标签： North America

In a significant political development, the US Senate voted 51-47 on Thursday to terminate the national emergency declaration that President Donald Trump used to justify imposing global tariffs in early April. This move, largely symbolic due to prior House restrictions on blocking such tariffs, saw four Republicans join Democrats in supporting the resolution. The vote underscores growing bipartisan dissent against Trump’s aggressive tariff policies, which have aimed to reshape US trade relationships. Earlier in the week, the Senate also passed two resolutions to eliminate duties on goods from Canada and Brazil, further signaling lawmakers’ pushback. Trump’s tariffs, introduced in April, included a 10% levy on all countries and additional ‘reciprocal’ tariffs on nations with significant trade imbalances with the US. The US Supreme Court is set to hear a case challenging the legality of these tariffs on November 5, following lower court rulings that deemed them illegal. According to US Customs and Border Protection, the tariffs have generated approximately $88 billion in tax revenue through August. However, the Tax Foundation warns that these tariffs could increase household taxes by over $1,600 annually and reduce GDP by 0.5% over the next decade.

The United Nations’ human rights chief, Volker Türk, has strongly criticized the United States for its military strikes on vessels allegedly carrying drugs in the Caribbean and Pacific. Türk labeled these lethal attacks as violations of international law, describing them as ‘extrajudicial killings.’ Since early September, more than 60 people have reportedly been killed in these strikes. Türk called the actions ‘unacceptable’ and urged Washington to immediately halt the operations and conduct independent, transparent investigations. The US has defended its actions, with President Donald Trump asserting that the strikes are necessary to curb drug trafficking into the country and that he has the legal authority to continue targeting boats in international waters. Türk acknowledged the challenges of combating drug trafficking but emphasized that the deadly strikes ‘find no justification in international law.’ He stressed that countering illicit drug trafficking is a law-enforcement matter, governed by strict limits on the use of lethal force under international human rights law. Türk noted that based on the limited information provided by US authorities, none of the individuals on the targeted boats appeared to pose an imminent threat to life. He called on the US to employ law enforcement methods such as intercepting boats, detaining suspects, and prosecuting individuals when necessary. The strikes, primarily occurring off the coast of South America in the Caribbean, have also extended to the Pacific, where at least 18 people were killed this week. The US has deployed troops, aircraft, and naval vessels to the region, including the world’s largest warship, the USS Gerald R Ford. The actions have sparked condemnation across the region, with experts questioning their legality. Members of the US Congress, from both parties, have raised concerns and challenged the president’s authority to order such strikes. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed disagreement with the attacks and called for meetings with the US ambassador, insisting on the respect of international treaties. The US actions have also heightened tensions with Colombia and Venezuela. The US has imposed sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro, accusing him of failing to curb drug trafficking, while Trump has accused Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of leading a drug-trafficking organization. Venezuela’s attorney general accused the US of attempting to overthrow the government and seize its natural resources. The US does not recognize Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate leader following the widely disputed 2024 election.

President Donald Trump has intensified his call for Senate Republicans to eliminate the filibuster rule, aiming to resolve the prolonged government shutdown, now in its 30th day. The filibuster, a longstanding Senate procedure, mandates a 60-vote supermajority for most legislative actions. With Republicans holding a 53-47 majority, abolishing the rule would enable them to pass a funding bill without Democratic backing. Trump took to social media, urging his party to deploy the ‘Nuclear Option’ and immediately discard the filibuster. The shutdown, initiated on October 1, has disrupted essential services for millions, with over 40 million low-income households at risk of losing access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Federal workers have missed paychecks, and concerns are mounting over potential flight delays as air traffic controllers and airport staff continue working without pay. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has previously opposed altering the filibuster, citing its role as a safeguard for minority rights. Despite Trump’s push, most senators have left Washington for the weekend, with no clear progress toward reopening the government. The ‘nuclear option’ remains uncertain, as many Republicans fear its long-term consequences if Democrats regain control. The shutdown ensued after Democrats rejected a stopgap funding measure unless Republicans extended healthcare subsidies for low-income Americans, a demand Republicans dismissed as unrelated policy leverage.