1. 25% Tariffs Imposed on Countries Trading with Iran
—On January 12, Trump announced on social media that any country doing business with Iran would face a 25% tariff on all its business dealings with the United States, effective immediately. Trump did not provide specific information regarding the scope or implementation details of the tariffs.
2. Federal Reserve Chair Interviews Nearing Completion; BlackRock Executive Rick Riedel to be Interviewed
—US President Trump will interview Rick Riedel, Chief Bond Investment Manager at BlackRock, on January 15 regarding the position of Federal Reserve Chair. At the same time, Riedel reiterated his support for lowering the US benchmark interest rate to 3%.
3. Powell Investigation Sparks Controversy; Several Key Figures Speak Out in Criticism
—Former Federal Reserve Chairs Greenspan, Bernanke, Yellen, and others, along with former Treasury Secretaries Paulson, Geithner, and other prominent economists, issued a statement collectively supporting Powell. Global central bank governors, including the governors of the Bank of France and the Bank of Canada, also publicly expressed their support. It is understood that US Treasury Secretary Bessant also seemed to have expressed his dissatisfaction to Trump regarding this matter.
4. White House Weighs Iran Measures, Advises Trump to "Treate First, Then Strike"
—According to US media, even though Trump is currently inclined to authorize a new military strike against Iran, US officials say some senior government aides (led by Vice President Vance) are urging him to try diplomatic means first.
5. Cuba Policy Shows "Temperature Difference," Still Allowing Mexico to Supply Oil to Cuba
—According to US media, although Trump declared on Sunday that he "will no longer provide oil or funds to Cuba," US Energy Secretary Wright and another US official revealed that current US policy still allows Mexico to continue supplying oil to the island nation.
6. Responding to Soaring Electricity Prices: AI Data Centers Shouldn't Be Paid for by the Public
—Responding to voters' concerns about rising electricity prices, Trump said the government has been consulting with Microsoft to ensure consumers won't "pay" for massive data centers. Trump stated that large tech companies building these facilities must "pay out of their own pockets."
7. Criticizes New York's Congestion Charge: "It Must End Immediately!"
—Trump stated on social media that Manhattan's congestion charge policy is a disaster for New York. It must end immediately! This approach has never worked before, and it will never work now.
8. Warning of a Trillion-Dollar Debt Quagmire if Tariff Lawsuits Lose – Trump posted a warning that if the government loses tariff cases, it will have to repay trillions of dollars, “which the United States will almost certainly not be able to afford.”
