Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
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
Trump-Putin meeting on hold, despite talk of Budapest summit
An expected meeting between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin was put on hold Tuesday, with the White House saying no summit is planned for the "immediate future." Published October 21, 2025
Where’s the beef? Here — not in Argentina, Republican lawmakers say
Republican Sen. Deb Fischer said Tuesday that President Trump's plan to buy beef from Argentina "isn't the right way" to bring down prices. Published October 21, 2025
Trump’s pick for Office of Special Counsel is in peril because of ‘Nazi’ and racist text messages
President Trump's nomination of Paul Ingrassia to lead the Office of the Special Counsel is in jeopardy 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
U.S. and Australia sign rare earth minerals-sharing agreement
Australia will be a major source of the rare earths being withheld by China, President Trump said Monday during a visit by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Published October 20, 2025
Trump team looks to Australia for rare earths to avoid Chinese ‘extortion’
Australia could be a major source of the rare earths being withheld by China, a top White House official said Monday ahead of a visit from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Published October 20, 2025
South Korea says a U.S. trade deal is possible before the APEC summit
South Korea is increasingly hopeful it can reach a trade deal with the U.S. before a major Asian summit in Gyeongju at the end of the month. Published October 20, 2025
Trump signs order imposing tariffs on heavy trucks, buses and parts
President Trump is following through on his threat to impose a 25% tariff on medium and heavy-duty trucks made outside of the U.S. Published October 17, 2025
Trump says his high tariff threat on China ‘not sustainable,’ will meet Xi
President Trump says the 100%-plus tariffs he's threatened to impose on China would not be sustainable and that he still plans to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at a summit in South Korea. Published October 17, 2025
Bolton turns himself in on classified docs indictment, pleads ‘not guilty’
Former National Security Adviser John R. Bolton is pleading not guilty to charges he mishandled classified information. Published October 17, 2025
Andrew Cuomo tries to knock down ‘first-timer’ Zohran Mamdani in NYC mayor’s debate
Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo late Thursday said choosing the right New York City mayor is a matter of life and death, casting doubt on Zohran Mamdani's chops in a bid to drag down the frontrunner weeks before the election. Published October 16, 2025
John Bolton indicted for mishandling classified government materials
John R. Bolton was indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury in Maryland on charges that he unlawfully retained classified information. Published October 16, 2025
DOJ to seek indictment against Trump aide-turned-critic Bolton over classified docs: Reports
The Department of Justice reportedly plans to seek a criminal indictment against former National Security Adviser John R. Bolton over allegations he unlawfully retained classified information. Published October 16, 2025
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says Trump is looking beyond China to help farmers
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the U.S. has to wean its farmers off reliance on China, which is refusing to buy American soybeans and reigniting trade tensions with President Trump. Published October 16, 2025
AI boom: Tech revolution or new bubble set to burst?
Investors are pouring hundreds of billions of dollars into artificial intelligence ventures, raising fears that stock prices won't match profits and lead to a bursting bubble that sends shockwaves through the economy. Published October 16, 2025
Chinese trade fight puts spotlight on rare earth elements that are vital for everyday tech
Americans rely on rare earth elements in their daily lives, whether they know it or not, making these metals a powerful bargaining chip in trade tensions between the U.S. and China. Published October 15, 2025
Trump officials lash out at China’s attempt to ‘command and control’ the global economy
Top U.S. officials on Wednesday condemned China's planned export crackdown as a "global supply chain power grab" that will require a coordinated response by allies. Published October 15, 2025
