President Donald Trump meets Thursday with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has heaped praise on him and is hoping to avoid tariffs that Trump has ordered for imports from other countries. The White House said Trump would sign a new order ahead of their meeting that could impose reciprocal tariffs across the global economy. European anger over changing U.S. policy on the Russia-Ukraine war will be on display at Thursday’s NATO meeting. At the Capital, Robert F. Kennedy's nomination for health secretary reaches a final Senate vote. And shockwaves continue throughout the federal workforce as Elon Musk's DOGE team works to dismantle much of government.
Here's the latest:
Trump says he’s signing an order for sweeping tariffs today
The president posted on social media that his executive order increases U.S. tariffs to the rates other countries charge on imports.
“TODAY IS THE BIG ONE: RECIPROCAL TARIFFS!!!†Trump said on his social media site Truth Social. “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!â€
A dramatic hike on tariffs could send shockwaves through the world economy, possibly depressing growth while causing inflation to intensify. Trump has maintained that such tariffs will help to create domestic factory jobs, but most economists say they would effectively be a tax increase on U.S. consumers that would add to inflationary pressures.
Trump has not specified yet how he defines the term “reciprocal†and whether his order would apply only to matching tariffs or to address other foreign taxes he views as barriers to American exports.
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Senate to vote on vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s bid to become nation’s health secretary
The Senate is expected to vote Thursday on the confirmation of ., a prominent lawyer and vocal vaccine critic, as the nation’s health secretary, controlling $1.7 trillion in spending for vaccines, food safety and health insurance programs for roughly half the country.
Despite several Republicans expressing deep skepticism about his views on vaccines, Kennedy is expected to win confirmation, absent any last-minute changes.
But with the backing of Republican President Trump, Kennedy believes he is “uniquely positioned†to revive trust in those public health agencies, which include the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Institutes for Health.
Republican senators have largely embraced Kennedy’s vision, reciting his newly hatched slogan to “Make America Healthy Again†in speeches.
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Trump’s third-term musings seem more a tease than a pledge
Trump has just started his second term, his last one permitted under the U.S. Constitution. But he’s already started about serving a third one.
Over the years, Trump and his supporters have often joked about him serving more than his two constitutionally permitted terms. But his musings often spark alarm among his critics, given that he to overturn his and has since supporters who the U.S. Capitol on .
But Trump, who when his term ends, has repeatedly said that this will be his last term. Trying for another also would flatly violate the Constitution.
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What to know about the federal workforce under Trump
Carrie Muniak joins a rally in front of the Office of Personnel Management, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Since Trump began his second term last month, he has focused on the at a breakneck pace.
From dismantling to offering , Trump’s Republican administration has released executive orders and memos aimed at the size of government and where work.
A federal judge on Wednesday removed a key legal hurdle stalling President ’s plan to downsize the federal workforce with a deferred resignation program.
The Boston-based judge’s order in the challenge filed by a group of labor unions was a significant legal victory for the Republican president after .
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What to expect during Modi’s visit to Washington
T is expected to meet with Indian Prime Minister , who has heaped praise on him and is hoping to avoid that the new administration has slapped on other countries in its opening weeks.
Modi is a nationalist and has talked up his warm relationship with Trump during his first term while cheering his winning back the White House. The Indian leader is looking to improve relations with Washington and the West overall, which have been frosty lately after Modi for its .
The White House visit isn’t likely to be all smiles, though.
Trump has already imposed and says more are coming against the European Union, while and expanding he initially imposed during his first term.
Trump has repeatedly dubbed India a “tariff king.†In response, New Delhi has shown a willingness to buy more American oil while lowering its own tariffs on U.S. goods, including on some Harley-Davidson motorcycles, from 50% to 40%.
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