The Morning Sixpack - April 24, 2025

China says no to tariff negotiations, Trump signs EOs to shrink national monuments (Drill, baby, DRILL!), and Garcia's wife goes into hiding (she was doxxed by the Trump admin)

Stocks Stall as China Denies U.S. Tariff Negotiation Claims

Tariffs on China talks are not happening.

Stock markets experienced a lull on Thursday after Chinese officials shot down reports of ongoing tariff negotiations with the U.S.

The dismissal of these rumors put an end to a two-day rally, leaving indexes in a state of fluctuation. The back-and-forth surrounding tariffs continues to cause market volatility, with President Trump's comments on potential "nice" trade talks with China adding fuel to the fire.

He Yadong, spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce, firmly stated that there were no trade negotiations in progress, calling reports of any such discussions “baseless rumors.”

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated the country’s stance, emphasizing that China would only engage in talks if certain conditions were met. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also downplayed speculation of unilateral tariff reductions by the U.S., stressing that any de-escalation would need to be mutual.

Meanwhile, major U.S. companies are bracing for the economic impact of the ongoing tariff war, with PepsiCo, Merck, and American Airlines adjusting their earnings forecasts due to economic uncertainty.

The U.S. dollar weakened against several major currencies, while oil prices showed a slight rebound. Global stock markets reacted in mixed fashion, reflecting the broader uncertainty.

Source: NYT

Trump just makes shit up. Why can’t the vast majority of Americans see that he is nothing but a vengeance-fueled conman?

Big Ten Universities Consider Defense Alliance Against Trump Administration’s Higher Ed Attacks

Big Ten faculty against Trump

A growing movement among Big Ten universities is proposing a NATO-like alliance to defend against government actions targeting higher education.

Faced with potential federal cuts and restrictions, faculty members across multiple universities are advocating for a mutual defense compact that would allow them to share legal and financial resources if the Trump administration continues its assault on campuses, including cutting funding and revoking student visas.

The proposed compact has gained traction, with faculty senates at schools like Indiana University, the University of Michigan, and Rutgers University signing resolutions in favor of the initiative. Faculty members argue that the compact is essential for protecting academic freedom and resisting what they perceive as politically motivated attacks on universities, especially those fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. However, university administrators have yet to commit, with many wary of the legal and financial implications of joining such a defense coalition.

This push for solidarity comes as the Trump administration's actions—including threats to freeze billions in funding—have targeted universities with outspoken DEI programs, such as Harvard University. With several schools already feeling the pressure, faculty members are now demanding that administrators take a firm stand to protect academic integrity and institutional independence.

Source: WaPo

I hate to say it, but I think these universities should kiss their federal subsidies and grants goodbye.

China’s Crucial Role in Fueling Putin’s War: A Double-Edged Sword for Ukraine

China's support for Russia has become a pivotal factor in sustaining Putin’s war effort, as sanctions against Moscow have inadvertently turned Beijing into its primary buyer for energy resources.

With China now purchasing 47% of Russia's crude oil, 45% of its coal, and up to 28% of its gas, Moscow’s war machine remains largely funded by these exports, sold at discounted rates.

This trade dynamic underscores China's significant role in bolstering Russia’s economy while sidestepping Western sanctions.

However, Ukraine faces a complicated diplomatic balancing act in confronting China’s involvement in the war. While China has supplied Ukraine with essential military components, including drones and optics, sanctioning Chinese firms would disrupt Kyiv’s supply chain. As a result, Ukraine is ramping up domestic production in an effort to reduce its dependency on China. Recent statements from Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry indicate growing concerns over Chinese support for Russian military efforts, including claims of Chinese citizens working at Russian drone production sites.

In light of this, Ukraine is attempting to leverage the geopolitical divide, aiming to position China as a common enemy to unite global opposition and appeal to anti-China sentiments in Washington. As Ukraine seeks to gain more support from the U.S., it looks to shift the narrative on China’s involvement in the conflict, potentially influencing Washington’s stance on the war.

Source: The Telegraph

China is clearly playing both sides of the war, and in so doing has stuck its middle finger at the US and Trump in particular. His tariffs will do NOTHING to stop this.

And Ukraine will be the odd “man” out.

Trump’s New Executive Orders Aim to Defund Education, Crush Civil Rights, and Blow Up Accreditation

President Donald Trump signed seven executive orders on Wednesday that promise to reshape American education, including changes to civil rights enforcement, college accreditation, and foreign funding transparency.

Among the most controversial is an order that aims to eliminate the civil rights enforcement tool of "disparate impact," which has been used for decades to address discrimination in schools and housing based on statistical disparities, even without intent to discriminate. Trump’s move challenges how civil rights violations are identified and investigated, a significant shift in policy.

Trump is attempting to stop looking at systemic discrimination.

Additionally, Trump’s orders focus on overhauling the accreditation process for colleges, which some conservatives have criticized as biased. The new directive mandates that accreditors focus on student outcomes without considering diversity in their assessments. This aligns with the administration's broader push to prioritize educational quality and student success, but critics argue that it undermines the role of diversity in fostering inclusive campuses.

The executive orders also tackle AI in schools, promote apprenticeships, and boost support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), reflecting Trump’s broader agenda to reshape educational policies and remove regulations he deems restrictive. However, critics contend these measures prioritize conservative ideologies and undermine key civil rights protections.

Source: WaPo

I am pleased to see that he’s planning to promote AI, apprenticeships, and boost HBCUs. That last one is a YUGE surprise to me.

Wife of Wrongfully Deported Maryland Man Forced into Hiding After Government Posts Address Online

Jennifer Vasquez Sura, the wife of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man who was wrongly deported by the Trump administration, was forced into a safe house after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted a court document containing her home address on social media.

Make no mistake: This wasn’t a mistake. The MAGA right is all about doxxing and canceling people. This is why they cry so hard when it happens to them.

This action, which exposed her family's location to 2.4 million DHS X followers, has left her fearing for her safety and that of her three children. "I don’t feel safe when the government posts my address, the house where my family lives," she told The Washington Post.

Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran father, was deported to El Salvador on March 15 despite a court order blocking his removal for humanitarian reasons. The Trump administration, which has labeled him a violent gang member and involved in human trafficking (and thus far backed by EXACTLY zero proof), has faced criticism from Democratic officials and advocates for failing to allow him due process. The allegations against him have not been substantiated in court.

His wife, Vasquez Sura, maintains that the deportation was unjust, especially given the context of their strained relationship, which she attributes to the pressures of financial hardship and immigration detention.

The DHS's decision to release her address has added to the already intense public scrutiny of the case. Vasquez Sura has expressed deep concern over the potential threats to her family's safety, especially now that the case has gained significant attention.

Source: The Independent

Trump Administration Eyes Shrinking National Monuments for Energy Development

The Toadstool Hoodoos in Kanab, Utah, in 2018.

Interior Department officials under the Trump administration are exploring the possibility of shrinking the boundaries of several national monuments in the American West.

The plan aims to open up vast public lands for energy development, including mining and oil production, to fuel economic growth and support artificial intelligence technologies. Six national monuments, including Bears Ears, Grand Staircase-Escalante, and others across Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Utah, are under review for potential boundary reductions.

The move would build on Trump's previous policies designed to boost U.S. energy and mineral production. The Trump administration's push to alter these national monuments is facing significant opposition, with conservationists and Indigenous groups arguing that these lands are vital for ecological preservation and cultural heritage.

The proposal also raises legal questions, particularly regarding the president’s power to reverse protections granted under the Antiquities Act of 1906, which has traditionally been used to protect large tracts of public land.

Despite these concerns, the administration remains focused on increasing fossil fuel production and mineral extraction, including in areas once protected by previous presidents. Legal challenges are expected, particularly since the Biden administration had reversed similar cuts made during Trump’s first term.

Source: WaPo