Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Trump: ‘Not my decision’ to bring Kilmar Abrego Garcia back from El Salvador
President Trump says he didn't make the call to bring Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran migrant at the heart of a major deportation legal battle, back to the U.S. Published June 7, 2025
Trump to stop at Camp David for work retreat
President Trump plans to leave his New Jersey golf club this weekend and take a brief retreat with administration principals at Camp David on Sunday. Published June 7, 2025
Trump says Musk will face ‘consequences’ if he backs Democrats
President Trump says former ally Elon Musk will face "serious consequences" if the billionaire bankrolls Democratic candidates during their feud. Published June 7, 2025
Obama’s doc criticizes Biden physician for failing to require cognitive test
President Barack Obama's former doctor says his counterpart under President Joe Biden should have ordered a cognitive test for his boss in 2024 because of Mr. Biden's age. Published June 7, 2025
Trump says Xi will relinquish rare earths; trade talks set for Monday in London
President Trump says Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to restart the flow of rare earth minerals that are a critical piece of trade negotiations between the world's largest economies. Published June 7, 2025
Vance hopes Musk mends showdown with Trump
Vice President J.D. Vance said it was a "huge mistake" for billionaire Elon Musk to go after President Trump but he hopes the government-cutting entrepreneur "comes back into the fold." Published June 7, 2025
U.S., China set to meet on trade in London, Trump says
President Trump says his top trade negotiators will meet with their Chinese counterparts on Monday in London to discuss the next steps in settling trade disputes. Published June 6, 2025
Trump pushes for big rate cut from Fed during ‘booming’ economy
President Trump is pressing Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome H. Powell for a full-point cut in interest rates, even as he insists the economy is booming. Published June 6, 2025
U.S. trade deficit dropped by record amount in April, Commerce Dept. says
The U.S. trade deficit saw a dramatic decrease in April as companies adjusted to President Trump's ever-changing tariff policy, according to a Commerce Department report. Published June 6, 2025
U.S. employment increased 139,000 in May; tally is a slowdown from April, yet it beat forecasts
The U.S. added 139,000 jobs in May, the government said in a monthly report that showed a slowdown from the prior month but stronger growth than expected. Published June 6, 2025
Trump and Xi’s phone call sets up more trade talks, ‘straightens out’ rare earth minerals dispute
President Trump said he had a "very positive" call with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday that focused solely on trade disputes and set the table for another meeting among high-level officials. Published June 5, 2025
Trump to test German Chancellor Merz on trade, Ukraine war at White House meeting
President Trump's meeting Thursday with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz showcases America's tough pivot on trade, security and the war in Ukraine. Published June 5, 2025
Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping discuss trade, extend invites to each other’s countries
President Trump said he had a "very positive" call with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday that focused solely on trade disputes and set the table for another round of talks among high-level officials. Published June 5, 2025
Trump tariffs would slash deficits by $2.8T but hamstring economy, raise inflation, says CBO
President Trump's tariffs would dramatically slash budget deficits through new revenues but also reduce the size of the U.S. economy and spark inflation that erodes the purchasing power of households and businesses, according to congressional budget scorekeepers. Published June 5, 2025
China’s trade gambit: Beijing plays hardball in Trump tariff talks to try to save its economy
Hobbled by an aging population, a weak housing sector and other problems at home, China enters high-stakes trade talks with the U.S. with a laser focus on knocking down President Trump's tariffs and semiconductor restrictions to protect its flagging economy. Published June 4, 2025
U.S., EU say trade talks are heading in the right direction
The U.S. trade representative on Wednesday said trade talks with the European Union are "advancing quickly" as President Trump seeks deals on multiple fronts ahead of a self-imposed July deadline to negotiate tariff levels. Published June 4, 2025
Trump says it is hard to make a deal with Chinese President Xi ahead of possible call
President Trump complained Wednesday that it's "extremely hard" to make a deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping, as the U.S. and China exchange complaints over trade and contemplate a call between the powerful leaders. Published June 4, 2025
U.S. urges countries to make ‘best offers’ for trade deals before July tariff deadline
The White House confirmed Tuesday it sent a letter to foreign nations ordering them to make their best offers on trade ahead of a midsummer deadline to settle tariff disputes. Published June 3, 2025
U.S. economic growth set to decline in 2025, 2026 due to trade uncertainty, international forum says
U.S. economic growth is projected to decline to just 1.6% in 2025 and 1.5% in 2026 due to trade uncertainty and other factors, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said Tuesday. Published June 3, 2025
Trump and Xi expect to talk by phone this week amid tensions
President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to talk by phone later this week, the White House said Monday, as the world's largest economies accuse each other of undermining their trade truce struck in May. Published June 2, 2025
