President Donald Trump has renewed his calls for Canada to become the 51st U.S. state as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau orders retaliatory tariffs on the U.S.
After signing off on 25 percent tariffs for Canadian goods, Trump claimed Sunday the U.S. pays billions to “subsidize” Canada and argued that “without this massive subsidy, Canada ceases to exist as a viable Country.”
“Therefore, Canada should become our Cherished 51st State,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Much lower taxes, and far better military protection for the people of Canada — AND NO TARIFFS!”
Trump also ordered a 25 percent tariff on Mexican goods and a 10 percent tariff on Chinese goods Saturday.
“ THIS WILL BE THE GOLDEN AGE OF AMERICA,” Trump said of his tariffs. “WILL THERE BE SOME PAIN? YES, MAYBE (AND MAYBE NOT!).”
Canada and Mexico have ordered retaliatory measures in light of his order.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he would “not back down in standing up for Canadians.” He set out “far-reaching” tariffs of 25 percent, which will start with $30 billion worth of U.S. goods on Tuesday. Then, the tariff will impact another $125 billion worth of U.S. goods in 21 days to give Canadian firms time to adjust.
Key Points
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Trump defends tariffs in Sunday morning rant
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Mexico and Canada order retaliatory messages in trade war with US
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White House says tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China will begin tomorrow
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Trump repeats 100% tariffs threat to Brics nations
ICYMI: Elon Musk dropped nearly $300M supporting Donald Trump in 2024
19:08 , Katie Hawkinson
Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, spent more than $290 million supporting Donald Trump and his MAGA allies on the campaign trail last year.
The staggering figure was revealed after Musk submitted new filings to the Federal Election Commission covering the last five weeks of 2024. Prior filings reported in December had Musk’s total at more than $250 million.
Musk’s latest filings include records showing he put more than $11 million into his America PAC on New Year’s Eve for his “petition incentives.” Musk’s end-of-year contributions were related to the $1 million giveaway for registered voters who signed a petition on his PAC’s website in the final weeks of the presidential race, CNN reports.
Keep reading:
Elon Musk dropped nearly $300M supporting Donald Trump in 2024
Trump administration revokes Temporary Protection Status for 300,000 Venezuelans in U.S.
18:00 , Katie Hawkinson
President Donald Trump’s administration has revoked Temporary Protection Status from 300,000 Venezuelans in the U.S., leaving them suddenly vulnerable to deportation, The New York Times reports.
Those who received the status in 2023 will lose it in 60 days after the administration publishes a termination notice, according to the Times.
“After reviewing country conditions and considering whether permitting Venezuelan nationals covered by the 2023 designation is contrary to the national interest of the United States, in consultation with the appropriate U.S. government agencies, the secretary of homeland security has determined that Venezuela no longer continues to meet the conditions for the 2023 designation,” the administration’s notice states, per the Times.
USAID security chiefs on leave after trying to block DOGE from classified docs
17:47 , Katie Hawkinson
Two top security chiefs with the U.S. Agency for International Development are currently on leave after attempting to block Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency from accessing classified material, including intelligence reports, according to the Associated Press reports.
This comes after the organization’s website went offline without explanation Saturday following President Donald Trump’s freeze on U.S.-funded foreign aid, the AP reports.
Here are some goods in the crosshairs of Trump’s tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China
17:45 , Paul Wiseman
President Donald Trump signed an order to put tariffs on U.S. neighbors Canada and Mexico, as well as China, starting Tuesday. Canada and Mexico quickly announced retaliatory tariffs, while China said it would take “necessary countermeasures.”
The business between the North American nations now exceeds China, totaling $1.8 trillion in 2023. That is far greater than the $643 billion in commerce that the U.S. did with China in that same year.
Trump declared an economic emergency Saturday in order to place duties of 10% on all imports from China and 25% on imports from Mexico and Canada. Energy imported from Canada, including oil, natural gas and electricity, would be taxed at a lower 10% rate.
Following are just a few imported goods whose prices may be hit first:
Here are some goods in the crosshairs of Trump’s tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China
Captain America fans defend Anthony Mackie from Trump supporters: ‘He is right’
17:30 , Greg Evans
Supporters of Donald Trump are being sent reminders about what Captain America stands for after Anthony Mackie told fans to “chill the f*** out”.
Mackie, whose character Sam Wilson assumed the role previously played by Chris Evans at the end of 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, is preparing for his first solo outing as the Marvel hero in Captain America: Brave New World.
The 46-year-old star has however angered Trump supporters when he described the eponymous protagonist as a man with “honour, dignity and integrity,” and that such qualities did not currently represent America. He has since clarified that he is a “proud American and taking on the shield of a hero like CAP is the honour of a lifetime”.
Keep reading:
Captain America fans defend Anthony Mackie from Trump supporters: ‘He is right’
Canadian stadium boos during American National Anthem after Trump’s tariffs
17:15 , Katie Hawkinson
Several people in a 20,000-person stadium in Ontario stood and booed during the U.S. National Anthem at a hockey game last night, TMZ reports.
This incident comes after President Donald Trump levied a 25 percent tariff on Canadian goods Saturday.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has since vowed to retaliate, announcing he will “not back down in standing up for Canadians.”
Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem pledges to ‘get dirtbags out of here’ as she visits Texas-Mexico border
17:00 , Lucy Leeson
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem pledged to “get the dirtbags out of here” as she paid a visit to the Texas and Mexico border.
Noem said Trump’s administration is “putting American people first” as the new president’s crackdown on immigration gathers pace.
Posting a video to X on Saturday, Noem said: “Since President Trump has been in the office had a 93 percent decrease in border crossings. That means that President Trump has secured the border with his policies.”
“We are going to get to work and get these guys out of here, a bunch of dirtbags,” she added.
Watch Noem’s statement here:
Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem pledges to ‘get dirtbags out of here‘
Vice President defends Trump’s statement linking ‘DEI’ to D.C. plane crash
16:45 , Katie Hawkinson
Vice President J.D. Vance defended President Donald Trump’s remarks baselessly linking diversity, equity and inclusion practices in government to the Washington, D.C. aircraft collision.
“The president made very clear that he wasn’t blaming anybody, but he was being very explicit about the fact that DEI policies have led our air traffic controllers to be short-staffed,” Vance told Fox News on Sunday. “That is a scandal. Thankfully, it’s a scandal that the president has stopped.”
All 67 people on both aircraft are believed to be dead, and the cause of the collision is still under investigation.
Vance said it’s important officials “investigate everything” but doubled down on his claims that “DEI policies” may have impacted air traffic control.
“Let’s just say the person at the controls didn’t have enough staffing around him or her because we were turning people away because of DEI reasons,” Vance said.
“There is a very direct connection between the policies of the last administration and short-staffed air traffic controllers,” he added.
Vice President JD Vance speaks about Wednesday’s aircraft collision over Washington, D.C. from the White House (REUTERS)
Bitcoin values tumble after Trump signs tariffs
16:30 , Katie Hawkinson
Bitcoin fell below the $100,000 mark Sunday and the cryptocurrency market shed $200 billion in value, DLNews reports, following President Donald Trump’s decision to enact tariffs against Canada, Mexico and Canada.
Both Canadian and Mexican officials have already vowed to retaliate by levying similar tariffs on U.S. goods.
Editorial: Trump tariffs cannot deter Starmer from seeking closer EU ties
16:14 , The Independent View
Donald Trump’s imposition of tariffs of 25 percent on goods from Canada and Mexico and 10 percent on Chinese imports is not only bad news for these countries but also for the US and the rest of the world.
Continue reading:
Trump tariffs cannot deter Starmer from seeking closer EU ties
Rubio travels to Panama after Trump threatened to ‘take back’ Panama Canal
16:00 , Katie Hawkinson
Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Panama on Saturday, days after President Donald Trump threatened to “take back” the Panama Canal.
“China is operating the Panama Canal and we didn’t give it to China, we gave it to Panama,” Trump said late last month.
“And we’re taking it back,” he continued.
But the Panama Canal is not on the table, President Jose Raul Mulino said.
“I cannot negotiate and much less open a negotiation over the canal,” he previously said. “It is sealed. The canal belongs to Panama.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives in Panama City (EPA)
Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu travels to Washington for Trump
15:30 , Katie Hawkinson
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has traveled to Washington, D.C. ahead of his meeting with President Donald Trump on Tuesday.
The meeting will mark Trump’s first since taking the White House last month, which Netanyahu called “a testimony to the strength of our personal friendship.”
“That friendship and that cooperation has already yielded important results for Israel and the Middle East, including the historic Abraham Accords that President Trump led and which brought four historic peace treaties between Israel and its Arab neighbors,” Netanyahu said.
Trump defends tariffs in Sunday morning rant
14:54 , Katie Hawkinson
President Donald Trump defended his executive orders levying tariffs against China, Canada and Mexico in a Sunday morning Truth Social post.
“The ‘Tariff Lobby,’ headed by the Globalist, and always wrong, Wall Street Journal, is working hard to justify Countries like Canada, Mexico, China, and too many others to name, continue the decades long RIPOFF OF AMERICA, both with regard to TRADE, CRIME, AND POISONOUS DRUGS that are allowed to so freely flow into AMERICA,” Trump wrote.
This comes after both Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau vowed to retaliate with similar tariffs on U.S. goods overnight.
Trump tariffs risk ‘really damaging impact’ on global economy – Yvette Cooper
14:45 , David Lynch
Donald Trump risks having a “really damaging impact” on the global economy as he pursues tariffs against the US’s nearest neighbours, a senior Cabinet minister has suggested.
The US president has introduced a 25% levy on goods coming from Mexico and Canada, and a 10% trade tax on Chinese goods, which will come into effect on Tuesday.
The penalties have sparked fears of a new era of trade wars across the globe.
Keep reading:
Trump tariffs risk ‘really damaging impact’ on global economy – Yvette Cooper
ICYMI: Trump signed orders imposing tariffs
14:30 , Katie Hawkinson
President Donald Trump signed executive orders Saturday implementing tariffs on imports from China, Canada and Mexico.
The orders include retaliation clauses, which means the U.S. will increase tariffs if the countries respond with similar moves, Bloomberg reports.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned the move.
“It would be nice if Donald Trump could start focusing on getting the prices down instead of making them go up,” Schumer said in a statement.
“All tariffs are not created equal. Donald Trump is aiming his new tariffs at Mexico, Canada, and China but they will likely hit Americans in their wallets. I am concerned these new tariffs will further drive up costs for American consumers.”
Mexico and Canada announce tariff retaliations as Trump sparks new trade war
14:00 , Mike Bedigan
Both Mexico and Canada have both announced retaliatory tariffs against the U.S., after Donald Trump signed an order imposing sweeping levies against both nations.
Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced their decisions on Saturday, initiating what is likely to be an economic standoff with America and its two largest trading partners.=
Read the full story here:
Mexico and Canada announce tariff retaliations as Trump sparks new trade war
Exclusive: ‘Utterly terrifying’ poll reveals Elon Musk effect pushing far-right AfD closer to power in Germany
13:30 , David Maddox
A new poll has fuelled growing fears that the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party could be on the cusp of winning power.
The findings show billionaire X social media platform owner Elon Musk has helped catapult AfD into second place with their leader Alice Weidel the favourite to become the country’s new chancellor.
The survey results have been described as “utterly terrifying” by Labour MP Blair McDougall who sits on the Commons foreign affairs select committee, who has branded Musk “the most irresponsible man on Earth.”
‘Terrifying’ poll reveals Musk effect pushing far-right closer to power in Germany
China calls Trump tariffs a ‘serious violation’ and vows to respond in kind
13:00 , Alexander Butler
China calls Trump tariffs a ‘serious violation’ and vows to respond in kind
Trump administration slams Selena Gomez in new video after sobbing over deportations
12:30 , Brittany Miller
The White House has responded to Selena Gomez’s Instagram video where she tearfully reacted to recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids across the country.
Continue reading:
Trump administration slams Selena Gomez in new video after sobbing over deportations
Watch: Fox News hosts say Trump played ‘consoler-in-chief’ after he linked deadly DC crash to DEI
11:30 , Katie Hawkinson
Mexico ‘categorically reject’ White House claim of alliances with criminal groups
11:24 , Holly Evans
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she had instructed her economy secretary to implement a response that includes retaliatory tariffs and other measures in defence of Mexico’s interests.
“We categorically reject the White House’s slander that the Mexican government has alliances with criminal organisations, as well as any intention of meddling in our territory,” Ms Sheinbaum wrote in a post on X.
“If the United States government and its agencies wanted to address the serious fentanyl consumption in their country, they could fight the sale of drugs on the streets of their major cities, which they don’t do and the laundering of money that this illegal activity generates that has done so much harm to its population.”
Mexico and Canada order retaliatory messages in trade war with US
11:04 , Holly Evans
Mexico and Canada have ordered retaliatory measures against the US after President Donald Trump placed sweeping tariffs on goods from its two neighbours and China.
Mr Trump posted on social media that the tariffs are necessary “to protect Americans”, pressing the three nations to do more to curb the manufacture and export of illicit fentanyl and for Canada and Mexico to reduce illegal immigration into the US.
The action fulfilled one of Mr Trump’s commitments to voters, but threw the global economy and his political mandate to lower prices into turmoil.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in response that Canadian duties on 30 billion dollars (£24 billion) worth of trade in American alcohol and fruit will take effect on Tuesday when the US tariffs begin.
He opened his address to Canadians with a message aimed at American consumers.
“It will have real consequences for you, the American people,” he said, saying it will result in higher prices on groceries and other goods.
Mr Trudeau channelled the views of many Canadians feeling betrayed by their neighbour and long-time ally, reminding Americans that Canadian troops fought alongside them in Afghanistan.
“The actions taken today by the White House split us apart instead of bringing us together,” Mr Trudeau said, warning in French that it could bring about “dark times” for many people.
ICYMI: Somalia airstrikes targeted senior ‘ISIS attack planner,’ Trump says
10:30 , Paul Farrell, Tara Copp, Aamer Mahdani
Watch: Reform chair hits out at Trump for ‘political point scoring’ after Washington DC crash
09:30 , Katie Hawkinson
ICYMI: Trump could halt congestion pricing that has helped unsnarl Manhattan’s busy streets
08:30 , Ariana Baio
Donald Trump could halt New York’s controversial congestion pricing program despite it successfully unsnarling many of the city’s bumper-to-bumper streets.
The Department of Transportation is considering revoking the federal authorization that the Biden administration approved last year which gave the program the green light, The New York Times reported on Thursday.
Read more:
Trump could halt congestion pricing that has helped unsnarl Manhattan’s busy streets
Will CBS News’ parent company settle Trump’s ‘frivolous’ 60 Minutes lawsuit to secure huge merger?
07:30 , Justin Baragona
Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS, is currently in discussions with Donald Trump’s legal team about settling the president’s $10 billion lawsuit over a 60 Minutes interview that the network says is “completely without merit,” and legal experts have labeled “frivolous and dangerous.”
Read more:
Will CBS News’ parent company settle Trump’s ‘frivolous’ 60 Minutes lawsuit?
Trump rocks FBI by telling senior officials to resign or be fired as fears grow over retribution under Kash Patel
06:30 , Gustaf Kilander
Top officials at the FBI have been told to retire or be fired in the next few days as fears brew within the nation’s top law enforcement agency over the possible appointment of Kash Patel, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the new director.
Read more:
Trump rocks FBI by telling senior officials to resign or be fired
Mexico’s president calls on Google to identify US as ‘América Mexicana’
05:30 , Mary Papenfuss
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has blasted Google for kowtowing to Donald Trump by changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico – and wants the United States to be identified as “América Mexicana.”
Read more:
Mexican president calls on Google to identify US as ‘América Mexicana’
What is DEI? The diversity scheme Trump is blaming for Washington DC crash
04:30 , Madeline Sherratt
Since taking office on 20 January, Donald Trump has issued a series of executive orders aimed at dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion programs across the federal government and the private sector.
While Trump’s orders have been celebrated by some supporters and allies, they have been criticized by advocacy groups who say they might deepen inequities and undo decades of progress made to enshrine civil rights protections for marginalized groups.
On Thursday, the president baselessly tried to blame the Washington DC plane crash that has killed 67 people on DEI diversity measures.
Read more:
What is DEI? The diversity scheme Trump is blaming for Washington DC crash
Watch: Nigel Farage compares Reform polling rise to Donald Trump’s election victory
03:30 , Katie Hawkinson
Mexico and Canada announce tariff retaliations as Trump sparks new trade war
03:09 , Mike Bedigan
Both Mexico and Canada have both announced retaliatory tariffs against the U.S., after Donald Trump signed an order imposing sweeping levies against both nations.
Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced their decisions on Saturday, initiating what is likely to be an economic standoff with America and its two largest trading partners.
Read the full story here:
Mexico and Canada announce tariff retaliations as Trump sparks new trade war
Trump strips travel reimbursement for troops seeking abortions and treatment
02:30 , Lolita C. Baldor
The Defense Department will no longer reimburse service members for travel out of state to get reproductive health care, including abortions and fertility treatments, according to a new memo.
Read more:
Trump strips travel reimbursement for troops seeking abortions and treatment
Elon Musk dropped nearly $300M supporting Donald Trump in 2024
00:30 , Katie Hawkinson
Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, spent more than $290 million supporting Donald Trump and his MAGA allies on the campaign trail last year.
The staggering figure was revealed after Musk submitted new filings to the Federal Election Commission covering the last five weeks of 2024. Prior filings reported in December had Musk’s total at more than $250 million.
Musk’s latest filings include records showing he put more than $11 million into his America PAC on New Year’s Eve for his “petition incentives.” Musk’s end-of-year contributions were related to the $1 million giveaway for registered voters who signed a petition on his PAC’s website in the final weeks of the presidential race, CNN reports.
Read more:
Elon Musk dropped nearly $300M supporting Donald Trump in 2024
Trump signs orders imposing tariffs
Saturday 1 February 2025 22:54 , Katie Hawkinson
President Donald Trump signed executive orders Saturday implementing tariffs on imports from China, Canada and Mexico.
The orders include retaliation clauses, which means the U.S. will increase tariffs if the countries respond with similar moves, Bloomberg reports.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned the move.
“It would be nice if Donald Trump could start focusing on getting the prices down instead of making them go up,” Schumer said in a statement.
“All tariffs are not created equal. Donald Trump is aiming his new tariffs at Mexico, Canada, and China but they will likely hit Americans in their wallets. I am concerned these new tariffs will further drive up costs for American consumers.”
ANALYSIS: This was the week Trump’s honeymoon ended
Friday 31 January 2025 22:30 , Oliver O’Connell
Eric Garcia writes:
Every president enjoys a “honeymoon phase,” with some lasting longer than others. Barack Obama had a relatively long one amid the euphoria of the United States electing its first Black president, but those feelings began to dissipate toward the summer amid the Great Recession. Joe Biden’s lasted until the U.S. exit from Afghanistan and inflation began to hit Americans’ pocketbooks.
But Trump already seems to show signs of weakness.
Read on…
This was the week Trump’s honeymoon ended
