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EU, Canada Prepare Retaliation as Trump Raises Steel, Aluminum Tariffs

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President Donald Trump imposed a blanket 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports Monday, eliminating previous exemptions and sparking immediate pushback from key U.S. trading partners.

The new measures, taking effect March 4, remove country-specific exceptions and product exclusions that had allowed millions of tons of metals to enter the United States duty-free from nations including Canada, Brazil, Mexico and South Korea.

“It’s 25% without exceptions or exemptions. That’s all countries, no matter where it comes from,” Trump told reporters at the White House. The aluminum rate increased from his previous 10% levy.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU would respond with “firm and proportionate countermeasures” to protect its interests. EU steel exports to the U.S. have averaged about 3 billion euros ($3.1 billion) annually over the past decade.

The EU could revive previously suspended tariffs on U.S. products including bourbon, motorcycles and orange juice. Those measures, originally imposed in 2018, are currently suspended until March’s end.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, speaking at the Paris artificial intelligence summit, called the tariffs “unacceptable” and promised a strong response if needed. Canada provides nearly 80% of U.S. primary aluminum imports.

Trump announced plans to implement a North American standard requiring steel to be “melted and poured” and aluminum to be “smelted and cast” within the region, aiming to prevent Chinese and Russian metals from circumventing existing trade restrictions.

The move sent gold prices to a record $2,942.70 in Asian trading Tuesday before settling at $2,909.49, up 0.1% at 0916 GMT.

Steel imports represented approximately 23% of American steel consumption in 2023, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute, with Canada, Brazil and Mexico serving as the largest suppliers.

Trump indicated he would announce reciprocal tariffs on countries imposing duties on U.S. goods in the coming days, adding he’s considering additional tariffs on cars, semiconductors and pharmaceuticals.

Tags: international trade, tariffs, Donald Trump, European Union, Canada, steel industry, aluminum industry, trade policy, global markets, metal imports

71-Year-Old Woman Survives After Truck Runs Over Her Head on Daytona Beach

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A 71-year-old New York woman survived having her head run over by a truck while sitting in a beach chair at Daytona Beach, authorities reported.

The incident occurred near the Silver Beach Avenue beach ramp on February 5, when a Chevrolet Colorado driven by an 84-year-old woman struck the victim while exiting a parking spot, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.

The driver, who was not identified by authorities, told investigators she was unaware she had struck anyone until a witness chased her down. She remained at the scene and cooperated with law enforcement.

“Hurry up. They ran over her head,” the victim’s husband told 911 dispatchers, according to local media outlet WESH 2. “She’s talking but she’s not alright.”

Despite the severity of the incident, the victim was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening head injuries and remains in stable condition.

The sheriff’s office confirmed Monday that the investigation into the incident continues, with no additional updates available.

The unusual accident highlights ongoing concerns about vehicle access and safety on Florida’s beaches, where cars are permitted to drive on certain sections of sand.

Teen Killed, 6 Adults Wounded in Los Angeles House Party Shooting

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A 16-year-old boy was killed and six adults were wounded when gunfire erupted at a large house party in suburban Los Angeles early Sunday morning, police reported.

The shooting occurred around 1:30 a.m. in Tarzana, a San Fernando Valley community located about 20 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Los Angeles Police Department officers responded to reports of gunfire and discovered a massive gathering of 200-300 people at the residence.

Officers found the teenage victim lying in the driveway with gunshot wounds. The Los Angeles Fire Department pronounced him dead at the scene. Officials are withholding the victim’s identity pending family notification.

Six adults also suffered gunshot wounds and were transported to local hospitals. The injured include two 36-year-old men and a 20-year-old man taken by ambulance, while a 37-year-old man, a 19-year-old man, and a 20-year-old woman reached hospitals by private vehicles. Their conditions remain unknown.

“Some sort of altercation occurred which resulted in multiple shots being fired,” LAPD Lt. Guy Golan told KTLA-TV. Police have not established a motive for the shooting. The shooter remains at large as of Monday morning. LAPD urges anyone with information to contact their Valley Bureau homicide division or submit anonymous tips through LA Crime Stoppers

Trump Demands $500B in Rare Earths from Ukraine for Continued U.S. Support

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President Donald Trump has demanded that Ukraine provide $500 billion worth of rare earth minerals in exchange for continued U.S. financial and military support, signaling a transactional shift in American foreign aid policy. 

In an interview with Fox News on Monday, Trump said the U.S. should receive a share of Ukraine’s vast natural resources as compensation for the aid provided to Kyiv in its fight against Russia. 

“I told them [Ukraine] that I want the equivalent of $500 billion worth of rare earth. And they’ve essentially agreed to do that so at least we don’t feel stupid,” Trump said. “Otherwise, we’re stupid. I said to them, ‘We have to get something. We can’t continue to pay this money.’” 

Ukraine possesses significant reserves of critical minerals, including lithium, titanium, and rare earth elements essential for modern technology and defense industries. Additionally, it has extensive coal, oil, gas, and uranium deposits, though many are located in Russian-controlled territories. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has floated the idea of allowing U.S. companies to develop the country’s resources as part of Ukraine’s broader “victory plan.” This strategy, introduced last year, aims to leverage economic and security policies to maintain Western support and achieve a just peace with Russia. 

“The Americans helped the most, and therefore the Americans should earn the most,” Zelensky said in an interview with Reuters on Friday. “I would also like to talk about this with President Trump.” 

Trump has previously expressed interest in securing Ukraine’s mineral wealth to counter China’s dominance in the global rare earth market. Earlier this month, he stated in the Oval Office, “We’re looking to do a deal with Ukraine where they’re going to secure what we’re giving them with their rare earths and other things.” 

The remarks have drawn international criticism, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz denouncing Trump’s approach as “very egotistic, very self-centered.” 

As Ukraine continues to rely on Western military and economic assistance, Trump’s demand for compensation marks a significant shift in U.S. policy, raising questions about the future of American support for Kyiv and the geopolitical competition for critical resources. 

Trump Orders Pause on Foreign Bribery Law Enforcement, Drawing Criticism- Reuters

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President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday directing the Justice Department to suspend enforcement of a landmark anti-bribery law, marking a significant shift in U.S. efforts to combat international corruption.

The order temporarily halts prosecutions under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), a 1977 law prohibiting U.S. companies from bribing foreign officials. Attorney General Pam Bondi has been instructed to review past enforcement actions and develop new guidelines.

“It’s going to mean a lot more business for America,” Trump said during the Oval Office signing ceremony. The president, who previously called FCPA a “horrible law,” had attempted to strike down the legislation during his first term.

The White House released a factsheet claiming the law creates “an uneven playing field” for American companies competing internationally. According to the document, 26 FCPA-related enforcement actions were filed in 2024, with 31 companies under investigation by year’s end.

Anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International strongly criticized the move. “This diminishes – and could pave the way for completely eliminating – the crown jewel in the U.S.’s fight against global corruption,” said Gary Kalman, executive director of Transparency International U.S.

The law has previously led to investigations of major corporations including Goldman Sachs, Glencore, and Walmart. The administration’s new directive calls for “revised, reasonable enforcement guidelines” aimed at reducing barriers for U.S. businesses operating abroad.

The suspension marks a dramatic departure from decades of American leadership in combating international business corruption.

First US Lawsuit Filed Against Tate Brothers Over Sex Work Allegations

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A 23-year-old American woman has filed the first United States lawsuit against internet personalities Andrew and Tristan Tate, accusing them of attempting to coerce her into sex work and subsequent defamation, according to court documents filed Monday in Florida.

The plaintiff, proceeding anonymously as Jane Doe, alleges the brothers tried to lure her to Romania and later engaged in harassment following her testimony to Romanian authorities. The court granted anonymity to Doe and her parents citing safety concerns, the New York Times reported.

The civil complaint comes amid ongoing legal challenges facing the Tate brothers in multiple jurisdictions. The brothers had previously filed a defamation suit against the woman in 2023, which she characterizes in her filing as an attempt to “bully and harass” her.

Joseph D. McBride, attorney for the Tate brothers, told the Times there was no evidence supporting human trafficking allegations against his clients, maintaining their innocence.

The brothers face separate criminal investigations in Romania, where Andrew Tate was recently released from house arrest to a lighter preventative measure. A previous criminal case collapsed in December when the Bucharest Court of Appeals ruled against proceeding to trial.

The Tates, former kickboxers with dual U.S. and British citizenship, are among the highest-profile suspects in Romanian human trafficking investigations. They face accusations including forming an organized criminal group, human trafficking, and money laundering. Both have consistently denied all wrongdoing.

Representatives for the Tate brothers were not immediately available for comment on the Florida lawsuit.

Reuters

Russia Sets Firm Conditions for Ukraine Peace Talks Following Trump’s Remarks on Putin Contact

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Russia has reinforced its firm stance on Ukraine peace negotiations, insisting that President Vladimir Putin’s demands must be fully met before the war can end. The statement follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments suggesting potential contact with Putin. 

Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov emphasized that Moscow will not compromise on its conditions, set out by Putin in June 2023. These include Ukraine abandoning its NATO ambitions and withdrawing troops from four regions claimed by Russia. 

“The political solution as we envisage it cannot be achieved otherwise than through the full implementation of what was pronounced by President Putin,” Ryabkov told reporters in Moscow. “The sooner the U.S., Britain, and others understand this, the closer we will be to a resolution.” 

Trump Hints at Putin Contact, Kremlin Remains Silent

Trump, who has repeatedly pledged to end the war swiftly, told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday that he had spoken with Putin but did not provide details. 

“I’ve had it. Let’s just say I’ve had it,” Trump said when asked about direct communication with the Russian leader. 

The Kremlin declined to confirm or deny any contact between the two leaders. However, Moscow quickly reaffirmed its conditions for peace, signaling an uncompromising approach to negotiations. 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reinforced Moscow’s position, stating that Russia is ready for talks only if its national security interests are upheld. He pointed to what Moscow views as the “fundamental reasons” behind the conflict, including Ukraine’s NATO aspirations and alleged suppression of Russian language and culture. 

Ukraine has previously rejected Putin’s conditions, calling them tantamount to surrender. Kyiv remains committed to regaining lost territory and pursuing NATO membership. 

The war, which began in 2014 following Russia’s annexation of Crimea and escalated into a full-scale invasion in 2022, remains the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II. Moscow currently controls about 20% of Ukraine, including Crimea and four regions in eastern and southern Ukraine. 

U.S. Approach to Ukraine and Future Negotiations 

Despite Trump’s calls for a swift resolution, Ryabkov said Russia has not observed a significant shift in U.S. policy toward Ukraine. He warned that Moscow would not accept negotiations framed as ultimatums. 

“Without solving the problems which were the root causes of what is happening, it will not be possible to reach an agreement,” Ryabkov said. “Variations and half-measures are not the path we are prepared to go along.” 

Western nations, led by the U.S., have continued to support Ukraine with military aid and financial assistance, arguing that Russia’s invasion constitutes an illegal land grab. The Biden administration has supplied billions of dollars in military equipment, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed rare earth mineral exports to the U.S. in exchange for further aid. 

Putin remains open to discussing a peace deal with Trump but has ruled out major territorial concessions and insists that Kyiv abandon its NATO ambitions, according to a Reuters report in November. 

As geopolitical tensions remain high, all eyes are on how Trump, Putin, and other global leaders will navigate the complex path toward a potential resolution. 

Trump Raises Tariffs on Steel, Aluminum Imports, Escalating Trade Tensions

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President Donald Trump signed an order Monday increasing tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 25%, eliminating previous exemptions and quota agreements. The move is intended to support struggling U.S. manufacturers but risks escalating global trade tensions. 

A White House official confirmed that the new tariffs, which take effect March 4, will apply to millions of tons of imported metals from Canada, Brazil, Mexico, South Korea, and other nations that previously benefited from carve-outs. 

“It’s 25% without exceptions or exemptions,” Trump told reporters. “That’s all countries, no matter where it comes from.” 

The action extends Trump’s 2018 Section 232 tariffs, originally imposed on national security grounds. The administration argues that past exemptions weakened the tariffs’ effectiveness in protecting domestic industries. 

In addition to removing country-specific exemptions, the policy introduces a North American standard requiring steel to be “melted and poured” and aluminum to be “smelted and cast” within the region. Officials say this measure is aimed at curbing imports of partially processed Chinese and Russian metals that circumvent existing trade restrictions. 

The new tariffs will also affect downstream products that use foreign-made steel, including fabricated structural steel, aluminum extrusions, and steel strands used in construction. 

“This will put an end to foreign dumping, boost domestic production, and secure our steel and aluminum industries,” White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said. 

Canada, the largest supplier of U.S. aluminum imports, denounced the tariffs as “totally unjustified.” Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne said Canadian steel and aluminum are crucial to key U.S. sectors, including defense, shipbuilding, energy, and automobiles. 

“We are consulting with our international partners,” Champagne said. “Our response will be clear and calibrated.” 

Although China exports minimal steel directly to the U.S., American officials blame Chinese overproduction for global supply chain disruptions. The U.S. argues that subsidized Chinese steel increases supply worldwide, forcing other nations to export more to the U.S. 

In response to the tariff announcement, Chinese steel stocks fell, while U.S. steel and aluminum companies saw gains. 

Trump first imposed steel and aluminum tariffs in 2018 under a Cold War-era national security law. He later granted exemptions for Canada, Mexico, and Australia and established quota-based agreements with Brazil, South Korea, and Argentina. 

His successor, former President Joe Biden, renegotiated duty-free quotas for Britain, Japan, and the European Union. 

“We applaud the president for instituting these 25% tariffs,” said Philip Bell, president of the Steel Manufacturers Association. “This eliminates outdated exclusions, carve-outs, and quotas that no longer reflect today’s market.” 

The European Commission rejected the move, with officials stating there was “no justification” for the tariffs. President Ursula von der Leyen is scheduled to discuss trade concerns with U.S. Vice President JD Vance at an AI summit in Paris. 

Trump said he would follow Monday’s announcement with additional reciprocal tariffs on all countries that impose duties on U.S. goods. He also indicated he is considering tariffs on automobiles, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals. 

Trump has long criticized the EU’s 10% tariff on cars, which is higher than the U.S. rate of 2.5%. However, the U.S. maintains a 25% tariff on imported pickup trucks, a major profit driver for domestic automakers. 

Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is preparing tariff cuts ahead of a Wednesday meeting with Trump. The administration hopes the changes will boost U.S. exports to India. 

Trump has previously called India a “very big abuser” of trade policies, and economic adviser Kevin Hassett has criticized India’s high tariff rates. 

The president also warned that Canada and Mexico could face additional 25% tariffs if they do not take stronger measures to curb drug trafficking and illegal migration. These tariffs were temporarily paused after border security concessions but remain under review. 

U.S. aluminum smelters produced only 670,000 metric tons of aluminum last year, down from 3.7 million tons in 2000, highlighting the country’s reliance on imports. 

Steel imports made up 23% of American steel consumption in 2023, with Canada, Brazil, and Mexico supplying the largest volumes. 

As the global trade landscape shifts, industries and policymakers are watching closely to see how international partners respond to Trump’s latest tariff escalation. 

New Lawsuit Accuses Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs of 2022 Sexual Assault

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Sean “Diddy” Combs faces new sexual assault allegations in a lawsuit filed Monday, with an anonymous male musician claiming the imprisoned music mogul drugged and raped him in 2022.

The lawsuit, filed in New York County Supreme Court by attorney Tony Buzbee, alleges the incident occurred after the victim was approached while performing outside a Los Angeles nightclub in November 2022.

According to court documents, the plaintiff, identified as John Doe, claims he was invited to an “exclusive A-list birthday party” where Combs allegedly provided him with a drugged drink while promising help securing a recording contract. The lawsuit states the incapacitated victim was then “forcefully” coerced into performing oral sex before being raped.

Combs’s legal team strongly denied the allegations, calling them “facially ridiculous.” In a statement, his attorneys expressed “full confidence in the facts and the integrity of the judicial process,” maintaining that Combs “never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone.”

The music mogul remains in custody after being denied bond multiple times and faces trial on May 5 for separate sex trafficking and racketeering charges. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Buzbee, who claims to represent more than 100 alleged victims of Combs, recently filed additional lawsuits on behalf of two women alleging 1990s assaults. The attorney is simultaneously involved in litigation with Jay-Z, who has accused Buzbee of attempted extortion through threatened litigation.

The plaintiff seeks compensatory damages for physical injuries, emotional distress, and psychological harm, with the amount to be determined at trial.

Scottsdale, Arizona Planes Collide Kills One, Injures Others; FAA Investigating

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A private jet veered off the runway and collided with another aircraft Monday afternoon at Scottsdale Airport, leaving at least one person dead and others injured, officials said. 

Scottsdale Fire Department Captain Dave Folio confirmed that two injured individuals were transported to trauma centers, while one person remained in stable condition at a hospital. Emergency crews were still working to extricate a person trapped inside one of the planes. Folio stated that first responders were doing everything possible to save the individual. 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a statement confirming that a Learjet 35A veered off the runway after landing and crashed into a Gulfstream 200 business jet on the ramp. The incident occurred around 2:45 p.m. local time, leading the FAA to temporarily pause flights into the airport. Officials have not yet released further details on the cause of the crash or the number of people involved. 

The Scottsdale crash comes amid a series of recent aviation accidents across the United States. A commercial jetliner and an Army helicopter collided near Washington, D.C., resulting in multiple fatalities. A medical transport plane went down in Philadelphia, claiming several lives. A small commuter aircraft crashed in western Alaska, leaving no survivors. 

Scottsdale Airport remains closed following the collision. The FAA is leading the investigation, with further updates expected as officials assess the circumstances surrounding the crash.

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