US President Trump Appoints New Ambassador to Kuwait
Trump expressed his excitement about Ghalib's appointment, stating that he was "elated" about the new role, noting that Ghalib had worked diligently in his electoral campaigns in Michigan. The president also emphasized that Ghalib, who holds a PhD in medicine, would represent the US with pride in his new diplomatic position.
Born in Yemen, Ghalib, 45, was elected as Hamtramck's first Arab-American and Muslim mayor in 2021. He made history as the first Arab to hold the office in the city, and during his tenure, Hamtramck also swore in its first all-Muslim city council.
Ghalib had been a strong supporter of Trump during the 2024 election, endorsing him and campaigning alongside him. He also spoke at a rally the day before the election and welcomed Trump when the president visited a campaign office in Hamtramck. Ghalib expressed that Trump's visit was a gesture of respect and appreciation for the community.
Under Ghalib's leadership, Hamtramck's city council passed a resolution in December 2023 to rename one of the city's streets to "Palestine Avenue" in support of Palestinians amid the ongoing war in Gaza. During the council meeting, Ghalib explained that the street name change was a symbolic gesture meant to represent the values of Hamtramck's community. He also noted the importance of making a statement despite knowing it would not directly impact the conflict.
In addition to Ghalib's appointment, Trump also announced other ambassadorial appointments, including Duke Buchan III as the US Ambassador to Morocco and Michel Issa as the US Ambassador to Lebanon. Trump praised Buchan for his role in strengthening US-Moroccan relations and spoke highly of Issa, calling him an outstanding businessman and financial expert, confident that he would serve with honor and distinction.
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Kuwait Times
10 hours ago
- Kuwait Times
What happens next in US court battle over Trump's tariffs?
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Trump has said that trade imbalances, declining manufacturing power and the cross-border flow of drugs justified the tariffs under IEEPA. A dozen Democratic-led states and five small US businesses challenging the tariffs argue that IEEPA does not cover tariffs and that the US Constitution grants Congress, not the president, authority over tariffs and other taxes. A loss for Trump would also undermine the latest round of sweeping tariffs on dozens of countries that he unveiled late Thursday. Trump has made tariffs a cornerstone of his economic plan, arguing they will promote domestic manufacturing and substitute for income taxes. What's the status of the litigation? The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit heard oral arguments on Thursday in the case. The panel of 11 judges sharply questioned the government about Trump's use of IEEPA, but did not rule from the bench. The Federal Circuit has not said when it will issue a decision, but its briefing schedule suggests it intends to move quickly. Meanwhile, the tariffs remain in effect after the Federal Circuit paused a lower court's ruling declaring them illegal. Will Trump's tariffs be blocked if he loses in court? A Federal Circuit ruling would almost certainly not end the litigation, as the losing party is expected to appeal to the Supreme Court. If the Federal Circuit rules against Trump, the court could put its own ruling on hold while the government appeals to the Supreme Court. This approach would maintain the status quo and allow the nine justices to consider the matter more thoroughly. The justices themselves could also issue an 'administrative stay' that would temporarily pause the Federal Circuit's decision while it considers a request from the Justice Department for more permanent relief. Is the Supreme Court likely to step in? The Supreme Court is not obligated to review every case appealed to it, but it is widely expected to weigh in on Trump's tariffs because of the weighty constitutional questions at the heart of the case. If the Federal Circuit rules in the coming weeks, there is still time for the Supreme Court to add the case to its regular docket for the 2025-2026 term, which begins on October 6. The Supreme Court could rule before the end of the year, but that would require it to move quickly. How might the supreme court rule? There is no consensus among court-watchers about what the Supreme Court will do. Critics of Trump's tariffs are optimistic their side will win. They point to the Supreme Court's decision from 2023 that blocked President Joe Biden from forgiving student loan debt. In that ruling, the justices limited the authority of the executive branch to take action on issues of 'vast economic and political significance' except where Congress has explicitly authorized the action. The justices in other cases, however, have endorsed a broad view of presidential power, especially when it comes to foreign affairs. Can importers seek refunds for tariffs paid? If Trump loses at the Supreme Court, importers are likely to seek refunds of tariffs already paid. This would be a lengthy process given the large number of anticipated claims. Federal regulations dictate that such requests would be first heard by US Customs and Border Protection. If that agency denies a refund request, the importer can appeal to the Court of International Trade. There is precedent for tariff refund requests being granted. Since May, CBP has been processing refunds to importers who inadvertently overpaid duties because of tariff 'stacking' — where multiple overlapping tariffs are applied to the same imports. And in the 1990s, after the Court of International Trade struck down a tax on exporters that was being used to finance improvements to US harbors, the court set up a process for issuing refunds. That decision was upheld by both the Federal Circuit and the Supreme Court. Would a courtroom defeat unravel Trump's trade deals? Trump has used the threat of emergency tariffs as leverage to secure concessions from trading partners. A loss at the Supreme Court would hamstring Trump in future negotiations. The White House, however, has other ways of imposing tariffs, like a 1962 law that allows the president to investigate imports that threaten national security. Trump has already used that law to put tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, and those levies are not at issue in the case before the Federal Circuit. Some legal experts say a loss for Trump at the Supreme Court would not impact bilateral trade agreements the US has already inked with other countries. 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Arab Times
11 hours ago
- Arab Times
Royal parties ... glitterati
Algerian poet and novelist Ahlam Mosteghanemi once wrote an article expressing her dismay at the lackluster reception she received upon arriving at Beirut airport, claiming it was not as warm as the welcome given to an 'artist.' At the time, I responded that this reaction was entirely understandable. Artists, particularly actors, singers, and performers, tend to hold a unique place in the hearts of the public, regardless of civilization or culture. Their popularity often far exceeds that of leading scientists, brilliant doctors, or distinguished writers, whose recognition tends to remain confined to their professional circles. That is why we often see the majority of guests invited to parties at the White House, royal palaces, or billionaire gatherings are not intellectuals, but entertainers like actors, singers, and musicians. A few days ago, the renowned artist Ziad Rahbani passed away, and I wrote an elegy in his memory. However, it seems that not everyone appreciated it, including my friend Professor Saad bin Tefla, who described Ziad as 'a hollow, troubled man full of psychological complexes.' He further accused him of holding harsh views and a condescending attitude toward the Gulf states, claiming this reflects the mindset of many Arab leftists, intellectuals, and prominent writers, and in turn a deeper internal crisis. Professor Saad described it as part of the crisis within the Arab world, manifested in a sense of cultural superiority held by those who see themselves as heirs to ancient civilizations, looking down on the so-called 'Arabs of the desert.' What they fail to recognize is that these very Gulf countries have advanced and developed rapidly, often surpassing the so-called cradle of civilizations, whose current standard of living bears little resemblance to their historic past. I don't think the issue is that simple, even if it reflects the truth. Those who try to obscure it do so out of ignorance. That said, the discussion about attitudes toward the Gulf and its people applies to various circles, but it is unfair to paint all artists and creatives with the same brush. Ziad Rahbani, despite the many wise, humorous, emotional, and sometimes biased or absurd quotes attributed to him, was not a thinker, writer, or lecturer, nor was he known for being deeply educated or culturally intelligent. He was, above all, an artist who breathed music as naturally as he breathed air. For over forty years, he enriched the lives of millions with works that remain timeless. That is what he should be remembered for, not his political stances or leftist leanings. After all, Laila Murad was Jewish, yet her voice captured the hearts of generations. The brothers Saleh and Daoud Al-Kuwaiti, who later immigrated to Israel, were also Jewish. Their different origins or religions never stood in the way of enjoying their timeless artistic heritage. The negative attitudes of some intellectuals, thinkers, and cultural figures toward the peoples of the Gulf are not isolated incidents. We should not dwell on them too long or hold every intellectual, writer, novelist, or philosopher accountable for their views. Doing so would mean depriving ourselves of a large part of the global intellectual and cultural heritage. The inferior or misguided perceptions about the people of the Gulf, and the negative attitudes toward them, are natural behavior, whether expressed by thinkers, singers, or politicians. This is part of human nature. After the two world wars, Americans faced similar condescension from Europeans, who saw them as representatives of cowboy culture, the Wild West, dollar greed, anti-civilization, anti-culture and descendants of society's dregs who immigrated to the New World. But this American 'cowboy', within just two or three decades, attained the highest levels of knowledge and progress in all fields, and had the biggest influence in Europe in security and finance, as well as became most successful in winning countless awards in all fields of creativity, setting an example for oppressed peoples worldwide, before circumstances changed. We must admit that the Gulf suffers from cultural scarcity, a lack of creativity, and cultural poverty. However, we are better today than we were yesterday, and we will be far better tomorrow. Combating or responding to the ideologies represented by figures like Zaydan, Adonis, Al-Aswany, and others doesn't mean boycotting their works or attacking them. It means striving to become pioneers in literature, leaders in art, and guardians of culture. This goal cannot be achieved without providing an atmosphere that is rich in freedom. For years, Kuwait and Lebanon stood out as the most creative hubs in the region due to well-known reasons. But how can we truly support literature, culture, and thought when censors scrutinize every breath of creative persons, when the publication of Al-Arabi, which was Kuwait's cultural flagship for over half a century, is suspended, and when the printing of Alam Al- Maarifa and similar publications is banned? We have succeeded in buying almost everything with our wealth, but culture and intellectual creativity cannot be purchased. They must be nurtured, cultivated, and allowed to grow; only then can we reap their fruits. What will remain in the memory of history, dear Saad, are not Ziad's stances on the Gulf states, his views on Nasrallah, or his support for Assad, but rather his timeless artistic contributions such as 'Give my regards to him,' 'How are you?,' 'On the roar of the bus,' 'I'm writing your name, my love,' 'Miss the gazelle,' 'Joy has come,' 'Since he is,' and many more.
Kuwait Times
12 hours ago
- Kuwait Times
Sensible, steely: How Mexico's Sheinbaum has dealt with Trump
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