1. Considering Targeting Khamenei and His Son
—According to Axios, the U.S. Department of Defense has provided President Trump with several options for striking Iran, one of which is "eliminating" Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei, his son Mojtaba, and clerics. He had previously stated he was considering a limited military strike against Iran.
2. Considering Allowing Iran to Symbolically Retain Uranium Enrichment Capabilities
—According to Axios, a senior U.S. official stated that if Iran's access to nuclear weapons is completely blocked, the Trump administration is willing to consider a proposal allowing Iran to "symbolically" retain its nuclear enrichment capabilities. Another White House official stated that Trump would not allow Iran to possess nuclear weapons or the ability to manufacture them.
3. Considering a Limited Strike Against Iran
—On the morning of February 20th local time, President Trump held a breakfast meeting with governors from across the country at the White House. When asked by reporters whether he was considering a limited military strike if no agreement was reached with Iran, Trump responded, "The most I can say is—I'm considering it." Trump has yet to make any decision regarding striking Iran.
4. Condemning his two Supreme Court nominees for "backstabbing" – Trump posted on social media condemning his two Supreme Court nominees, Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett, for "not helping their own people," claiming that Democrats almost always vote against Republicans but never against their own, no matter how valid the reasons.
5. Blaming the tariff loss on "politicized" Supreme Court justices – Trump blamed his tariff loss on "politicized" Supreme Court justices, saying it was obvious he should have won. "But when the justices become politicized, he loses. Those Supreme Court members who voted against our 'very reasonable and appropriate tariffs' should be ashamed of themselves."
6. Imposing a new 10% tariff globally – Trump announced an additional 10% global tariff under Section 122 for 150 days. The White House later announced that the 10% tariff announced by Trump would take effect at 12:01 AM ET on February 24. Goods exempt from the new tariffs include certain critical minerals, metals used for currency and gold and silver bars, some passenger vehicles, and certain aerospace products.
7. Announcement of Other Tariff Alternatives
—Trump stated that after the IEEPA tariffs were rejected, Sections 232, 122, 201, and 301 are all options; Section 338 is also an option, but this requires a longer process. Several Section 301 investigations and other investigations will be launched in the next five months.
8. Preemptive Market Warning Before GDP Report Release
—The US economy slowed more than expected in the fourth quarter. Before the report's release, Trump posted on social media: "The government shutdown has reduced US GDP by at least two percentage points. That's why they (Democrats) are shutting down again in a small way. No more shutdowns! And lower interest rates!"
9. Allowing Vietnam Access to Restricted Technology
—Vietnam stated that US President Trump told General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, To Lam, that he would remove Vietnam from the US advanced technology restriction list and welcomed Vietnam's efforts to reduce the trade imbalance between the two countries. The statement also said that Trump accepted the invitation from Surin to visit Vietnam.
10. Continuing to criticize Powell—When discussing the nominee for Federal Reserve Chairman, US President Trump stated that interest rates should be significantly lowered. "We have a very incompetent Fed Chairman who likes high interest rates."
11. Confirming trip to China—White House officials confirmed that Trump will visit China from March 31 to April 2, having previously expressed his anticipation for the welcoming ceremony.
