Friday, November 7, 2025
No menu items!
Newsletter
type here...
Home Blog Page 2

Trump Keeps Beijing Guessing with Warning on Taiwan (WATCH)

Keely Compson
-
0
Trump Keeps Beijing Guessing with Warning on Taiwan (WATCH)

Key Takeaways

  • Firm Warning to Beijing: President Trump told CBS’s “60 Minutes” that China “knows the consequences” of taking military action against Taiwan, signaling a strong deterrent posture without revealing specifics.
  • No Taiwan Discussion at Summit: Trump said the topic of Taiwan never came up during his recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, emphasizing that Xi “understands” U.S. resolve on the matter.
  • Peace Through Strength: Trump underscored his belief in deterrence backed by power, asserting that China would not take aggressive action “while President Trump is president.”

On Sunday, President Donald Trump made it clear that China understands exactly what would happen if it ever launched an invasion of Taiwan during his presidency.

In an interview on CBS News’s “60 Minutes,” Trump was pressed by host Norah O’Donnell on whether he would defend Taiwan if Beijing moved against the self-governing island. The president did not lay out a specific strategy but made it clear that China knows better than to test him.

“You’ll find out if it happens, and he understands the answer to that,” Trump said confidently.

The comments come just days after Trump’s first face-to-face meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in six years. The two leaders announced a series of economic and security agreements last week following their talks in South Korea, including measures to reduce tariffs, address fentanyl exports, and keep rare earth minerals flowing to U.S. industries.

Trump revealed that Taiwan was not discussed during the meeting, a detail that raised eyebrows among analysts but underscored his point that Xi knows where the red lines are.

“This never even came up yesterday as a subject. He never brought it up,” Trump said. “People were a little surprised at that. He never brought it up because he understands it, and he understands it very well.”

When pressed on what “consequences” he was referring to, Trump declined to elaborate, saying he was not interested in revealing U.S. strategy.

“I don’t want to give away, I can’t give away my secrets,” Trump said. “I don’t want to be one of these guys that tells you exactly what’s going to happen if something happens. The other side knows, but I’m not somebody that tells you everything because you’re asking me a question.”

Trump ended the interview by stressing that deterrence is strongest when backed by credibility, not weakness. “They know the consequences,” he said. “They would never do anything while President Trump is president, because they know what would happen.”

Once again, Trump’s message to America’s adversaries was clear: peace through strength works.

Bessent Signals SNAP Payments Could Resume This Week

Keely Compson
-
0
Bessent Signals SNAP Payments Could Resume This Week

Key Takeaways

  • Benefits Could Resume Soon: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits could restart as early as Wednesday, depending on legal clearance.
  • Democrats Blamed for Funding Delays: The U.S. Department of Agriculture stated that “the well has run dry,” citing Senate Democrats for blocking multiple efforts to fund SNAP during the government shutdown.
  • Trump Prioritizes Feeding Americans: President Trump said he will act once given proper legal authority, vowing not to let Americans go hungry while Democrats stall reopening the government.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Sunday that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits could resume as soon as this week, offering hope for millions of Americans affected by the ongoing government shutdown.

“There’s a process that has to be followed, so we’ve got to figure out what the process is,” Bessent told CNN’s Jake Tapper on “State of the Union.” When asked if benefits could restart by Wednesday, Bessent replied, “Could be.”

His comments came after President Trump said Friday he would fund SNAP if given clear legal authority. A federal judge recently directed the administration to use an emergency fund for the program, but conflicting court rulings have created uncertainty over how to proceed.

“Our Government lawyers do not think we have the legal authority to pay SNAP with certain monies we have available, and now two Courts have issued conflicting opinions on what we can and cannot do,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I do NOT want Americans to go hungry just because the Radical Democrats refuse to do the right thing and REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT.”

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, funding for the program ran out on Saturday. The department’s website stated that “the well has run dry,” pointing the finger at Senate Democrats for blocking multiple attempts to restore funding. “Senate Democrats have now voted 13 times to not fund the food stamp program,” the USDA page said.

About 40 million Americans rely on SNAP for assistance. Officials estimate that $5.25 billion remains in emergency reserves for November, far short of the $9.2 billion needed to fully fund the program.

Bessent’s remarks suggest the administration could soon find a legal path forward to restore benefits. While Democrats stall, the Trump administration is once again focused on solutions that put American families first and keep the nation’s most vulnerable citizens fed.

Trump Secures Landmark Trade Pact with China

Keely Compson
-
0
Trump Secures Landmark Trade Pact with China

Key Takeaways

  • Fentanyl Flow Halted: China agreed to stop the export of chemicals used to make fentanyl and enforce strict global controls, a move aimed at cutting off a major source of America’s deadly opioid crisis.
  • Tariffs Trimmed, Agriculture Booms: In exchange for action on fentanyl and rare earths, the U.S. will lower certain tariffs while China suspends all retaliatory tariffs and resumes massive purchases of U.S. soybeans, meat, and other agricultural goods.
  • Securing Supply Chains and National Strength: Beijing’s suspension of rare earth export controls and reversal of tech restrictions gives U.S. industries critical breathing room—reinforcing economic independence and bolstering American manufacturing power.

President Donald Trump capped his Asia trip with yet another headline-making victory: a sweeping trade and economic agreement with China that rebalances relations and reinforces America’s economic strength. The deal, reached in South Korea during face-to-face talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, marks a breakthrough in trade, national security, and agricultural diplomacy — all without giving up an inch of American leverage.

The agreement delivers major wins for U.S. farmers, manufacturers, and consumers. China agreed to halt the flow of fentanyl precursors into the United States, lift all retaliatory tariffs on American goods, and resume large-scale agricultural purchases — including at least 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans by year’s end and 25 million tons annually through 2028. Beijing will also remove restrictions on key imports like pork, beef, chicken, and dairy, giving America’s heartland an immediate shot in the arm.

Just as importantly, China will suspend its export controls on rare earth elements — materials critical to everything from fighter jets to smartphones — a major relief for U.S. industries that depend on secure mineral supply chains. Beijing also pledged to drop retaliatory investigations targeting U.S. semiconductor firms and restore production at Nexperia facilities, helping stabilize the global chip market.

In return, the United States will lower certain tariffs related to fentanyl enforcement by 10 percentage points, keeping a baseline 10% reciprocal tariff in place while continuing negotiations. Washington also agreed to pause new restrictions on Chinese firms for one year, a move designed to give diplomacy room to work while maintaining American dominance in technology and shipbuilding.

“This is a massive win for America’s farmers, workers, and manufacturers,” a senior Trump administration official said, noting that the agreement strengthens both economic stability and national security.

The China deal rounds out Trump’s Asia tour, which also produced billions in new energy, technology, and manufacturing investments from Japan, Malaysia, and South Korea. It’s another example of the Trump doctrine in action — peace through strength, prosperity through negotiation, and American exceptionalism leading the global stage once again.

Trump Cuts Tariffs, Strikes Fentanyl and Rare Earth Deal with China

Keely Compson
-
0
Trump Cuts Tariffs, Strikes Fentanyl and Rare Earth Deal with China

Key Takeaways

  • Tariffs Trimmed in Exchange for Action: President Trump agreed to reduce tariffs on Chinese imports from 57% to 47% after Beijing pledged to crack down on the flow of fentanyl and resume large-scale U.S. soybean purchases.
  • Rare Earth Export Controls Suspended: China will pause new export restrictions on rare earth minerals for one year, preserving a critical supply chain for U.S. industries that rely on high-tech components.
  • Business and Security Win for America: The agreement stabilizes trade relations, supports U.S. farmers and manufacturers, and reinforces America’s negotiating power—while keeping pressure on Beijing to follow through.

President Donald Trump wrapped up his Asia tour with a high-stakes meeting in Busan, South Korea, where he struck a new trade agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping—one aimed at easing economic tensions while tackling two of America’s biggest concerns: fentanyl and rare earths.

Under the deal, the U.S. will shave tariffs on Chinese imports from 57% to 47%, including a halving of tariffs on fentanyl precursor drugs, in exchange for Beijing’s pledge to “work very hard to stop the flow” of the deadly synthetic opioid. Xi also agreed to resume U.S. soybean purchases and suspend export controls on rare earth minerals for one year, keeping critical supply chains stable for American manufacturers.

“It was an amazing meeting,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, calling it a “12 out of 10.” The agreement also delays for a year a measure restricting Chinese firms tied to sanctioned companies from accessing U.S. technology. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that China will purchase 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans by January and 25 million annually over the next three years. Beijing also approved U.S.-controlled ownership of TikTok and expressed interest in investing in Alaska’s $44 billion LNG project.

Trump’s deal offers what analysts describe as a “temporary calm” in an ongoing trade war. While global markets reacted cautiously, business leaders welcomed the breathing room. “The tariff cut in exchange for a promised fentanyl crackdown buys temporary calm, but it’s transactional relief—not a structural reset,” said Craig Singleton of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

Critics like Sen. Chuck Schumer dismissed the agreement, claiming “Trump folded on China.” But the president’s supporters argue the deal reinforces America’s leverage through pragmatic diplomacy. As Trump put it, “We’re not playing games with them, and they’re not playing games with us either.”

South Korea Joins Melania Trump’s Global Tech Initiative for Children

Keely Compson
-
0
South Korea Joins Melania Trump’s Global Tech Initiative for Children

Key Takeaways

  • Global Tech Partnership Formed: The Republic of Korea joined Melania Trump’s “Fostering the Future Together” initiative, marking the first U.S.-Korea Technology Prosperity Deal aimed at promoting education, innovation, and child protection through technology.
  • Focus on AI and Youth Empowerment: The initiative seeks to responsibly integrate artificial intelligence and emerging technologies into classrooms and family life while safeguarding children from online dangers.
  • White House Summit Planned for 2026: Mrs. Trump will host the inaugural coalition meeting at the White House next year, uniting first spouses and world leaders to share ideas on advancing youth well-being and digital literacy worldwide.

First Lady Melania Trump announced Wednesday that the Republic of Korea has officially joined her global “Fostering the Future Together” initiative through a new U.S.-Korea Technology Prosperity Deal — a first-of-its-kind agreement aimed at empowering children worldwide through technology, innovation, and education.

“I am proud that the Republic of Korea is joining my global coalition to empower children through the promotion of technology, innovation, and education,” Mrs. Trump said. “As a longstanding leader in technological advancement, the Republic of Korea will offer invaluable insights to the participating nations in the Fostering the Future Together initiative.”

The partnership, developed by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy alongside the Office of the First Lady, was signed during President Donald J. Trump’s latest visit to Asia. It deepens U.S.-Korea cooperation on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies while promoting the responsible use of technology to protect youth from online threats.

Launched during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Fostering the Future Together is a growing coalition of first spouses working to harness advanced technologies for the benefit of children, parents, and educators. Major tech companies have pledged to provide AI-based learning and safety tools to participating nations at no or low cost.

Mrs. Trump will host the inaugural Fostering the Future Together summit at the White House in 2026, bringing together coalition members to share insights and policy recommendations.

Building on her signature BE BEST initiative, Mrs. Trump’s new global effort continues her focus on equipping the next generation for success while ensuring digital innovation serves the well-being of children worldwide.

Senate GOP Breaks with Trump, Votes to Repeal Tariffs

Keely Compson
-
0
Senate GOP Breaks with Trump, Votes to Repeal Tariffs

Key Takeaways

  • Bipartisan Tariff Repeal Passes Senate: The Senate voted to terminate President Trump’s global tariffs, with four Republicans — Rand Paul, Mitch McConnell, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski — joining Democrats in the symbolic rebuke.
  • Little Practical Impact Expected: The measure is unlikely to advance in the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson supports Trump’s trade policy. Even if it did, Trump is expected to veto any attempt to curb his tariff authority.
  • Sharp Divide on Trade Philosophy: While critics like McConnell argue tariffs “make both building and buying in America more expensive,” Trump’s allies maintain they strengthen U.S. manufacturing, restore fair trade, and protect American jobs.

The Senate narrowly passed a resolution Thursday to repeal President Donald Trump’s global tariffs — a move championed by Democrats and joined by four Republicans who broke ranks with their party to side against the administration’s aggressive trade agenda.

The resolution, sponsored by Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, was supported by fellow Republicans Mitch McConnell (Ky.), Susan Collins (Maine), and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska). The measure aims to terminate the national emergency Trump invoked on April 2 — which the president called “Liberation Day” — to authorize sweeping reciprocal tariffs on countries across the globe, including close allies such as Japan, South Korea, and members of the European Union.

It’s the second time the Senate has considered the proposal. A similar attempt failed in April after Vice President J.D. Vance cast a tie-breaking vote against it. McConnell and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), who both missed that earlier vote, were key to Thursday’s narrow passage.

While the resolution’s passage is symbolic — Speaker Mike Johnson has no plans to bring it up in the House, and Trump would veto it immediately — it marks a political win for the small but vocal anti-tariff faction on Capitol Hill.

Sen. Ron Wyden, the lead Democratic sponsor, claimed Trump’s tariffs are driving inflation. “American families are being squeezed by prices going up and up and up,” he said, arguing that household costs have climbed by more than $100 a month.

McConnell also criticized the tariffs earlier this week, warning that “tariffs make both building and buying in America more expensive.” He added that “the economic harms of trade wars are not the exception to history, but the rule.”

Trump’s allies, however, insist the tariffs are working — reviving domestic manufacturing, creating leverage in trade talks, and reinforcing America’s economic independence. For now, the debate is as much political as it is economic — and Trump’s veto pen guarantees this one ends on his terms.

Treasury Chief SCORCHES Senate Dems: “You Are Failures”

Keely Compson
-
0
Treasury Chief SCORCHES Senate Dems: “You Are Failures”

Key Takeaways

  • Bessent Goes on Offense: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called out Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar as “failures” for blocking government funding and harming American farmers, urging them to “stop writing incoherent letters” and reopen the government.
  • Trump’s Trade Wins Highlighted: Bessent defended the administration’s economic progress, pointing to China’s new agreement to buy up to 25 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans annually and President Trump’s Asia trip, which he said could generate $2 trillion in new investment.
  • Sharp Contrast with Biden Era: In a fiery postscript, Bessent mocked the Biden administration’s “autopenned efforts to bankrupt the U.S. government,” reminding Democrats that “profit” is a word from the private sector — one they might want to learn.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent isn’t holding back. In a late-night social media post Wednesday, he slammed Senate Democrats Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar as “failures,” accusing them of “writing incoherent letters” instead of reopening the government and supporting American farmers.

“@SenWarren and @SenAmyKlobuchar: you are failures,” Bessent wrote on X. “You failed to derail the electoral success of one of our great allies in Latin America, President @JMilei. He won in a landslide with the poorest members of society voting for economic freedom—a notion anathema in particular to the Senate’s resident American Peronist, Senator Warren.”

Bessent went on to accuse the senators of blocking aid to U.S. farmers and stalling the administration’s plans to activate the Farm Credit Agency to assist with next year’s crops. He warned that keeping the government closed through Thanksgiving would “ruin the number one travel day for American families” and said they “should both be ashamed.”

The remarks followed a letter from Senate Democrats accusing Bessent of prioritizing foreign governments over U.S. farmers. Bessent dismissed the charge, pointing instead to a new deal struck with China to purchase 12 million metric tons of American soybeans this season, with another 25 million expected annually over the next three years.

He also highlighted President Trump’s ongoing Asia trip, posting a photo of the president at the APEC summit and claiming the trip could yield “$2 trillion worth of investments into the U.S.”

In a parting shot, Bessent mocked the Biden administration’s economic record. “While ‘profit’ is a private sector word that you may both be unfamiliar with,” he wrote, “I would urge you to look past your previous experience working alongside the Biden Administration’s autopenned efforts to bankrupt the U.S. government.”

Klobuchar fired back online, calling Bessent’s remarks “jet-lagged,” but it’s clear the Treasury secretary has no plans to tone it down.

Nuclear Testing’s Back on the Menu, Boys!

Keely Compson
-
0
Nuclear Testing’s Back on the Menu, Boys!

Key Takeaways

  • Resuming Nuclear Tests After 30 Years: President Trump directed the Defense Department to restart nuclear weapons testing, ending a three-decade pause in explosive testing that began in 1992.
  • Global Deterrence and Power Balance: The move comes amid escalating tensions with China and Russia, both of which have recently tested advanced nuclear systems. Trump says America must remain unmatched in deterrence capability.
  • Peace Through Strength: Trump emphasized that while he “hated to do it,” testing is necessary to ensure U.S. nuclear readiness and maintain global stability — a hallmark of his “peace through strength” doctrine.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday ordered the Defense Department to immediately begin testing U.S. nuclear weapons “on an equal basis” with China and Russia, signaling a dramatic shift in America’s deterrence strategy as global tensions rise.

“The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office. Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years.”

The announcement came just hours before Trump’s highly anticipated meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea—his first face-to-face since 2019. The president ignored questions about the move during the meeting, offering no public comment as reporters were escorted out.

The U.S. hasn’t conducted explosive nuclear tests since 1992, relying instead on advanced computer modeling to maintain its arsenal. But Trump’s team has long argued that deterrence must be backed by real-world testing. Former national security adviser Robert C. O’Brien wrote in 2024 that “Washington must test new nuclear weapons for reliability and safety in the real world… not just by using computer models.”

The move follows recent provocations from Russia, which claimed last week to have successfully tested a nuclear-capable cruise missile with a range of 8,700 miles, and an underwater nuclear drone with a compact reactor.

Trump condemned the Russian test as “inappropriate,” emphasizing that the Kremlin should focus on ending the war in Ukraine rather than posturing with new weapons. “You’ve got to get the war ended,” Trump said Monday. “We test missiles all the time. They’re not playing games with us, and we’re not playing games with them either.”

Trump’s directive reasserts America’s stance as a deterrence leader—making clear that peace is best preserved through strength.

Global Auto Industry on Edge as China Chokes Chip Supply

Keely Compson
-
0
Global Auto Industry on Edge as China Chokes Chip Supply

Key Takeaways

  • Political Roots of the Shortage: Beijing’s export ban on Dutch chipmaker Nexperia has triggered a fresh global supply crisis, highlighting how geopolitics—not just market forces—now shape industrial production.
  • Automakers Sound the Alarm: Major carmakers including Nissan, Honda, and Mercedes-Benz warn of looming production halts, with some factories already pausing operations as chip inventories dwindle.
  • Globalization’s Weak Spot Exposed: Industry leaders say the crisis underscores the risks of over-reliance on adversarial nations for critical technology, renewing calls for domestic manufacturing and resilient supply chains.

Global automakers are once again in scramble mode — not because of labor strikes or tariffs this time, but because of a deepening semiconductor crunch with political fingerprints all over it.

Beijing has banned exports of chips from Dutch firm Nexperia after the Netherlands seized control of the company last month, citing national security concerns over its Chinese parent, Wingtech. The move has rippled through the auto industry, threatening production lines from Tokyo to Detroit.

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association warned Wednesday that “supplies are rapidly dwindling,” adding that reserve stocks will only last for weeks. Nissan, Mercedes-Benz, and Honda are all bracing for production disruptions, with Honda already suspending operations in Mexico and scaling back in North America.

“It’s a big issue,” Nissan’s Chief Performance Officer Guillaume Cartier said at the Japan Mobility Show. “For the moment we don’t have full visibility.” He added that while the company has enough chips through early November, the uncertainty grows further down the supply chain.

Even electric vehicle makers aren’t immune. Lucid CEO Marc Winterhoff said engineers are scrambling to source alternatives, while Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kaellenius told reporters that “this is different from the last chip crisis because now the issue is rooted in politics and will require a political solution.”

Kaellenius pointed out that modern vehicles rely on parts sourced from “pretty much all five continents,” a reminder that the globalized supply chain remains vulnerable to geopolitical tension.

While General Motors insists it has avoided production hits so far, analysts warn that smaller manufacturers could face shutdowns within weeks. The crisis underscores a lesson free-market advocates have long emphasized: dependence on adversarial regimes for critical materials and components is a national security risk as much as an economic one.

123...145Page 2 of 145

Links

Stay connected

Newsletter Signup

- Advertisement -

© America First News | All rights reserved.