Trump criticizes Putin after approving more weapons for
Trump, who pledged as a presidential candidate to end the war within a day, has not been able to follow through on that promise and efforts by his administration to broker peace have come up short.
Trump directed his ire at Putin on Tuesday during a meeting with cabinet officials at the White House.
"I'm not happy with Putin. I can tell you that much right now," Trump said, noting that Russian and Ukrainian soldiers were dying in the thousands.
"We get a lot of bullshit thrown at us by Putin. ... He's very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless," Trump said Trump said he was considering whether to support a bill in the Senate that would impose steep sanctions on Russia over the war.
"I'm looking at it very strongly," he said.
The bill, whose lead sponsors are Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, would also punish other countries that trade with Moscow, imposing 500 percent tariffs on nations that buy Russian oil, gas, uranium and other exports.
Trump said on Monday that the US would send more weapons to Ukraine, primarily defensive ones, to help it defend itself against Russian advances. On Tuesday, he said he had approved such a move.
"We're sending some defensive weapons to Ukraine, and I've approved that," he said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday he had ordered an expansion of contacts with the US to ensure critical deliveries of military supplies, primarily air defense.
"We currently have all the necessary political statements and decisions and we must implement them as quickly as possible to protect our people and positions," he said.
"These are critical deliveries that mean saving lives and protecting Ukrainian cities and villages. I expect results from these contacts very soon. And this week, we are preparing formats for meetings of our military and political teams."
Zelenskyy has repeatedly urged Ukraine's Western allies to impose tougher sanctions on Moscow to force the Kremlin to agree to a ceasefire as a step towards reaching an end to the war, now 40 months old.
A decision by the Pentagon to halt some shipments of critical weapons to Ukraine prompted warnings by Kyiv last week that the move would weaken its ability to defend against Russia's intensifying airstrikes and battlefield advances.
Trump, who was seated next to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, was asked on Tuesday who had ordered that pause.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
10 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Allies under fire: Why do Trump tariffs target Korea, Japan first?
By starting with close partners, US president aims to warn rest of world no country is immune, analysts say South Korea and Japan were caught off guard last week when US President Donald Trump took aim at two of America's longtime Asian allies, dashing any expectation of preferential treatment regarding his "reciprocal" tariffs. In nearly identical letters sent to the leaders of the two neighbors, Trump announced 25 percent tariffs to start Aug. 1, unless Korea and Japan each dismantle what he described as unfair trade barriers. Though Trump sent similar tariff letters to 12 other countries that day, his choice to publicize the Seoul and Tokyo letters first was seen as a deliberate move that one analyst said was to amp up pressure and show that even allies are not immune to Trump's hard-line tariffs. 'Trump wants to make an example out of Korea and Japan, the two closest allies with large US trade surpluses, strong industrial bases and deep security ties with Washington,' said Heo Yoon, a professor of international studies at Sogang University. 'He is trying to show that there's no exception when it comes to tariffs, allies or not.' Asked why Trump started with Korea and Japan, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt simply stated, 'It's the president's prerogative, and those are the countries he chose.' Wendy Cutler, vice president of the Asia Society Policy Institute, said in a commentary that the tariffs on South Korea and Japan 'will send a chilling message to others," signaling that Washington may not grant exemptions under Section 232 tariffs, particularly on automobiles, which is "a high priority for both countries." Cutler expressed disappointment that Trump appears to be going ahead with the tariffs, despite both countries being close partners on economic security matters that have a lot to offer the US in areas including shipbuilding, semiconductors, critical minerals and energy cooperation. 'Companies from both countries have made significant manufacturing investment in the US in recent years, bringing high-paying jobs to US workers and benefiting communities all around the country," she said. The steep tariffs come despite Japan's ongoing engagement with the US, including seven rounds of high-level talks in Washington since April and a visit to Washington by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who was one of the first leaders to make the trip in Trump's second term. Japan responded strongly, with Ishiba calling Trump's latest tariff move 'truly regrettable,' while ruling Liberal Democratic Party policy chief Itsunori Onodera condemned that notifying a key ally with a single letter is 'extremely disrespectful." South Korea, by contrast, has struck a more measured tone. Seoul appeared relieved to have bought more time from the initial deadline of July 9, delayed to Aug. 1, to negotiate with the Trump administration, acknowledging a lack of sufficient time to reach an agreement after the new Lee Jae Myung administration commenced in early June. Nonetheless, the government here held series of emergency meetings and vowed all-out efforts to negotiate its way out of looming duties. Following the announced moves against Seoul and Tokyo, Trump expanded his tariff barrage to other long-standing allies. Canada now faces a 35 percent tariff, while the European Union is to be subject to a rate of 30 percent. Meanwhile, Mexico faces a tariff of 30 percent, Philippines 20 percent and Thailand 36 percent. 'We've been taken advantage of for many, many years by countries, both friend and foe. And frankly, the friends have been worse than the foes in many cases,' Trump told reporters on Friday when asked about tariffs. Trump has long argued that the United States' trade deficit ― where its imports exceed exports ― is the result of unfair trade policies by other countries. According to the Office of the US Trade Representative, the US posted $68.5 billion in deficit with Japan and $66 billion deficit with South Korea last year, ranking them as the seventh and eighth top deficit partners. In terms of imports, Japan and Korea accounted for 4.5 percent and 4 percent of total US imports, respectively, trailing behind only China, Mexico, Canada and Germany. For Trump, who is fixated on reducing this trade imbalance, Japan and Korea are hard to overlook. Trump is convinced that slapping higher tariffs on goods from Seoul and Tokyo and pressuring them to buy more American products will help close the gap. After announcing the latest tariffs Monday, Trump told reporters that Seoul and Tokyo had 'had their way for many, many decades' and that the US 'just wanted fairness.' Professor Heo noted that both countries' close strategic ties with the US give Washington leverage. 'Trump understands he can pressure these allies to meet his demands because of their deep economic and security ties, including the defense cost sharing,' he said. 'Trump knows he can secure meaningful concessions from them and then present those as political wins.' The US is one of the largest export markets for both Seoul and Tokyo, particularly in key industries like automobiles, semiconductors, electronic appliances and steel. According to Japanese customs data, the US was Japan's largest export market last year, receiving 21.3 trillion yen ($145 billion) worth of Japanese goods. Automobiles and auto parts comprised approximately 34 percent of the shipments, representing the biggest single industry category. Other sectors include machinery, electronic appliances and semiconductors. For Korea, the US was the second-largest export market after China, as it exported $127.8 billion to the US last year. Automobiles and auto parts combined for the largest single category with about 30 percent, followed by semiconductors at approximately 10 percent, according to the Korea International Trade Association. This heavy reliance on a few high-performing sectors leaves both countries vulnerable to targeted trade measures, analysts say. 'The US, as a chronic trade deficit country with a growing deficit, will make efforts to improve not only under the Trump administration, but beyond,' said Chung Sung-hoon, a senior fellow at the Korea Development Institute, in a recent report. 'Especially since Korea's surplus is concentrated in few items, those very categories are likely to become the main target of tariff policy.' Chung added that among the US top 10 trade deficit items last year, three categories ― including home appliances, semiconductors and automobiles ― exactly match Korea's key export sectors. These are also the areas where the US has already announced additional tariffs, putting Korea at greater risk. American 25 percent tariffs on automobiles and auto parts have already delivered a significant blow to Japanese and South Korean automakers. Japan, which exports more than 1 million vehicles to the US annually, witnessed its exports of motor vehicles to the US plummet 24.7 percent on-year in May, right after the auto tariffs were imposed the previous month, according to the Finance Ministry. The Japan External Trade Organization projected that US tariffs on automobiles could reduce Japan's gross domestic product by 0.3 percent this year. In South Korea, the Bank of Korea projected in May that US tariff policies will hit the auto industry the hardest, estimating an overall 0.6 percent drop in exports, with US-bound exports facing a steeper 4 percent decline this year.
Korea Herald
13 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Trump's negotiating style is often less dealmaking, more coercion
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump prides himself on being a dealmaker, but his negotiating style is more ultimatum than compromise. In the last week, Trump has slapped trading partners with tariffs rather than slog through prolonged talks to reach agreements. He ratcheted up the pressure on the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates. And his administration launched a new investigation into higher education as he tries to reshape universities. For Trump, a deal isn't necessarily agreement in which two sides compromise — it's an opportunity to bend others to his will. While Trump occasionally backs down from his threats, the past week is a reminder that they are a permanent feature of his presidency. As Trump tightens his grip on independent institutions, there are fewer checks on his power. Republicans in Congress fear primary challenges backed by the president, and the Supreme Court is stocked with appointees from his first term. Trump recently summed up his approach when talking to reporters about trade talks with other countries. 'They don't set the deal,' he said. 'I set the deal.' Trump's allies believe his aggression is required in a political ecosystem where he's under siege from Democrats, the court system and the media. In their view, the president is simply trying to fulfill the agenda that he was elected to achieve. But critics fear he's eroding the country's democratic foundations with an authoritarian style. They say the president's focus on negotiations is a facade for attempts to dominate his opponents and expand his power. 'Pluralism and a diversity of institutions operating with autonomy — companies, the judiciary, nonprofit institutions that are important elements of society — are much of what defines real democracy,' said Larry Summers, a former Treasury secretary and former president of Harvard University. 'That is threatened by heavy handed, extortionist approaches.' Harvard has been a top target for Trump, starting in April when he demanded changes to the university's governance and new faculty members to counteract liberal bias. As Harvard resisted, administration officials terminated $2.2 billion in federal grants. The money is the lifeblood of the university's sprawling research operation, which includes studies on cancer, Parkinson's disease, space travel and pandemic preparedness. Trump has also attempted to block Harvard from hosting roughly 7,000 foreign students, and he's threatened to revoke its tax-exempt status. His administration recently sent subpoenas asking for student data. 'They'll absolutely reach a deal,' Trump said Wednesday. Administration officials also pulled $175 million from the University of Pennsylvania in March over a dispute around women's sports. They restored it when school officials agreed to update records set by transgender swimmer Lia Thomas and change their policies. Columbia University bent to Trump by putting its Middle East studies department under new supervision, among other changes, after the administration pulled $400 million in federal funding. At the University of Virginia, President James Ryan resigned under pressure following a Justice Department investigation into diversity, equity and inclusion practices. A similar investigation was opened Thursday at George Mason University. 'Federal funding is a privilege, not a right, for colleges and universities,' said Kush Desai, a White House spokesman. Such steps were unheard of before Trump took office. Ted Mitchell, president of the American Council on Education and an Education Department official under President Barack Obama, said Trump isn't seeking deals but is 'demanding more and more and more.' 'Institutional autonomy is an important part of what makes higher education work,' he said. 'It's what enables universities to pursue the truth without political considerations.' The Fed has also faced Trump's wrath. He blames Fed Chair Jerome Powell for moving too slowly to cut interest rates, which could make consumer debt like mortgages and auto loans more affordable. It could also help the US government finance the federal debt that's expected to climb from the tax cuts that Trump recently signed into law. Powell has held off on cutting the central bank's benchmark rate, as Trump's tariffs could possibly worsen inflation and lower rates could intensify that problem. Desai said the White House believes the Fed should act based on what the data currently shows, which is that 'President Trump's policies have swiftly tamed inflation.' Although Trump has said he won't try to fire Powell — a step that might be impossible under the law anyway — he's called on him to resign. In addition, Trump's allies have increased their scrutiny of Powell's management, particularly an expensive renovation of the central bank's headquarters. David Wessel, a senior fellow in economic studies at the Brookings Institution, said Trump's approach could undermine the Fed's credibility by casting a political shadow over its decisions. 'There will be real costs if markets and global investors think the Fed has been beaten into submission by Trump,' he said. Trump originally wanted to enact sweeping tariffs in April. In his view, import taxes would fix the challenge of the US buying too much from other countries and not selling enough overseas.
Korea Herald
13 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Trump demands concessions as EU holds off on US tariff negotiations
BRUSSELS (Reuters) — The European Union said Sunday it would extend its suspension of countermeasures to US tariffs until early August and continue to press for a negotiated settlement as US President Donald Trump's administration demanded more concessions from trading partners. Trump said Saturday he would impose a 30 percent tariff on most imports from the EU and Mexico from Aug. 1, adding to similar warnings for other countries and leaving them less than three weeks to hammer out framework deals that could lower the threatened tariff rate. White House Economic Adviser Kevin Hassett said Sunday that countries' trade deal offers so far have not satisfied Trump and "the tariffs are real" without improvements. "The president thinks that deals need to be better," Hassett told ABC's This Week program. "And to basically put a line in the sand, he sent these letters out to folks, and we'll see how it works out." Ursula von der Leyen, head of the EU's executive Commission which handles trade policy for the 27 member states, said the bloc would maintain its two-track approach: keep talking and prepare retaliatory measures. "We have always been very clear that we prefer a negotiated solution. This remains the case, and we will use the time that we have now," von der Leyen told a press conference, adding that the bloc would extend its halt on countermeasures until August. Von der Leyen's decision to resist immediate retaliatory measures points to the European Commission's desire to avoid a spiralling tit-for-tat escalation in the trade war while there remains a chance of negotiating an improved outcome. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Sunday said he was "really committed" to finding a trade solution with the US, telling German public broadcaster ARD that he will work intensively on this with von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron over the next two and a half weeks. Asked about the impact of a 30 percent US tariff on Germany, Merz said, "If that were to happen, we would have to postpone large parts of our economic policy efforts because it would interfere with everything and hit the German export industry to the core." The latest salvo from Trump and the question of how to respond may test the unity of member states, with France appearing to take a tougher line than Germany, the bloc's industrial powerhouse whose economy leans heavily on exports. Macron said the Commission needed more than ever to "assert the Union's determination to defend European interests resolutely," and that retaliation might need to include so-called anti-coercion instruments. German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said Sunday the EU should be ready to take firm action if talks failed. "If a fair negotiated solution does not succeed, then we must take decisive countermeasures to protect jobs and companies in Europe," Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil, also vice chancellor in the ruling coalition, told Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper. While the EU has held back from retaliating against the US in the months since Trump hit the bloc with tariffs, it has readied two packages that could hit a combined 93 billion euros of US goods. A first package, in response to US levies of 50 percent on imported steel and aluminium that would hit 21 billion euros in US goods, was suspended in April for 90 days to allow time for negotiations. The suspension had been due to expire Monday before the extension was announced. A second package in retaliation against Trump's "reciprocal" tariffs has been in the works since May and was set to target 72 billion euros of US goods. These measures have not been made public and the final list requires approval by member states. Von der Leyen said Sunday that the use of the EU's Anti-Coercion Instrument was not yet on the table. The instrument allows the bloc to retaliate against third countries that put economic pressure on EU members to change their policies. "The (anti-coercion) instrument is created for extraordinary situations, we are not there yet," she said. Possible retaliatory steps could include restricting EU market access to goods and services, and other economic measures related to areas including foreign direct investment, financial markets and export controls. In a sign of the EU's desire to strike deals with more trading partners at a time of deepening uncertainty in trans-Atlantic relations, von der Leyen said a political agreement had been reached to advance an EU-Indonesia trade deal. France's cheese producers warned of the damaging consequences of a 30 percent tariff for the local dairy industry, which exports nearly half its produce, including to the United States. "It's a new environment we will have to get used to - I don't think this is temporary," Francois Xavier Huard, CEO of dairy association FNIL, told Reuters.
