标签： North America

The US Supreme Court is poised to deliberate on the legality of former President Donald Trump’s expansive use of emergency economic powers to impose global tariffs. This landmark case, set for arguments on Wednesday, challenges the foundation of Trump’s ‘America First’ trade policy, which aimed to protect and bolster US industries through reciprocal tariffs on countries deemed to engage in unfair trade practices. These tariffs, targeting major trading partners like Mexico, Canada, and China, have faced significant legal scrutiny since their implementation. In May, a lower court ruled that Trump exceeded his authority, a decision upheld by the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in August. The Supreme Court’s conservative majority now faces a pivotal decision: to either block the tariffs entirely or affirm Trump’s actions, potentially paving the way for further levies. The outcome could impact billions in customs revenue and influence future trade negotiations. While the ruling won’t affect sector-specific tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles, it could set a precedent for executive authority in trade policy. Small businesses, already burdened by the tariffs, warn of existential threats, with owners like Victor Schwartz of VOS Selections and Mike Gracie, a wallpaper importer, highlighting the financial strain. Experts suggest the court might impose limitations or allow tariffs under specific conditions, but the broader implications for executive power and market stability remain a concern.

In a recent interview with CBS, renowned actor and Democratic fundraiser George Clooney expressed his belief that it was a ‘mistake’ for Kamala Harris to replace Joe Biden as the Democratic candidate in the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Clooney, who had penned a high-profile op-ed in the New York Times in July 2024 urging Biden to step aside, stood by his decision, stating, ‘We had a chance.’ He argued that Biden, despite his storied career, was no longer fit to face the challenges of a presidential campaign, particularly against Donald Trump. Clooney emphasized the need for a primary to ‘battle-test’ potential candidates, but the Democratic Party ultimately bypassed this process, handing the nomination to Harris. Reflecting on her candidacy, Clooney noted the difficulty Harris faced in distancing herself from her own record, calling it a ‘very tough task.’ His comments followed a heated response from Hunter Biden, who criticized Clooney for questioning his father’s mental acuity in an expletive-laden interview. Meanwhile, Harris, in a BBC interview, hinted at a possible future presidential run, expressing confidence that a woman would one day occupy the White House.

In a bid to assuage global apprehensions, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright has categorically stated that the United States does not intend to conduct nuclear explosions. This declaration follows President Donald Trump’s recent directive to the military to resume nuclear weapons testing, a move that has sparked widespread concern. Wright, in an interview with Fox News on Sunday, emphasized that the planned tests are ‘non-critical explosions,’ aimed at ensuring the reliability of nuclear weapon components without triggering a nuclear detonation. ‘Americans near historic test sites such as the Nevada National Security Site have no cause for concern,’ Wright assured, addressing fears of a mushroom cloud resurgence. Trump’s call for testing, articulated on Truth Social, was perceived by many as a precursor to full-scale nuclear blasts, a practice dormant since 1992. However, Wright’s remarks aim to clarify that the tests are not of the same magnitude. Trump, in a subsequent interview with CBS’s 60 Minutes, reiterated his stance, asserting that the US should not lag behind other nations in nuclear testing. ‘Russia’s testing, and China’s testing, but they don’t talk about it,’ Trump remarked, adding North Korea and Pakistan to the list of nations allegedly conducting such tests. Both China and Russia have denied these allegations, with China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning affirming China’s commitment to a self-defence nuclear strategy and a moratorium on nuclear testing. Russia’s Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also refuted claims of recent nuclear tests, emphasizing that certain weapon tests should not be misconstrued as nuclear detonations. The global nuclear landscape remains tense, with the US and Russia holding the largest arsenals, followed by China, which is rapidly expanding its nuclear capabilities. The Federation of American Scientists estimates that Russia possesses approximately 5,459 warheads, while the US has about 5,177. China, with around 600 warheads, is projected to exceed 1,000 by 2030, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies. As the world watches, the US’s approach to nuclear testing continues to be a focal point of international discourse.