Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
U.S. will lower tariffs after China delays rare earth restrictions, says Trump
President Trump said Thursday the U.S. would lower its fentanyl-related tariffs on Chinese goods after Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to delay rare earth restrictions for at least a year. Published October 30, 2025
Senate votes to nullify Trump tariffs on Canada with four Republicans defying Trump
The Senate voted Wednesday to terminate the emergency powers that President Trump used to impose tariffs on products from Canada, a neighbor and major trading partner. Published October 29, 2025
Federal Reserve votes for another quarter-percentage point cut
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday slashed interest rates for the second time in as many months, pointing to a slowdown in hiring. Published October 29, 2025
China makes its first purchase of U.S. soybeans this year
China is purchasing its first cargoes of soybeans from U.S. farmers this year, a major development for American growers on the cusp of President Trump's major sit-down with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Published October 29, 2025
Senate votes to nullify Trump’s tariffs on Brazil in symbolic messaging effort
The Senate voted late Tuesday to terminate the emergency powers that President Trump used to impose tariffs on goods from Brazil, a major coffee producer and South American trading partner. Published October 28, 2025
Trump Media to join Crypto.com in prediction markets
President Trump's media company said Tuesday it will launch a betting market on Truth Social in partnership with Crypto.com, a move that could raise questions about his entanglement with regulated industries. Published October 28, 2025
Trump slams Fed Chair Powell as ‘incompetent’ ahead of interest-rate decision
President Trump called Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell "incompetent" Tuesday during a Japanese business roundtable, one day before a key interest-rate decision by the central bank. Published October 28, 2025
Trump won’t meet Canadian PM Mark Carney during Asia trip, despite trade progress with others
President Trump's biggest trade fight is close to home and with the unlikeliest of foes. Published October 27, 2025
Trump doesn’t plan to meet Canadian PM Mark Carney during Asia trip, leaving trade in turmoil
President Trump said Monday he does not plan to meet Canada's leader "for a long time," signaling that his anger over an anti-tariff ad hasn't subsided. Published October 27, 2025
Trump is willing to meet with North Korean leader Kim while he’s in East Asia for APEC forum
President Trump said he would be willing to extend his Asia trip if North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un wanted to meet him. Published October 27, 2025
Ontario premier says anti-tariff ads will stop airing after early World Series games
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he will run anti-tariff commercials that enraged President Trump during the first two games of the World Series before pulling the ads Monday in hopes of restarting trade talks. Published October 24, 2025
Trump mounts blitz to defend tariff plans ahead of ‘most important case ever’ at Supreme Court
President Trump is sharpening his focus on a Supreme Court fight that could upend his sweeping trade agenda, dubbing it a historic case and terminating Canadian trade talks over alleged interference in the litigation. Published October 24, 2025
Inflation for September comes in cooler than expected
Prices for consumer goods rose 0.3% in September, or lower than expected, according to a long-delayed economic report issued despite the government shutdown. Published October 24, 2025
Trump terminates Canada trade talks over anti-tariff Reagan ad
President Trump is terminating trade talks with Canada, saying that its most populous province interfered in the legal fight over his trade agenda with a television ad featuring Ronald Reagan. Published October 24, 2025
White House confirms Trump meeting with Xi at summit in South Korea
President Trump will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of an Asian summit in South Korea next week, the White House said Thursday, confirming a sit-down that could resolve trade tensions between the world's largest economies. Published October 23, 2025
Trump bringing more beef from Argentina; U.S. cattlemen not excited
The Trump administration is quadrupling the quota of beef that can be imported from Argentina. Published October 23, 2025
China confirms trade talks with U.S. in Malaysia to defuse tensions, set table for Trump and Xi
China said Thursday it is sending its top trade official, Vice Premier He Lifeng, to meet with top Trump administration officials in Malaysia as the world's largest economies try to cool rising trade tensions. Published October 23, 2025
Trump: Cattle ranchers ‘don’t understand’ his efforts to protect beef industry, grocery consumers
President Trump pleaded Wednesday for understanding from American cattle ranchers after the industry and GOP lawmakers criticized his plan to buy beef from Argentina to bring down consumer prices. Published October 22, 2025
USDA to open county offices, restart farmer aid despite shutdown
President Trump is directing the U.S. Department of Agriculture to free up billions of dollars in farmer aid frozen by the government shutdown. Published October 22, 2025
Ingrassia withdraws nomination for special counsel position over ‘Nazi’ and racist texts
Paul Ingrassia, President Trump's pick to lead the Office of Special Counsel, withdrew his nomination late Tuesday after reports that he sent racist texts demeaning the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and declaring he had "a Nazi streak." Published October 21, 2025