The Morning Sixpack - April 16, 2025

Trump goes batshit crazy on China tariffs, Xi pushes back, Obama criticizes trump's harvard funding freeze, and legal challenges escalate amid ongoing trade war

U.S. Imposes 245% Tariff on China: Escalating Trade War and National Security Concerns

In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing trade war, the Trump administration has imposed a staggering 245 percent tariff on Chinese imports.

This tariff increase comes in response to China's retaliatory actions and is part of a broader strategy to address what the White House calls "national security risks" stemming from U.S. reliance on imported critical minerals. The move has heightened tensions between the two largest economies, and China's foreign ministry has dismissed the tariff as an unjustified response, reiterating that the U.S. initiated the trade conflict.

Read more about that here.

President Trump has framed this decision as necessary to protect American interests, particularly in sectors like semiconductors and electronics, which are at the heart of the tariff investigations. He emphasized the need for the U.S. to "make products in America" and avoid being "held hostage" by hostile trading nations like China. Trump’s comments suggest that this tariff war is far from over, with additional actions expected as the investigation into these industries unfolds.

While Trump has temporarily paused the reciprocal tariffs on other countries to allow for new trade deals, China continues to bear the brunt of these trade policies. Despite the administration's claims, the escalating tariff rates leave little room for negotiation, and both sides remain entrenched in their positions.

Source: Newsweek

Tariffs are bad for everybody. End of story. Full stop.

Judge Orders Trump Administration to Provide Answers in Deportation Standoff Over Kilmar Abrego García

A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to provide detailed records and sworn answers regarding its failure to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego García, a Maryland resident wrongfully deported to El Salvador.

U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis’ decision intensifies the legal standoff, with the administration accused of evading responsibility to bring García back despite a Supreme Court ruling that instructed the government to facilitate his release. The case has stirred controversy due to the Trump administration’s claims that García, a sheet-metal apprentice who fled El Salvador as a teenager, is a member of the MS-13 gang—accusations that his lawyers strongly deny.

When will we begin deporting domestic terrorists like members of the KKK? They’re a gang, right, and they’re demonstrably hostile to actual US citizens.

Xinis expressed impatience with the administration’s handling of the situation, specifically the lack of cooperation in contacting Salvadoran authorities to secure García’s return. During the court proceedings, Xinis emphasized that the U.S. government is legally obligated to at least take steps toward helping García’s release, despite the administration’s claims of a lack of authority over foreign affairs. This development comes amid heightened political tensions, with President Trump and Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele reiterating unfounded accusations against García during a recent White House meeting.

I have an idea! Why didn’t Bukele bring García with him on this recent trip to visit Trump? Problem solved!

The judge has now ordered a two-week period of "intense discovery" to gather evidence, warning that a failure to cooperate could lead to a contempt ruling. As support for García grows, the case raises critical questions about the Trump administration’s handling of deportation processes and the U.S. government’s commitment to upholding due process.

Source: The Washington Post

This story is such bullshit. The Trump administration kidnapped this man and sent him to the very country the US said he should not be returned to!

California Sues Trump Over Tariffs, Challenging His Trade Policy

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has taken the bold step of suing President Donald Trump over his controversial tariffs, marking the state’s first direct legal challenge to Trump’s trade policies since his return to office.

The lawsuit, filed alongside California Attorney General Rob Bonta, targets the International Economic Emergency Powers Act, which Trump has used to impose tariffs without congressional approval. Newsom argues that the tariffs are harming California’s economy, driving up prices, and threatening jobs, especially in industries like Silicon Valley tech and agriculture, both crucial to the state’s economy.

This legal battle represents Newsom’s most forceful move against Trump’s agenda and positions California at the forefront of the resistance, particularly as the state grapples with the fallout from Trump’s unpredictable tariff strategies. The lawsuit seeks to undo the chaos caused by Trump’s tariff approach, which has been criticized for undermining trade relationships and causing market volatility. Newsom’s legal team contends that Trump’s actions exceed the bounds of presidential power, claiming that the economic consequences are far too severe for the use of emergency powers as a justification.

The lawsuit adds a new layer to the ongoing tension between California and Trump, with Newsom leveraging the state's economic weight and global influence to push back against federal policies that threaten its industries.

Source: Politico

My personal secret fantasy is that the West Coast states (California, Oregon, and Washington) secede from the US.

Trump’s U.S. Attorney Pick, Ed Martin, Tied to Over 150 Appearances on Russian State Media

Ed Martin, President Trump’s pick to be the permanent U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C., is facing scrutiny over his frequent appearances on Russian state-funded media outlets, including RT and Sputnik.

Between 2016 and 2024, Martin appeared on these channels more than 150 times, amplifying pro-Russian viewpoints and criticisms of U.S. policy. His failure to disclose these media appearances during his Senate confirmation process has raised questions about his judgment and transparency. Critics argue that Martin’s extensive ties to Russian state media, which the U.S. State Department has accused of engaging in covert influence activities, could undermine his ability to serve as a top federal prosecutor responsible for national security cases.

Gee, ya think?

Martin’s appearances included comments downplaying Russian aggression ahead of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, as well as defending Moscow’s narrative on various geopolitical issues. Despite the controversy surrounding his media role, Martin’s office has not provided a full explanation for his omissions. This lack of disclosure, combined with his controversial views, has sparked alarm among some national security experts who warn about the potential risks of appointing someone with such connections to a key legal position overseeing major national security prosecutions.

As the Senate Judiciary Committee scrutinizes Martin’s nomination, the matter raises broader concerns about foreign influence and the role of media in shaping American politics. His confirmation process will likely face intense debate as Democrats demand further transparency.

Source: The Washington Post

Xi Jinping Launches Global Charm Offensive to Counter Trump’s Tariffs

In an escalating trade battle, Chinese President Xi Jinping is traveling across Europe, Latin America, and Asia, seeking to rally global support against President Trump’s tariffs.

Xi's diplomatic push comes as China faces the brunt of Trump’s economic warfare, with tariffs that have strained U.S.-China trade relations. As Beijing grapples with its own trade practices and tensions with the U.S., Xi is positioning China as a stabilizing force in global commerce, aiming to sway countries caught between the U.S. and China’s competing economic agendas.

Xi’s campaign to peel nations away from Trump’s tariffs faces significant hurdles, particularly in Europe, where concerns about China’s trade practices and its support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine complicate closer ties. However, Xi’s visit to Spain and other key countries has led to new trade deals, particularly in sectors such as pork and cherries. The push is also gaining traction in Latin America, where China is leveraging its status as a top trading partner to foster deeper economic ties.

Despite the global outreach, Xi’s efforts are complicated by concerns over China’s economic imbalances, unfair trade practices, and its geopolitical alignment with Russia. As countries balance their relationships with both superpowers, Xi’s charm offensive highlights the growing divide in global trade policies, with some nations edging closer to China in response to U.S. tariff strategies.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

The whole idea, originally, behind tariffs was to isolate China from the rest of the world. What Trump’s stupid on-again-off-again tariffs have done is isolate US from the rest of the world.

Obama and Yale Faculty Back Harvard Amid $2B Funding Freeze Over Trump’s Demands

Barack Obama, along with Yale faculty, has voiced strong support for Harvard University after the Trump administration froze $2.3 billion in federal funding.

This drastic action came after Harvard rejected the White House’s demands to crack down on alleged antisemitism and limit student protests, which many educators argue is an attempt to stifle academic freedom. Obama condemned the move, praising Harvard for standing firm against government overreach and setting an example for other educational institutions to follow.

The Trump administration’s task force on antisemitism issued the funding freeze after Harvard refused to implement what it called "merit-based" admissions and hiring policies and restrict protests related to Palestinian issues. Harvard’s leadership defended its position, emphasizing that no government should dictate what private universities can teach or whom they can admit. In contrast, schools like Columbia and Princeton have already agreed to comply with some of the administration’s demands in exchange for avoiding similar funding cuts.

The ongoing standoff has sparked widespread debate about the balance between federal power and academic independence, with concerns about the long-term impact on academic freedom and international talent recruitment, as seen in the recent visa revocations for MIT students.

Source: The Guardian