Trump administration resumes sending some weapons to Ukraine after pentagon pause
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed the pause last week, which affected a specific recent shipment of weapons to Ukraine, to allow the Pentagon to assess its weapons stockpiles in a move that caught the White House by surprise. President Donald Trump announced Monday that the US would continue to deliver defensive weapons to Ukraine. He has sidestepped questions about who ordered the pause in exchanges with reporters this week.
'I would know if a decision is made. I will know,' Trump said Wednesday. 'I will be the first to know. In fact, most likely I'd give the order, but I haven't done that yet.' When asked a day earlier who ordered the pause, he said: 'I don't know. Why don't you tell me?'
Trump has privately expressed frustration with Pentagon officials for announcing the pause–a move that he felt wasn't properly coordinated with the White House, according to three people familiar with the matter. The Pentagon has denied that Hegseth acted without consulting the president.
The US has sent more than 67 billion in weapons and military assistance to Ukraine since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
19 minutes ago
- Arab News
Trump calls for MAGA base to end ‘Epstein Files' obsession
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump urged his political base on Saturday to stop attacking his administration over files related to notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a case that has become an obsession for conspiracy theorists. Trump's Department of Justice and the FBI said in a memo made public last week there was no evidence that the disgraced financier kept a 'client list' or was blackmailing powerful figures. They also dismissed the claim that Epstein was murdered in jail, confirming his death by suicide at a New York prison in 2019, and said they would not be releasing any more information on the probe. The move was met with incredulity by some on the US far-right — many of whom have backed Trump for years — and strident criticism of Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel. 'What's going on with my 'boys' and, in some cases, 'gals?' They're all going after Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is doing a FANTASTIC JOB!' Trump said Saturday in a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform. 'We're on one Team, MAGA, and I don't like what's happening. We have a PERFECT Administration, THE TALK OF THE WORLD, and 'selfish people' are trying to hurt it, all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein,' he added, referring to his 'Make America Great Again' movement. Many among the MAGA faithful have long contended that so-called 'Deep State' actors were hiding information on Epstein's elite associates. 'Next the DOJ will say 'Actually, Jeffrey Epstein never even existed,'' furious pro-Trump conspiracy theorist Alex Jones tweeted after last week's move. 'This is over the top sickening.' Far-right influencer Laura Loomer called for Trump to fire Bondi over the issue, labeling her 'an embarrassment.' But on Saturday, Trump came to the defense of his attorney general, suggesting that the so-called 'Epstein Files' were a hoax perpetrated by the Democratic Party for political gain, without specifying what benefits they hoped to attain. "Why are we giving publicity to Files written by Obama, Crooked Hillary, Comey, Brennan, and the Losers and Criminals of the Biden Administration...?' he said. On Saturday, Trump struck an exasperated tone in his admonishment of his supporters. 'For years, it's Epstein, over and over again,' he said. 'Let' waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about.' The US president called for Patel and Bondi to instead focus on what he terms 'The Rigged and Stolen Election of 2020,' which Trump lost to Joe Biden. The Republican has repeatedly perpetuated unfounded conspiracy theories about his loss being due to fraud. He called for the FBI to be allowed to focus on that investigation 'instead of spending month after month looking at nothing but the same old, Radical Left inspired Documents on Jeffrey Epstein. LET PAM BONDI DO HER JOB — SHE'S GREAT!' Trump, who appears in at least one decades-old video alongside Epstein at a party, has denied allegations that he was named in the files or had any direct connection to the financier. 'The conspiracy theories just aren't true, never have been,' said FBI Director Patel on Saturday, hours before Trump's social media post. Not everyone, however, seemed to be on the same page. US media reported that Dan Bongino — an influential right-wing podcast host whom Trump appointed FBI deputy director — had threatened to resign over the administration's handling of the issue.
Asharq Al-Awsat
28 minutes ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Putin Urges Iran to Take 'Zero Enrichment' Nuclear Deal with US, Axios Reports
Russian President Vladimir Putin has told US President Donald Trump and Iranian officials that he supports the idea of a nuclear deal in which Iran is unable to enrich uranium, Axios reported on Saturday, citing sources, Reuters reported. Iran's semi-official news agency Tasnim denied the report, quoting an "informed source" as saying Putin had not sent any message to Iran in this regard.
Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
A look at the countries that received Trump's tariff letters
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has sent letters this week outlining higher tariffs countries will face if they don't make trade deals with the US by Aug. 1. Some mirror the so-called 'reciprocal' rates Trump unveiled against dozens of trading partners in April — the bulk of which were later postponed just hours after taking effect. But many are higher or lower than those previously announced amounts. So far, Trump has warned the European Union and 24 nations, including major trading partners like South Korea and Japan, that steeper tariffs will be imposed starting Aug. 1. Nearly all of these letters took the same general tone with the exception of Brazil, Canada, the EU and Mexico, which included more specifics about Trump's issues with those countries. Nearly every country has faced a minimum 10 percent levy on goods entering the US since April, on top of other levies on specific products like steel and automobiles. And future escalation is still possible. In his letters, which were posted on Truth Social, Trump warned countries that they would face even higher tariffs if they retaliated by increasing their own import taxes. Here's a look at the countries that have gotten tariff letters so far — and where things stand now: Brazil Tariff rate: 50 percent starting Aug. 1. Brazil wasn't threatened with an elevated 'reciprocal' rate in April — but, like other countries, has faced Trump's 10 percent baseline over the last three months. Key exports to the US: Petroleum, iron products, coffee and fruit juice. Response: In a forceful response, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Trump's tariffs would trigger the country's economic reciprocity law — which allows trade, investment and intellectual property agreements to be suspended against countries that harm Brazil's competitiveness. He also noted that the US has had a trade surplus of more than $410 billion with Brazil over the past 15 years. Myanmar Tariff rate: 40 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 44 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Clothing, leather goods and seafood Response: Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, the spokesperson for Myanmar's military government said it will follow up with negotiations. Laos Tariff rate: 40 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 48 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Shoes with textile uppers, wood furniture, electronic components and optical fiber Cambodia Tariff rate: 36 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 49 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Textiles, clothing, shoes and bicycles Response: Cambodia's chief negotiator, Sun Chanthol, said the country successfully got the tariff dropped from the 49 percent Trump announced in April to 36 percent and is ready to hold a new round of negotiations. He appealed to investors, especially factory owners, and the country's nearly 1 million garment workers not to panic about the tariff rate announced Monday. Thailand Tariff rate: 36 percent starting Aug. 1. That's the same rate that was announced in April. Key exports to the US: Computer parts, rubber products and gemstones Response: Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Pichai Chunhavajira said Thailand will continue to push for tariff negotiations with the United States. Thailand on Sunday submitted a new proposal that includes opening the Thai market for more American agricultural and industrial products and increasing imports of energy and aircraft. Bangladesh Tariff rate: 35 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 37 percent announced in April. Key export to the US: Clothing Response: Bangladesh's finance adviser Salehuddin Ahmed said Bangladesh hopes to negotiate for a better outcome. There are concerns that additional tariffs would make Bangladesh's garment exports less competitive with countries like Vietnam and India. Canada Tariff rate: 35 percent starting Aug. 1. That's up from 25 percent imposed earlier this year on goods that don't comply with a North American trade agreement covering the US, Canada and Mexico. Some of Canada's top exports to the US are subject to different industry-specific tariffs. Key exports to the US: Oil and petroleum products, cars and trucks Response: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney posted on X early Friday that the government will continue to work toward a trade deal by the new Aug. 1 deadline. Serbia Tariff rate: 35 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 37 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Software and IT services; car tires Indonesia Tariff rate: 32 percent starting Aug. 1. That's the same rate that was announced in April. Key exports to the US: Palm oil, cocoa butter and semiconductors Algeria Tariff rate: 30 percent starting Aug. 1. That's the same rate that was announced in April. Key exports to the US: Petroleum, cement and iron products Bosnia and Herzegovina Tariff rate: 30 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 35 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Weapons and ammunition The European Union Tariff rate: 30 percent starting Aug. 1. That's up from 20 percent announced in April but less than the 50 percent Trump later threatened. Key exports to the US: Pharmaceuticals, cars, aircraft, chemicals, medical instruments, and wine and spirits. Iraq Tariff rate: 30 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 39 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Crude oil and petroleum products Response: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the tariffs would disrupt essential supply chains 'to the detriment of businesses, consumers and patients on both sides of the Atlantic.' She said the EU remains ready to continue working toward an agreement but will take necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including countermeasures if required. Libya Tariff rate: 30 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 31 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Petroleum products Mexico Tariff rate: 30 percent starting Aug. 1. That's up from 25 percent imposed earlier this year on goods that don't comply with the free trade agreement covering the US, Mexico and Canada. Some of Mexico's top exports to the US are subject to other sector-specific tariffs. Key exports to the US: Cars, motor vehicle parts and accessories, crude oil, delivery trucks, computers, agricultural products South Africa Tariff rate: 30 percent starting Aug. 1. That's the same rate that was announced in April. Key exports to the US: Platinum, diamonds, vehicles and auto parts Response: The office of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement that the tariff rates announced by Trump mischaracterized the trade relationship with the US, but it would 'continue with its diplomatic efforts toward a more balanced and mutually beneficial trade relationship with the United States' after having proposed a trade framework on May 20. Sri Lanka Tariff rate: 30 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 44 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Clothing and rubber products Brunei Tariff rate: 25 percent starting Aug. 1. That's up from 24 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Mineral fuels and machinery equipment Moldova Tariff rate: 25 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 31 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Fruit juice, wine, clothing and plastic products Japan Tariff rate: 25 percent starting Aug. 1. That's up from 24 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Autos, auto parts, electronic Response: Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba called the tariff 'extremely regrettable' but said he was determined to continue negotiating. Kazakhstan Tariff rate: 25 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 27 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Oil, uranium, ferroalloys and silver Malaysia Tariff rate: 25 percent starting Aug. 1. That's up from 24 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Electronics and electrical products Response: Malaysia's government said it will pursue talks with the US A cabinet meeting is scheduled for Wednesday. South Korea Tariff rate: 25 percent starting Aug. 1. That's the same rate that was announced in April. Key exports to the US: Vehicles, machinery and electronics Response: South Korea's Trade Ministry said early Tuesday that it will accelerate negotiations with the United States to achieve a deal before the 25 percent tax goes into effect. Tunisia Tariff rate: 25 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 28 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Animal and vegetable fats, clothing, fruit and nuts Philippines Tariff rate: 20 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 17 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Electronics and machinery, clothing and gold
