Wednesday, July 9th, 2025
Trump administration promises on Jeffrey Epstein case fizzle out, angering some allies
The U.S. Justice Department and White House have scrambled this week to explain a significant walkback from promises of potentially explosive information involving accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and his alleged clientele. A Justice Department memo on Epstein, released on Monday, concluded that after reviewing more than 300 gigabytes of data, there was “no incriminating client list” nor was there any evidence that Epstein may have blackmailed prominent people. The memo also confirmed prior findings by the FBI which concluded that Epstein died by suicide in his jail cell while awaiting trial, andRead more
Trump announces tariff rates for numerous countries – but not Canada
U.S. President Donald Trump sent letters to governments around the world on Monday informing them of the tariff rates he would impose starting Aug. 1 — though Canada’s July 21 deadline to reach a deal appears to remain. Trump said he would impose a 25 per cent tariff on imports from Japan and South Korea beginning next month, marking a new phase in the trade war he launched earlier this year. The letters sent to 14 countries so far — which included smaller U.S. exporters, like Serbia, Thailand and TunisiaRead more
Trump hits Brazil with 50% tariff over ‘witch hunt’ trial of ex-leader Bolsonaro
U.S. President Donald Trump singled out Brazil for import taxes of 50 per cent on Wednesday for its treatment of its former president, Jair Bolsonaro, suggesting that personal grudges rather than simple economics are playing a part in the U.S. leader’s use of tariffs. The president posted form letters to his social media account Wednesday informing certain countries that they would be facing tariff rates in the double digits starting Aug. 1. Trump avoided his standard form letter with Brazil, specifically tying his tariffs there to the trial of Bolsonaro, who is charged with tryingRead more
Trump issues tariff letters to 7 more trading partners as talks with EU continue
U.S. President Donald Trump issued final tariff notices to seven minor trading partners on Wednesday as his administration inched closer to a deal with its biggest trading partner, the European Union. Trump said in posts on his Truth Social media platform that starting Aug. 1, he would impose a 20 per cent tariff on goods from the Philippines, 30 per cent on goods from Sri Lanka, Algeria, Iraq and Libya, and 25 per cent on Brunei and Moldova. No letter was issued to the EU, but Trump had said late on TuesdayRead more