Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Trump endorses himself in Canada’s national election
President Trump wished Canada "good luck" in its major election on Monday and made an endorsement -- himself. Published April 28, 2025
Beijing says Chinese President Xi didn’t call Trump
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Monday that President Xi Jinping has not called President Trump about trade. Published April 28, 2025
Trump says China-U.S. trade talks are happening; Beijing disputes that
President Trump on Thursday said trade negotiations are unfolding between the U.S. and China but refused to say who was involved, adding to confusion around the tariff spat after Beijing said no such talks are underway. Published April 24, 2025
China says trade talks with U.S. haven’t started
China on Thursday said there haven't been any trade talks between its side and the U.S., pushing back on comments from the Trump administration that signaled a possible thaw in the trade war. Published April 24, 2025
Bessent, Trump talk up trade deal with China, cheering markets
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday said the U.S. and China can reach a "big deal" if Beijing is serious about rebalancing its economy toward satisfying domestic demand instead of flooding the world with cheap goods. Published April 23, 2025
Bessent says U.S. won’t retreat from world, eyes ‘big deal’ with China
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday promoted President Trump's tariff plan as an overdue mission to make global trade fairer and combat China's flood of cheap exports. Published April 23, 2025
Wall Street rallies on Trump’s softer approach to Powell, China
Wall Street rallied Wednesday after President Trump softened his rhetoric on Fed Chairman Jerome Powell and China. Published April 23, 2025
White House claims ‘a lot of progress’ on trade as IMF cuts growth forecast
The White House on Tuesday said it's making "a lot of progress" in reducing trade barriers through bilateral deals with nations, pointing to over a dozen written proposals and a recent breakthrough with India. Published April 22, 2025
Trump to make two-day trip to Rome for funeral of Pope Francis
President Trump will depart Washington on Friday morning to attend Pope Francis' funeral in Rome over the weekend, the White House confirmed Tuesday. Published April 22, 2025
IMF downgrades growth forecast for U.S., pointing to ‘negative shock’ from tariffs
The International Monetary Fund slashed its 2025 growth forecast for the U.S. economy to 1.8%, a 0.9-point decrease from January, spurred by President Trump's trade actions and policy uncertainty. Published April 22, 2025
Vance says trade upheaval will pay off for U.S., partner nations like India
President Trump's effort to rebalance global trade will cause "profound changes" but will ultimately produce "great benefits" for Americans and partner nations such as India, Vice President J.D. Vance said Tuesday. Published April 22, 2025
Trump ramps up attacks on Powell while China flexes, markets fall again
Wall Street markets cratered again Monday as investors reacted to President Trump's decision to dial up attacks on Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome H. Powell, even dubbing him a "major loser," and trade talks faced an uncertain path to success. Published April 21, 2025
VP Vance, Indian Prime Minister Modi set the table for bilateral trade deal
Vice President J.D. Vance and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi used a personal meeting Monday to finalize a roadmap for a future bilateral trade deal between their countries. Published April 21, 2025
Trump ramps up attacks on Fed chair as ‘major loser,’ stocks fall again
President Trump escalated his attacks on Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell Monday, dubbing him a "major loser" who is dragging his feet on lowering interest rates. Published April 21, 2025
China says it will punish countries that use U.S. trade talks to ostracize Beijing
China on Monday threatened to retaliate against any nation that agreed to isolate Beijing as part of trade negotiations with the Trump administration. Published April 21, 2025
Pope Francis, who died after a cerebral stroke led to heart failure, is mourned worldwide
Pope Francis died on Easter Monday after a cerebral stroke led to heart failure, a seismic and emotional development for the Catholic Church, political leaders and culture writ large. Published April 21, 2025
Trump White House launches web page on COVID-19 lab leak
The Trump White House is leaning heavily into the lab-leak theory on the origins of COVID-19 with a web page that outlines evidence of a spillover from a virology center in Wuhan, China, instead of nature. Published April 18, 2025
Trump says U.S. might have to ‘take a pass’ on Ukraine-Russia peace talks
President Trump said Friday he needs to hear "very shortly" from Russia and Ukraine about whether they are ready to broker a peace deal or else the U.S. will "take a pass." Published April 18, 2025
Into the woods: Trump says U.S. should rely on its own lumber
The U.S. construction market consumes at least 50 billion board feet of lumber annually, but domestic production meets only 70% of that demand. The U.S. closes the gap by importing the rest, mainly from Canada. Published April 18, 2025
Trump threatens to fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell: ‘Not happy with him’
President Trump on Thursday said Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell will be "out of there" if he decides to fire him from his post, striking a harsh tone with the central bank at home while he struck an upbeat note about trade deals with the European Union and China. Published April 17, 2025
