President Trump made good on his campaign promise and enacted steep tariffs on the country’s top three trading partners Saturday.
Trump hit Canada and Mexico with a 25 percent import tax and China with a 10 percent one on Saturday. Canadian energy sources will have a 10 percent tariff, the White House announced.
The tariffs will take effect on Tuesday.
The president has previously claimed these taxes are necessary to offset economic harms, but also alleged Canada and Mexico are refusing to take the steps to curb the flow of migrants and fentanyl to the U.S.
“Look, Mexico and Canada have never been good to us on trade,” he said Thursday during remarks from the White House, adding, that “they’ve treated us very unfairly on trade, and we will be able to make that up very quickly because we don’t need the products that they have.
The markets slipped on Friday in anticipation of the tariffs on the countries while Trump has consistently brushed off potential costs from the move.
Up Next – Outgoing DNC chief: Democrats should have stuck with Biden
On Friday, he also vowed to implement aggressive tariffs on semiconductor chips, pharmaceuticals, steel, aluminum, and oil and gas. He hinted that these taxes would come into effect in the coming weeks.
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Also on Saturday, in Maryland, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) held elections to choose its next chair as the party looks to rebuild and win back voting blocs lost in November’s election. Ken Martin, who led Minnesota’s party chapter, won the election.
Back in Washington, local and federal officials continue to investigate what caused an American Airlines regional jet and Black Hawk military helicopter to collide on Wednesday, killing all on board.
Federal officials are also investigating Friday’s fatal plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia that killed six Mexican nationals.
Follow along below for the latest updates.
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4 HOURS AGO
Mexico, Canada announce retaliatory measures following Trump tariffs
ASHLEIGH FIELDS
Mexico and Canada are retaliating against President Trump’s Saturday tariff announcements, enacting countermeasures of their own.
“Problems are not resolved by imposing tariffs, but by talking and dialoguing, as we did in recent weeks with your State Department to address the phenomenon of migration; in our case, with respect for human rights,” Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum wrote in a Saturday post on X, noting her team has been in constant communication with his.
READ MORE HERE.
5 HOURS AGO
US Chamber of Commerce says ‘tariffs are not the answer’
ASHLEIGH FIELDS
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce issued a Saturday statement condemning President Trump’s new tariffs against Mexico and Canada.
“The President is right to focus on major problems like our broken border and the scourge of fentanyl, but the imposition of tariffs under IEEPA is unprecedented, won’t solve these problems, and will only raise prices for American families and upend supply chains,” said John Murphy, senior vice president and head of international.
He shared his reasoning against implementing 25 percent tariffs on neighboring countries and 10 percent tariffs on China.
“The Chamber will consult with our members, including main street businesses across the country impacted by this move, to determine next steps to prevent economic harm to Americans,” he added.
“We will continue to work with Congress and the administration on solutions to address the fentanyl and border crisis.”
9 HOURS AGO
CDC says it’s updating website to comply with Trump orders
SOPHIA VENTO
A new banner has been placed at the top of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website stating it is being updated to comply with President Trump’s recent executive orders.
“CDC’s website is being modified to comply with President Trump’s Executive Orders,” the banner reads.
This comes as several webpages on federal websites have been taken down since Trump took office late last month.
On Friday, the Office for Personnel Management said there was no plan to shut down any federal website amid confusion, calling reports “false rumors.”
Earlier Saturday, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) website appeared to be taken down. The website has an error message when one navigates to the page.
9 HOURS AGO
Trump on tariffs: ‘We need to protect Americans’
SOPHIA VENTO
President Trump said he enacted tariffs on Mexican, Chinese and Canadian imports because of illegal immigration and fentanyl coming through the country’s borders.
“We need to protect Americans, and it is my duty as President to ensure the safety of all,” he wrote on Truth Social on Saturday. “I made a promise on my Campaign to stop the flood of illegal aliens and drugs from pouring across our Borders, and Americans overwhelmingly voted in favor of it. ”
10 HOURS AGO
Trump signs tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China
BRETT SAMUELS
PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Trump on Saturday imposed significant tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China, a White House spokesperson said, following through on a long-standing pledge and potentially setting off a trade war with the United States’ top trading partners.
Read the full story here.
12 HOURS AGO
USAID website is down
FILIP TIMOTIJA
The website for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is not working as of Saturday afternoon.
When a user navigates to the webpage, an error message stating “this site can’t be reached” emerges.
The development comes as recent news reports stated that President Trump is considering placing USAID, an independent agency that disburses foreign aid and development, under the control of the State Department.
12 HOURS AGO
What to know about Ken Martin, the next chair of the DNC
CAROLINE VAKIL
Minnesota Democrat Ken Martin won the race to be the Democratic National Committee’s (DNC) next leader on Saturday afternoon, taking the reins from outgoing chair Jaime Harrison.
Martin won the DNC race as committee members gathered in Maryland to cast their votes, ultimately securing support from over 246 people out of the 448 who voted, winning on the first ballot.
He ran against seven other contenders for the role, including Wisconsin state party chair Ben Wikler, who notably received endorsements from top Democratic leadership in Congress, and former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley.
Read more here.
14 HOURS AGO
Trump speaks with president of Egypt
BRETT SAMUELS
President Trump spoke Saturday with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt, the White House said.
The two leaders discussed Egypt’s role in securing a ceasfire between Hamas and Israel that facilitated that release of hostages, according to a readout. It was unclear if they discussed Trump’s push for Egypt and Jordan to take in Palestinian refugees from Gaza.
14 HOURS AGO
Ken Martin elected next DNC chair
CAROLINE VAKIL
Minnesota state party chair Ken Martin was elected on Saturday as the next leader of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) after securing 246 votes out of the 428 members who voted, winning on the first ballot.
Martin was seen as one of the frontrunners in the race, beating Wisconsin state party chair Ben Wikler and former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, who were among the seven other candidates running against the Minnesota Democrat.
Read the full story here.
14 HOURS AGO
Biden, Harris offer surprise video messages at DNC
CAROLINE VAKIL
Former President Biden and former Vice President Harris offered surprise video messages at the DNC while the party was tabulating the votes for the DNC chair race. The video messages are notable given both Democrats have largely stayed out of the spotlight after the party’s disappointing election.
“We know the battle for the soul of America continues today,” Biden said in his video.
“In this moment, the strength of our institutions, of our democracy, the presidency, the Congress, the courts, the free and independent press, and yes, our party, matter more now than they ever have,” he said.
“I thank all leaders here today for your hard work, your determination and your commitment to fighting to always build a brighter future for our country,” Harris said in her video message. “Look, we love our country, and I do believe it is one of the highest forms of patriotism to fight for the ideals of our nation, to fight for freedom, for opportunity…”
15 HOURS AGO
Trump says he ordered precision strikes targeting ISIS
BRETT SAMUELS
President Trump said he ordered a precision air strike on Saturday morning targeting a “senior ISIS Attack planner” and others the unnamed individual recruited and led in Somalia.
“These killers, who we found hiding in caves, threatened the United States and our Allies,” Trump posted on social media. “The strikes destroyed the caves they live in, and killed many terrorists without, in any way, harming civilians.”
The Pentagon did not immediately provide additional details about the strikes.
15 HOURS AGO
Ballots now being distributed in DNC chair race
CAROLINE VAKIL
The DNC is now distributing ballots in the race for national party chair after all eight candidates made speeches to committee members, with members just about to cast their votes.
The three frontrunners are Minnesota state party chair Ken Martin, Wisconsin state party chair Ben Wikler and former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley.
15 HOURS AGO
Shakir offers last speech ahead of DNC chair election
CAROLINE VAKIL
Faiz Shakir, former campaign manager for Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), offered the last speech to DNC members in the chair election.
He made an appeal to committee members, saying it wasn’t too late to back his candidacy despite his late entry.
15 HOURS AGO
Philadelphia mayor: Plane crash death toll rises to 7
SOPHIA VENTO
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker (D) said Saturday that seven people were killed in a Friday evening plane crash in the northeast part of the city.
All six people aboard the air ambulance as well as a bystander in a car perished. Parker said there are at least 19 people being treated for injuries.
“In the face of this tragedy, Philadelphia is responding in the Philly way – law enforcement protecting our communities, neighbors helping neighbors, Pennsylvanians working together,” Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) added in a Saturday social media post.
An investigation is underway.
15 HOURS AGO
Snyder drops DNC chair bid, endorses Martin
CAROLINE VAKIL
Former Department of Homeland Security official Nate Snyder announced toward the end of his remarks that he was dropping his bid to be DNC chair and also backing Minnesota state party chair Ken Martin for the job— a sign that candidates are trying to quickly consolidate the race.
Former presidential hopeful Marianne Williamson also said she was endorsing Martin in the race.
15 HOURS AGO
Paul, Hathaway offer speeches to the DNC
CAROLINE VAKIL
Attorney Jason Paul and former Arkansas congressional candidate Quintessa Hathaway are offering speeches to DNC committee members, though people in the audience and even some DNC members are milling about ahead of the chair election and chatting with others.
Both are also seen as longshots for the role.
Hathaway acknowledged the dynamics of the race toward the end of her remarks, describing it as the “Ben, Ken and O’Malley show.”
15 HOURS AGO
Trump says Venezuela agreed to accept migrants back, lauds return of hostages
FILIP TIMOTIJA
President Trump said that Venezuela has agreed to accept the country’s migrants living in the U.S. back as he lauded the return of six American hostages who were held in the Latin American country.
“It is so good to have the Venezuela Hostages back home and, very important to note, that Venezuela has agreed to receive, back into their Country, all Venezuela illegal aliens who were encamped in the U.S., including gang members of Tren de Aragua,” Trump wrote in a Saturday morning post on Truth Social. “Venezuela has further agreed to supply the transportation back.”
Read the full story here.
15 HOURS AGO
6 dead, 19 injured in Philadelphia plane crash
SOPHIA VENTO
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker shared Saturday morning that all six people aboard an air ambulance that crashed in the city Friday died.
Parker also stated that at least 19 people were injured and treated at area hospitals following the incident.
“Much more work remains to be done,” she said in a post on social platform X. “Please stay home and safe.”
15 HOURS AGO
Williamson makes surprise endorsement of Martin in DNC chair race
CAROLINE VAKIL
DNC chair candidate and former presidential hopeful Marianne Williamson delivered her remarks to the committee members in her bid to lead the national party before offering a surprising last-minute endorsement toward the end, backing Minnesota state party chair Ken Martin for DNC chair.
Williamson was long seen as a longshot for the national party chair, though her last-minute endorsement might offer progressives another reason to give Martin a second look for the role.
16 HOURS AGO
Martin makes his case to DNC members, to cheers of ‘Yes we Ken!’
CAROLINE VAKIL
Minnesota state party chair Ken Martin made his case to DNC members after three Democrats offered nominating speeches in favor of him.
“The thing is this, when the Trump agenda fails Americans, which it most certainly will and already has, we have to be there with the legitimate alternative to this chaos,” Martin said.
Before and after his speech, some in the audience chanted and cheered “Yes we Ken!”
16 HOURS AGO
Wikler offers fiery speech to DNC members
CAROLINE VAKIL
Wisconsin state party chair Ben Wikler offered a fiery speech to Democratic National Committee (DNC) members in arguing why they should be consider him to take the helm of the national party.
“Ask yourself, who can work with you to build a party that this country needs? The world needs the Democratic Party to get up off the mat, but the world doesn’t get to vote. You do,” Wikler said.
“So I’m asking for your vote because I believe in you. I believe in your power. You have a superpower in this moment,” he added.
16 HOURS AGO
Canadians largely against proposal to merge with US: Survey
FILIP TIMOTIJA
The majority of Canadians are opposed to their country merging with the U.S., something President Trump has suggested in recent weeks, according to new surveys published on Friday.
The new YouGov polls, conducted in both the U.S. and Canada, found that 77 percent of Canadians are strongly or somewhat against Canada becoming a part of the U.S. while 15 percent said they are supportive of the idea. Some eight percent were unsure.
Read the full story here.
16 HOURS AGO
Head of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announces departure
BRETT SAMUELS
The head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced his departure on Saturday, becoming the latest Biden administration holdover official to be ousted by the Trump administration.
Rohit Chopra, who served as the director of the consumer watchdog agency since 2021, posted a letter addressed to President Trump online, in which he said his term leading the bureau “has concluded.” Chopra had been confirmed for a five-year term, which would have run through late 2026.
Read the full story here.
16 HOURS AGO
DNC kicks off nominating speeches
CAROLINE VAKIL
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) kicked off nominating speeches for each chair candidate in addition to remarks from the candidates themselves.
“This is not a normal DNC election. This is a time that cries out for new leadership and for change,” former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) said in his speech to the DNC after several individuals offered nominating speeches for him.
16 HOURS AGO
Sheinbaum offers condolences after 6 Mexican nationals killed in Philadelphia plane crash
STEFF DANIELLE THOMAS
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum issued a statement following Friday’s fatal plane crash in Pennsylvania, which involved six Mexican nationals.
“I regret the death of six Mexicans in the plane crash in Philadelphia, United States,” she wrote on social platform X, according to translation. “The consular authorities are in permanent contact with the families; I have asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to support them in whatever way is required.”
Read the full story here.
16 HOURS AGO
How to watch DNC chair election
SOPHIA VENTO
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) will decide Saturday who will lead the party next.
A livestream of the election for party officers is airing on the DNC’s YouTube. The chair election is expected to begin around 12 p.m. local time.
Watch the elections here.
17 HOURS AGO
Republicans from disaster-prone areas back Trump’s push to overhaul FEMA
RACHEL FRAZIN
Republican lawmakers, including those from disaster-prone areas, are backing President Trump’s calls to overhaul the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
“We need a FEMA that looks like somebody designed it on purpose, and that’s not what we have right now,” Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said this week. “It’s a mess, and it’s very inefficient.”
Read the full story here.
17 HOURS AGO
White House faces decision on Gabbard after shaky confirmation hearing
ALEX GANGITANO
AL WEAVER
The White House faces a decision on how to move forward with director of national intelligence nominee Tulsi Gabbard — wait and see if any GOP senators publicly oppose her, or launch a pressure campaign like the one that helped Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth get confirmed.
A number of Republicans emerged from Gabbard’s confirmation hearing this week appearing concerned and unimpressed with her answers on Edward Snowden, government surveillance and her communication with foreign adversaries. But no GOP senator has said flat out they will oppose her nomination.
Read the full story here.
17 HOURS AGO
How Trump turned the TikTok ban into a political asset
JULIA SHAPERO
President Trump has managed to turn a controversial TikTok ban into a political advantage, framing himself as the savior of the popular video-sharing platform by offering the app a 75-day reprieve.
The president has taken a more receptive approach toward TikTok — albeit one mired in legal questions — that gives him room to attempt to negotiate a deal and cultivate more goodwill with TikTok’s young supporters.
Read the full story here.
17 HOURS AGO
5 things to watch as DNC chooses its next leader
CAROLINE VAKIL
Democrats are gathering in Maryland on Saturday to elect the next chair of their national party in one of Democrats’ first steps toward recalibrating after November’s disappointing election.
State party chairs Ken Martin of Minnesota and Ben Wikler of Wisconsin, in addition to former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, have emerged as leaders in the race to succeed DNC Chair Jaime Harrison. In all, eight contenders are running.
Read the full story here.
