“They’ve agreed to open up China,” claimed US President Donald Trump during a press conference at the White House on Monday morning, after months of escalating tensions between the two countries that involved increased tariffs on Chinese exports.
China will reduce its tariffs on US goods to 10%, while the US will cut its tariffs on Chinese imports to 30%. This adjustment follows criticism of the previous 20% tariffs imposed by Trump, which he attributed to concerns about the US fentanyl crisis.
In a separate development, a group of white South Africans met with Deputy Chief Christopher Landau and Deputy Chief of Homeland Security Troy Edgar at Dulles International Airport, where African casualties were declared as “genocide.”
Here’s a summary of the key stories today:
Markets React to 90-day Trade War Suspension Between the US and China
Trump expressed optimism about a “full reset” in US-China relations, following an agreement on a 90-day pause in their escalating trade war, which had raised concerns about its impact on the global economy.
In response to the announcement, Wall Street experienced a significant uptick, with the S&P 500 climbing 3.2%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average increasing by 2.6%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq rising by 4%.
First Group of White South Africans Arrives as “Refugees”
The Trump administration has recognized the first group of white South Africans as refugees, igniting controversy in South Africa, following Trump’s statement regarding African victims of “genocide.”
This group, mainly descended from Dutch settlers, met with Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau, who shared his family history, recalling his father’s departure from Europe during Hitler’s rise.
Democrats Oppose Controversial Trump Jet Gift
Top Democrats in the Senate are moving ahead with plans to accept a $400 million luxury jet from the Qatari royal family, which Trump claims is intended for his personal use.
Four senators on the Foreign Relations Committee announced they would push for a vote later this week, contending that accepting such large gifts from foreign governments requires Congressional approval, labeling the gift as “roughly illegal.”
Release of Last American Held in Gaza Announced
Hamas has released the last American citizen held in Gaza, identified as soldier Edan Alexander, in what is being framed as a sincere effort to resolve the ongoing conflict and return all remaining hostages.
The 20-year-old, who served with the Israeli Defense Forces, was held captive for 584 days after being taken on October 7, 2023, and recent assessments suggest minimal Israeli involvement beyond logistical support.
Trump Signs Orders to Lower Pharmaceutical Prices
The White House has unveiled an aggressive strategy aimed at reducing prescription drug prices, promising significant cuts for American consumers.
The president claimed on social media that the plan could lead to swift reductions of 30%-80% on pharmaceutical prices in the US.
Republicans Face “Identity Crisis” Over Medicaid
Influential Missouri Senator Josh Hawley has highlighted an “identity crisis” within the Republican Party, noting a split between working-class Republicans and wealthy corporate interests as disagreements arise over potential Medicaid cuts.
Firing of US Copyright Director Reported
The Trump administration is said to have fired the US Copyright Director over the weekend, shortly after a controversial report surfaced regarding artificial intelligence and its implications for fair use.
The dismissed official had been involved with the Copyright Bureau, and this firing coincided with earlier dismissals in the Trump administration.
Americans Postpone Major Life Events Amid Economic Uncertainty
Exclusive polling suggests that many Americans are rethinking significant life decisions—like marriage, having children, or buying homes—due to concerns about economic conditions in the early months of Trump’s presidency.
According to the poll, about 60% of Americans feel that their primary life goals are being affected by economic factors, often linked to issues of affordability and general anxiety.
What Else Happened Today:
Catch up? This summarizes events on May 11th, 2025.
