Friday, November 7, 2025
No menu items!
Newsletter
type here...
Home Blog Page 6

Trump Hits the Gas on American Trucking with New Tariffs on Imports

Keely Compson
-
0
Trump Hits the Gas on American Trucking with New Tariffs on Imports

Key Takeaways

  • Protecting American Industry: President Trump’s new proclamation imposes tariffs of up to 25% on imported medium- and heavy-duty trucks and parts to strengthen domestic manufacturing and national security.
  • Boosting U.S. Jobs and Production: The plan incentivizes U.S. manufacturers with tariff offsets for producing trucks and engines domestically through 2030, ensuring American factories — not foreign suppliers — lead the industry.
  • Securing Critical Supply Chains: By reducing reliance on foreign truck and bus imports, the administration aims to safeguard essential transportation, military readiness, and infrastructure that power the American economy.

President Donald J. Trump is once again putting American industry first, this time targeting the nation’s trucking sector with a sweeping new proclamation designed to safeguard national security and revive domestic manufacturing.

On Thursday, the president invoked Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act to impose tariffs on imports of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, parts, and buses — a move the administration says will strengthen U.S. supply chains, protect critical infrastructure, and ensure military readiness.

The new policy includes a 25% tariff on imported medium- and heavy-duty trucks and parts, along with a 10% tariff on buses. The tariffs apply to vehicles like cargo trucks, dump trucks, and eighteen-wheeler tractors, and to key parts such as engines, transmissions, and chassis. Trucks built under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will face tariffs only on their foreign content, incentivizing manufacturers to increase American sourcing.

“Trucks and buses of all kinds are indispensable to military readiness, disaster response, and the continuity of America’s critical infrastructure,” the White House said. Imports currently make up 43% of all trucks sold in the U.S., with foreign suppliers dominating the parts market. Trump’s move seeks to reverse that imbalance and bring production back under American control.

The plan also includes tariff offsets — worth up to 3.75% of the total value of vehicles or engines assembled in the U.S. — to reward companies that manufacture domestically.

This latest action follows years of Trump administration efforts to rebuild the nation’s industrial base and ensure America is never dependent on foreign producers for essential goods. From steel to semiconductors, Trump’s “America First” trade strategy has consistently prioritized domestic strength over global appeasement.

As the president put it, only factories “here, on American soil, subject to American law,” can guarantee the reliability and resilience that the nation’s economy — and security — demand.

$13 Billion Power Move: Stellantis Expands American Operations Amid Tariffs

Keely Compson
-
0
$13 Billion Power Move: Stellantis Expands American Operations Amid Tariffs

Key Takeaways

  • Historic Investment: Stellantis announced a record-breaking $13 billion investment to expand U.S. manufacturing, the largest in the company’s history, creating more than 5,000 new jobs across four states.
  • America First Manufacturing: The automaker’s massive expansion underscores the success of President Trump’s reshoring agenda, with plants reopening in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana to boost production by 50%.
  • Reviving the Rust Belt: From the reopened Belvidere Assembly Plant to new engine production in Indiana, the investment strengthens the American auto industry and reaffirms the nation’s role as the global leader in manufacturing and innovation.

Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler, Jeep, and Ram, announced Tuesday it will pour $13 billion into expanding its U.S. manufacturing operations — the largest single investment in the automaker’s history. The move marks a major win for American industry and a validation of President Donald Trump’s ongoing effort to bring manufacturing jobs back home through his aggressive reshoring and tariff policies.

The investment will create more than 5,000 new jobs and launch production of five new vehicles across plants in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. It will also fund development of a new four-cylinder engine and significantly boost domestic output, increasing Stellantis’ annual vehicle production by 50%.

“Accelerating growth in the U.S. has been a top priority since my first day,” Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa said. “Success in America is not just good for Stellantis in the U.S. – it makes us stronger everywhere.”

The company’s plan includes reopening its Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois, which will add about 3,300 jobs to produce Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Compass models starting in 2027. In Ohio, Stellantis will invest nearly $400 million to shift production of an all-new midsize truck to its Toledo Assembly Complex, creating another 900 jobs. Michigan’s Warren Truck Assembly Plant will be retooled for an all-new range-extended electric and internal combustion engine SUV, adding roughly 900 more jobs.

In Indiana, Stellantis will invest $100 million in its Kokomo facilities to begin producing the GMET4 EVO engine by 2026, reinforcing America’s position as a powerhouse in advanced automotive engineering.

The company acknowledged that tariffs under Trump’s trade policies could cost roughly $1.7 billion this year, but executives said the reshoring push strengthens the company long-term. With 34 facilities across 14 states, Stellantis’ deepening U.S. footprint signals a strong vote of confidence in America’s industrial future — one powered by innovation, hard work, and economic independence.

Trump to Sit Down with Putin in Bid to End Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Keely Compson
-
0
Trump to Sit Down with Putin in Bid to End Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Key Takeaways

  • Trump-Putin Summit Set for Hungary: President Trump announced he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest to discuss ending the war in Ukraine following a “very constructive” phone call between the two leaders.
  • U.S. and Ukraine Coordination: Trump is scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House Friday to brief him on his talks with Putin and explore next steps toward a ceasefire and peace framework.
  • Russia Escalates Amid Peace Efforts: Ukraine reported one of the largest missile and drone attacks of the year shortly before Trump’s announcement, prompting Kyiv to accuse Moscow of choosing “missiles over dialogue.”

President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest, Hungary, to discuss ending the war in Ukraine — a move that could mark a major diplomatic turning point if successful.

The announcement came after a lengthy phone call between the two leaders, which Trump described as “very constructive.” “At the conclusion of the call, we agreed that there will be a meeting of our High Level Advisors next week,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “President Putin and I will then meet in an agreed upon location, Budapest, Hungary, to see if we can bring this ‘inglorious’ War, between Russia and Ukraine, to an end.”

The United States delegation will be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, joined by other senior officials. Trump also noted that he and Putin discussed future trade relations between the U.S. and Russia once the conflict concludes — signaling optimism that a diplomatic breakthrough could reset relations between the two nuclear powers.

The timing of the call was significant. Trump is scheduled to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Friday to discuss next steps and the details of his conversation with Putin. “I believe great progress was made with today’s telephone conversation,” Trump said.

Meanwhile, Ukraine accused Russia of escalating violence even as diplomatic talks advance. Ukrainian Ambassador Olga Stefanishyna said Russia launched one of its largest assaults of the year overnight, targeting multiple provinces with missiles and drones. “While discussions about ending the war continue, Russia once again chose missiles over dialogue,” she said.

Trump has repeatedly vowed to end the war “swiftly and peacefully,” but progress has been slow. His upcoming summit with Putin in Hungary — a NATO country led by Trump ally Viktor Orbán — could prove pivotal in determining whether diplomacy can finally bring the long-running conflict to a close.

Democrats Block Defense Bill as Shutdown Enters Third Week

Keely Compson
-
0
Democrats Block Defense Bill as Shutdown Enters Third Week

Key Takeaways

  • Democrats Block Military Funding: Senate Democrats voted 50-44 to block the $852 billion Defense appropriations bill, preventing military paychecks from being restored as the shutdown continues.
  • Bipartisan Support Ignored: Despite the bill’s strong 26-3 committee approval earlier this year, Democrats insisted it be tied to unrelated domestic spending measures for health and housing.
  • Trump Acts to Protect Troops: President Trump directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to use “all available funds” to pay service members, as frustration mounts over stalled negotiations in Congress.

As the government shutdown enters its third week, Senate Democrats on Thursday voted to block the $852 billion Defense appropriations bill — a measure that had sailed out of committee with overwhelming bipartisan support earlier this year. The move has deepened frustration on Capitol Hill and highlighted growing tensions as funding talks stall.

The bill failed in a 50-44 vote, falling short of the 60 votes needed to advance. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) had put the measure forward, calling it a critical step to ensure that America’s military service members receive paychecks while broader negotiations continue.

“If we can’t reopen the entire government, we can at least make some progress toward securing paychecks for our troops and for defending our country,” Thune said on the Senate floor before the vote.

Democrats, led by Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), objected to advancing the Defense bill without also voting on the Labor, Health and Human Services appropriations measure. “It’s always been unacceptable to Democrats to do the Defense bill without other bills that are important to the American people,” Schumer told reporters, citing healthcare and housing funding.

Three Democrats — Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire — broke with party leadership to vote in favor of the Defense measure.

The standoff comes as President Donald Trump has directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to use “all available funds” to ensure that troops continue to receive pay during the shutdown. Lawmakers from both parties, however, have asked for clarity on which accounts the administration is using to keep military pay flowing.

With the Senate set to adjourn until Monday, millions of Americans remain caught in the crossfire of a partisan showdown that shows no signs of slowing down — even as national security and military families hang in the balance.

Great American Rebuild: Manufacturing Boom Sparks Billions in New Investments

Keely Compson
-
0
Great American Rebuild: Manufacturing Boom Sparks Billions in New Investments

Key Takeaways

  • Billions in New Investments: Stellantis, Whirlpool, and GE Aerospace announced over $13 billion in combined investments to expand U.S. manufacturing, reopen plants, and create thousands of American jobs.
  • A Revival of the American Worker: President Trump’s policies have fueled record onshoring, with companies reinvesting in U.S. facilities instead of outsourcing abroad — strengthening middle-class communities.
  • America Leads Again: With major corporations returning home and new training programs preparing workers for the future, the U.S. is reasserting itself as the global leader in manufacturing and innovation.

America’s manufacturing engine is roaring back to life — and under President Donald Trump, it’s firing on all cylinders. In just the past week, several major corporations have announced massive investments in U.S. production, signaling a powerful resurgence in American industry and a renewed commitment to the workers who keep the nation’s economy strong.

Leading the charge is Stellantis, which announced a record-breaking $13 billion investment to expand its U.S. operations — the largest in company history. The automaker plans to reopen its Belvidere, Illinois plant, ramp up production in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana, and add 5,000 new jobs across its facilities. The expansion will include five new vehicle lines built proudly on American soil.

Whirlpool Corporation is also doubling down on American manufacturing, committing $300 million to upgrade its U.S. laundry facilities in Ohio. The investment will create 600 new jobs and strengthen the company’s position as a global leader in home appliances made by American hands.

Meanwhile, GE Aerospace is investing $30 million to launch a new workforce skills training initiative aimed at equipping American workers with advanced manufacturing expertise — a direct reflection of the Trump Administration’s focus on job training and domestic competitiveness.

These investments follow a string of similar announcements from major firms like Pfizer, GSK, and Hitachi — all part of a sweeping onshoring trend fueled by pro-growth, America-first economic policies.

After decades of outsourcing and political neglect, President Trump’s aggressive push for manufacturing revival is paying off. With billions flowing into new plants, new jobs, and new technologies, the message is clear: America is once again the world’s workshop — and this time, the products, profits, and prosperity are staying right here at home.

Soul on Fire: The True Story That’s Reigniting Hope in Hollywood

Keely Compson
-
0
Soul on Fire: The True Story That’s Reigniting Hope in Hollywood

Key Takeaways

  • A Story of Survival and Faith: At just nine years old, John O’Leary survived burns over his entire body, defying every medical expectation through faith, family, and perseverance.
  • Hollywood’s Return to Inspirational Storytelling: Director Sean McNamara captures O’Leary’s real-life journey in Soul on Fire, blending authenticity and emotion to remind audiences of the power of hope.
  • A Message That Transcends Generations: O’Leary hopes viewers leave the theater inspired to face their own challenges with courage—proving that even life’s darkest moments can ignite extraordinary purpose.

From director Sean McNamara, known for Reagan and Soul Surfer, the new Sony Pictures and Affirm Films release Soul on Fire tells the remarkable true story of John O’Leary, a man who turned tragedy into triumph. Based on O’Leary’s 2016 bestselling book On Fire, the film follows his journey from a devastating childhood accident to a life of purpose and inspiration.

At just 9 years old, O’Leary suffered burns over 100% of his body after a house fire nearly claimed his life. Doctors gave him no chance of survival, but through faith, family, and community support—including encouragement from Baseball Hall of Fame announcer Jack Buck—he overcame the impossible. His recovery and outlook on life have inspired millions around the world.

Watch the official trailer:

In a recent interview with Fintech TV, O’Leary shared that he was hesitant to let his story be turned into a movie. “I wanted to live an ordinary life,” he said, but his growing passion for public speaking and helping others led him to embrace the project. He became actively involved in production, ensuring the film stayed true to his story, even being filmed in meaningful locations like his childhood home and the church where he married his wife.

Check it out:

O’Leary hopes audiences walk away from Soul on Fire with renewed faith in hope, love, and resilience. “What a gift,” his late father told him after seeing the film—words that perfectly capture the heart of a story that proves miracles still happen.

Trump Cracks Down on Federal Hiring, Expands Accountability Across Agencies

Keely Compson
-
0
Trump Cracks Down on Federal Hiring, Expands Accountability Across Agencies

Key Takeaways

  • Federal Hiring Under Tight Scrutiny: The order requires agencies to form Strategic Hiring Committees and submit annual staffing plans to ensure every position aligns with the administration’s national priorities.
  • Focus on Security, Not Bureaucracy: Exceptions to the hiring restrictions include national security, immigration enforcement, and public safety roles — reaffirming Trump’s emphasis on protecting Americans first.
  • Efficiency Over Expansion: The order builds on Trump’s earlier workforce reduction initiative, which has already surpassed its target ratio of four departures for every new hire, signaling a continued push for smaller, more efficient government.

President Donald Trump signed a sweeping new executive order on Wednesday aimed at tightening control over federal hiring, capping the size of the government workforce, and holding agencies accountable for how they spend taxpayer dollars.

The order, titled Ensuring Continued Accountability in Federal Hiring, builds on Trump’s earlier “Department of Government Efficiency” initiative, which set a goal of cutting four federal positions for every new hire. According to the White House, that ratio has already been surpassed, with thousands of bureaucratic positions eliminated in less than a year.

“In just eight months, my Administration has dramatically reduced the size of the Federal workforce,” the order states, touting a leaner, more efficient government that prioritizes national security, border control, and public safety over what Trump has called “bloated bureaucracy.”

Under the new policy, federal agencies will now face strict oversight before filling any open positions. Each department must form a Strategic Hiring Committee to review and approve vacancies, ensuring that every hire aligns with national priorities and serves the public interest. Agencies will also be required to submit detailed annual staffing plans to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), along with quarterly progress reports.

The order exempts military personnel and roles tied to national security, immigration enforcement, and public safety — areas Trump has prioritized since returning to office.

A senior administration official told reporters the order is about “restoring merit, cutting waste, and making sure federal hiring works for the American people, not the bureaucrats.”

The move comes as part of Trump’s broader effort to rein in federal spending and shrink Washington’s footprint. The administration has also placed new restrictions on contractors and outside hiring, preventing agencies from outsourcing work to bypass the reforms.

Trump’s order concludes that the measure will not affect veterans’ benefits, Medicare, or Social Security services, ensuring that critical programs remain protected while the government trims inefficiency elsewhere.

By placing hiring power back in the hands of accountable leadership, the administration says it aims to restore fiscal discipline and efficiency to a federal workforce that has ballooned over decades of unchecked growth.

Labor Department Warns of Rising Food Prices

Keely Compson
-
0
Labor Department Warns of Rising Food Prices

Key Takeaways

  • Labor Shortages Threaten Food Supply: The Labor Department says deportations and tougher border enforcement are reducing the farm labor pool, warning that farmers may struggle to meet demand for fresh produce.
  • White House Defends Immigration Crackdown: Trump officials say the focus is on enforcing the law and reforming outdated visa programs, ensuring farmers have access to a lawful, stable workforce without depending on illegal labor.
  • Food Prices Already Climbing: Grocery costs have risen between 0.2 and 0.4 percent each month since January. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says tariff revenues could be used to help offset higher production costs.

The Labor Department is warning that the Trump administration’s mass deportation efforts could cause an increase in food prices, pointing to labor shortages across the agriculture industry as the country faces growing demand for fresh produce.

In an interim rule published in the Federal Register, the department argued that the decline in immigrant labor will “exacerbate [an] already pressing mismatch in the agricultural labor market and deprive growers of a relatively cheaper labor supply on which they have become economically reliant.” The report claims that, even with rising wages, “there is no indication that unemployed or marginally attached U.S. workers are entering the agricultural labor force in meaningful numbers.”

In short, the Labor Department says farmers could face trouble harvesting crops without immigrant labor. “Without swift action, agricultural employers will be unable to maintain operations, and the nation’s food supply will be at risk,” the rule reads.

The department proposed lowering pay rates for seasonal agricultural workers with H-2A visas to stabilize the market and keep farms running. Roughly one in five U.S. agricultural workers currently hold these visas, which allow foreign laborers to work in the United States temporarily.

The White House pushed back on the department’s warnings, defending the administration’s decision to enforce immigration law and reform the nation’s broken visa system. “Our immigration system has been broken for decades, and we finally have a President who is enforcing the law and prioritizing fixing programs farmers and ranchers rely on to produce the safest and most productive food supply in the world,” a senior White House official told The Hill.

Food prices have been climbing between 0.2 and 0.4 percent each month since January, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The Agriculture Department, led by Secretary Brooke Rollins, has suggested that tariff revenue could be used to help offset higher farm costs.

Rollins said last month, “We are working with our colleagues in Congress and closely monitoring markets daily to evaluate the amount of additional assistance that might be needed this fall.”

The administration maintains that restoring law and order at the border — while supporting lawful pathways for workers — is key to ensuring the long-term stability of America’s food supply and economic security.

Biggest Crypto Takedown Ever: DOJ Busts $15 Billion “Pig Butchering” Scheme

Keely Compson
-
0
Biggest Crypto Takedown Ever: DOJ Busts $15 Billion “Pig Butchering” Scheme

Key Takeaways

  • Largest Bitcoin Seizure in U.S. History: Federal prosecutors seized $15 billion worth of bitcoin connected to a massive “pig butchering” scam led by Cambodia-based Prince Holding Group.
  • Criminal Empire Exposed: Chen Zhi, also known as “Vincent,” is accused of running a forced-labor crypto scam operation that generated up to $30 million per day through fraudulent investment and romance schemes.
  • U.S. Sends Strong Message on Financial Crime: The Trump administration and the DOJ are reaffirming America’s commitment to law, order, and financial integrity — showing that even the most sophisticated global crypto crimes will face U.S. justice.

In what the Department of Justice is calling the largest forfeiture action in U.S. history, federal prosecutors have seized $15 billion worth of bitcoin tied to a sprawling international “pig butchering” scam — a crypto fraud network that allegedly combined romance scams, investment fraud, and human trafficking.

The indictment, unsealed Tuesday in the Eastern District of New York, charges Chen Zhi, known as “Vincent,” the 37-year-old leader of Cambodia-based Prince Holding Group, with orchestrating the vast criminal enterprise. Zhi remains at large, and prosecutors say his organization ran forced-labor compounds where workers were trafficked, beaten, and coerced into luring unsuspecting victims into fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes.

“As alleged, the defendant directed one of the largest investment fraud operations in history, fueling an illicit industry that is reaching epidemic proportions,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr.

Court filings reveal that Zhi’s company generated up to $30 million per day at its peak by targeting victims worldwide through fake online relationships and investment opportunities. The group laundered stolen funds through unhosted digital wallets, allowing operators to move money without oversight.

The 127,271 bitcoins, now in U.S. custody, were held in wallets tied to Zhi — a staggering sum that underscores the scale of modern financial crime in the digital age. The Treasury Department has since designated Prince Group a “transnational criminal organization” and imposed sanctions on Zhi and his associates.

“This is an individual who allegedly operated a vast criminal network across multiple continents involving forced labor, money laundering, investment schemes, and stolen assets targeting millions of innocent victims,” said FBI Director Kash Patel, calling it “one of the largest financial fraud takedowns in history.”

The operation represents a decisive step in reasserting U.S. dominance in global financial enforcement. While digital currencies have fueled innovation and opportunity, the Trump administration has made clear that lawlessness — even on the blockchain — will not stand. The message is simple: crime, no matter how sophisticated, won’t outrun American justice.

1...567...146Page 6 of 146

Links

Stay connected

Newsletter Signup

- Advertisement -

© America First News | All rights reserved.