1. Trump criticizes Powell again for high interest rates: Federal Reserve Chairman Powell is leaving soon, there's a die-hard inside the Fed, and interest rates are too high.
2. Preparing for a new investigation into drug pricing
- According to the Financial Times, the Trump administration is intensifying its attacks on US trading partners over drug pricing, preparing a new investigation to lay the groundwork for a new round of tariffs. Trump has repeatedly complained that other countries pay less for drugs than the US and has said he will take trade action against countries that refuse "equality."
3. Reaffirms India's agreement to reduce Russian energy purchases - US President Trump emphasized that India will gradually reduce its oil purchases from Russia, claiming for the second consecutive week that he spoke directly with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the matter.
4. Close to a trade deal with India
- Three people familiar with the matter revealed that India and the US are close to reaching a long-stalled trade deal that could reduce tariffs on Indian exports from a punitive 50% to 15% to 16%. 5. Warning to Hamas for Violating the Agreement
—On the 21st, Trump tweeted that several US allies have stated that if Hamas continues to violate its agreement with the US, they will "enter Gaza with strong force" at its request to "dismantle Hamas." Trump emphasized that he has asked all countries and Israel to hold off on the action and hopes Hamas will "make the right decision," otherwise the response to Hamas will be "swift, fierce, and brutal."
6. Response to the Postponed Meeting with Putin
—When asked on Tuesday why he postponed his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hungary, US President Trump said he did not want to hold a "futile meeting." Trump stated that he had not yet made a final decision on the meeting. He had hoped to meet with Putin in Budapest as soon as possible.
7. Setback for Russia-Ukraine Peace Efforts
—Trump's latest peace efforts appear to have suffered a setback as Russia launched multiple drone and missile attacks on Ukraine. Targets included residential areas and energy infrastructure in the Ukrainian capital, the central Poltava region, and the southern Zaporizhia region. The Danube port city of Izmail was also attacked.
8. Will Lead Oversight of Ukraine's 12-Point Peace Plan
- According to people familiar with the matter, European countries are working with Ukraine on a 12-point proposal aimed at ending the conflict with Russia along existing fronts. Sources say the implementation of this proposal will be overseen by a "peace council" led by Trump.
9. Plans to Take Advantage of Low Oil Prices to Replenish 1 Million Barrels of SPR
- According to U.S. Department of Energy officials, the Trump administration plans to purchase 1 million barrels of crude oil for the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), taking advantage of falling oil prices to begin replenishing the depleted reserve.
10. Refusal to Meet with Democrats - On Tuesday, Trump rejected a request from Democratic congressional leaders for a meeting, saying it would not take place unless the government shutdown, now three weeks old, is lifted.
11. Seeking $230 Million in Compensation from the Department of Justice
- Trump said he "may" seek $230 million in compensation from his own Justice Department for past investigations into him. Trump argued that the investigations harmed him and that he deserved compensation, but added that the money would be donated or used for White House renovations.
12. Providing Weapons-Grade Plutonium to Nuclear Power Companies
—The United States has offered energy companies access to nuclear waste that can be converted into fuel for advanced reactors, aiming to break Russia's control over the uranium supply chain. The move is the latest effort by the Trump administration to boost the nuclear power industry as electricity demand grows for the first time in decades.
13. Supporting Negotiations for Kazakhstan's Tungsten Resources
—The Trump administration is involved in negotiations with Kazakhstan's sovereign wealth fund to help a U.S. company acquire mining rights to one of the world's largest undeveloped tungsten deposits, according to people familiar with the matter.
14. Proposed $3 Billion in Funding for Farmers
—The Wall Street Journal reported that the Trump administration is planning to distribute more than $3 billion in aid to American farmers, funds previously frozen by the government shutdown, to help the agricultural sector cope with the adverse effects of President Trump's tariffs.
