President Donald Trump is internet hosting India’s prime minister on the White Home Thursday after he indicators one other spherical of govt orders.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a nationalist who boasts an excellent relationship with Trump, stated the go to is an opportunity to “deepen our partnership” in key areas like know-how, commerce, protection and power. However the go to seemingly gained’t be all smiles on the subject of tariffs.
In the meantime, extra of Trump’s cupboard picks are up for affirmation within the Senate, together with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his nominee for well being secretary.
RELATED: Trump elected chairman of Kennedy Middle, replaces board with loyalists
Right here’s the newest:
Brooke Rollins confirmed as agriculture secretary
2:22 p.m. ET: Brooke Rollins, president of the America First Coverage Institute, was confirmed as the following U.S. agriculture secretary in a 72-28 vote. Rollins will play a key function in addressing potential farm labor shortages from mass deportation plans and tariffs that would hit ag exports.
Rollins served as chief for home coverage throughout Trump’s first administration. Now she should oversee almost all points of the nation’s meals system, together with requirements on farming practices and livestock rearing, federal subsidies to farmers or agribusinesses and setting diet requirements for faculties and public well being officers nationwide.
She acknowledged that deporting individuals may result in labor shortages on farms that rely on migrants to reap crops. However she stated “the president’s imaginative and prescient of a safe border and a mass deportation at a scale that issues is one thing I assist.”
Trump indicators order for reciprocal tariffs
2:20 p.m. ET: As anticipated, Trump has rolled out his plan to extend U.S. tariffs to match the tax charges that different international locations cost on imports, presumably triggering a broader financial confrontation with allies and rivals alike.
“It’s truthful to all. No different nation can complain,” Trump stated as he signed the order on Thursday.
Trump’s Republican administration insists the tariffs will degree the taking part in area between U.S. producers and overseas rivals, although these new taxes would seemingly be paid by American customers and companies, both straight or within the type of greater costs.
The politics of tariffs may simply backfire if Trump’s agenda pushes up inflation and grinds down development.
RFK Jr. confirmed as subsequent US well being secretary
11:32 a.m. ET: The Senate has confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as President Donald Trump’s well being secretary in a 52-48 vote.
The outstanding vaccine skeptic will management $1.7 trillion in federal spending, vaccine suggestions and meals security in addition to medical insurance applications for roughly half the nation.
Republicans fell in line behind Trump regardless of hesitancy over Kennedy views on vaccines. Sen. Mitch McConnell, who had polio as a baby, was the one “no” vote amongst Republicans, mirroring his stands in opposition to Trump’s picks for the Pentagon chief and director of nationwide intelligence. All Democrats opposed Kennedy.
“I’m a survivor of childhood polio. In my lifetime, I’ve watched vaccines save tens of millions of lives from devastating ailments throughout America and around the globe,” McConnell stated in a ready assertion. “I can’t condone the re-litigation of confirmed cures, and neither will tens of millions of Individuals who credit score their survival and high quality of life to scientific miracles.”
Kennedy shall be sworn into workplace later Thursday within the Oval Workplace, stated White Home press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
She additionally stated Trump will signal an govt order to create a “MAHA” fee, to review Make America Wholesome Once more.
Kennedy has talked quite a bit about how unhealthy the USA is as a nation.
McMahon says Congress ought to shut down Schooling Division
11:03 a.m. ET: Linda McMahon, Trump’s choose for schooling secretary, is testifying at her Senate affirmation listening to Thursday. She advised senators she believes it could take an act of Congress to abolish the Schooling Division, saying the Trump administration desires to “do that proper” and craft a plan that senators will assist.
McMahon used softer language than President Donald Trump has invoked in his pledge to shut the Schooling Division. If confirmed, she vowed to “reorient” the division with out ending a few of its core work, including that “defunding isn’t the objective right here.”
“We’d prefer to guarantee that we’re presenting a plan that I feel our senators may get on board with, and our Congress may get on board with, that will have a greater functioning Division of Schooling,” McMahon stated. However closing the division “actually does require congressional motion.”
Her remarks clashed with the rhetoric espoused by Trump, who on Wednesday stated he wished the division closed “instantly.”
What to anticipate for Trump, Modi go to
Modi is seeking to enhance relations with Washington and the West total, which have been frosty recently after Modi refused to sentence Russia for its conflict on Ukraine. For the Trump administration, India is seen as integral to the U.S. technique of containing China within the Indo-Pacific.
RELATED: 75,000 federal employees take buyout after choose approves Trump’s downsizing plan
The U.S. is India’s largest commerce companion, however the two international locations have a commerce deficit of $50 billion in India’s favor.
U.S. President Donald Trump within the Oval Workplace on the White Home on February 10, 2025 (Picture by Andrew Harnik/Getty Photos)
What they’re saying:
Trump has repeatedly dubbed India a “tariff king.” In response, New Delhi has proven a willingness to purchase extra American oil whereas decreasing its personal tariffs on U.S. items, together with on some Harley-Davidson bikes, from 50% to 40%.
Additionally, India in 2023 dropped retaliatory tariffs on U.S. almonds, apples, chickpeas, lentils and walnuts.
Then there is a current deal permitting U.S.-based Basic Electrical to companion with India-based Hindustan Aeronautics to supply jet engines for Indian plane in India, and the sale of U.S.-made armed MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones.
Nonetheless, Trump has decried U.S. commerce deficits around the globe and stated he’ll work to shrink them.
Dig deeper:
One other subject prone to be mentioned is immigration. Modi can level to India’s having accepted the return of 104 migrants introduced again on a U.S. army airplane — the primary such flight to the nation as a part of the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration and the U.S.-Mexico border.
Trump to announce reciprocal tariffs
Sec. Rubio talks USAID and tariffs
United States Secretary Marco Rubio sat down with FOX Information to debate the Panama Canal, USAID, and the Trump tariff wars occurring between the US, Mexico, China and Canada. This comes after Rubio’s journey to Panama. Hear in.
What we all know:
The president posted on social media that he’ll signal an govt order rising U.S. tariffs to the charges different international locations cost on imports.
RELATED: US-China commerce conflict reignites as each side slap new tariffs
“TODAY IS THE BIG ONE: RECIPROCAL TARIFFS!!!” Trump stated on his social media web site Reality Social. “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”
What we do not know:
Trump has not specified but how he defines the time period “reciprocal” and whether or not his order would apply solely to matching tariffs or to handle different overseas taxes he views as boundaries to American exports.
RELATED: Tariffs may trigger ‘some ache’ for Individuals, Trump says
Large image view:
A dramatic hike on tariffs may ship shockwaves by means of the world economic system, presumably miserable development whereas inflicting inflation to accentuate. Trump has maintained that such tariffs will assist to create home manufacturing unit jobs, however most economists say they might successfully be a tax enhance on U.S. customers that will add to inflationary pressures.
RELATED: CPI inflation report: Egg, fuel and different costs that jumped in January
Senate to vote on RFK Jr. nomination
What’s subsequent:
The Senate is predicted to vote Thursday on the affirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a outstanding lawyer and vocal vaccine critic, because the nation’s well being secretary, controlling $1.7 trillion in spending for vaccines, meals security and medical insurance applications for roughly half the nation.
RFK Jr. grilled by Sen. Warren on vaccine lawsuits
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared on Wednesday earlier than the Finance Committee, one among two committees with jurisdiction over HHS, and once more on Thursday earlier than the Well being Committee. Kennedy’s affirmation is way from sure within the Senate, the place he’s anticipated to face pointed questioning from each Republicans and Democrats on the chamber’s well being and finance committees. Kennedy’s nomination alarmed people who find themselves involved about his report of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines. He has lengthy superior the debunked concept that vaccines trigger autism. Throughout Wednesday’s listening to, Kennedy Jr. sparred with Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, amongst others.
Regardless of a number of Republicans expressing deep skepticism about his views on vaccines, Kennedy is predicted to win affirmation, absent any last-minute adjustments. If confirmed, he’ll oversee public well being companies together with the Meals and Drug Administration, the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention and the Nationwide Institutes for Well being.
RELATED: Who’s RFK Jr.’s spouse? Cheryl Hines seen at Senate affirmation listening to
McMahon, Trump’s schooling secretary choose, faces listening to
Linda McMahon, a former professional wrestling performer and spouse of WWE’s Vince McMahon, faces an uncommon check on Thursday as she seeks Senate approval to steer an company the president desires her to destroy.
What Trump dismantling Schooling Dept. would imply
All through his marketing campaign, President-elect Donald Trump heaped scorn on the federal Division of Schooling, describing it as being infiltrated by ” radicals, zealots and Marxists.” He has picked Linda McMahon, a former wrestling govt, to steer the division. However like many conservative politicians earlier than him, Trump has referred to as for dismantling the division altogether — a cumbersome job that seemingly would require motion from Congress. Jeanne Allen, founder and CEO of the Middle for Schooling Reform, joined LiveNOW from FOX to debate.
If Trump has his method, his choose for schooling secretary can be the final within the function. The Republican president has promised to shut the company, saying it has been infiltrated by “radicals, zealots and Marxists.”
RELATED: Linda McMahon: A have a look at the background of Trump’s choose for Schooling secretary
A plan being thought of by the White Home would direct the schooling secretary to dismantle the division as a lot as legally attainable whereas asking Congress to abolish it utterly.
At a White Home information convention final week, Trump stated he wished McMahon “to place herself out of a job.”
RELATED: Is FAFSA a part of the Schooling Division? And different issues to know
Trump has but to signal an order on the division’s shutdown, and a few of McMahon’s advisers pressed to delay it till after her listening to. But it’s anticipated to be the central topic of Thursday’s listening to earlier than the Senate Committee on Well being, Schooling, Labor and Pensions.
Democrats have been gearing as much as grill McMahon on her willingness to execute Trump’s plan, which opponents say would undermine public schooling. Trump hasn’t stated whether or not he would protect the core work of the company, which sends billions of {dollars} a 12 months to varsities, manages a $1.6 trillion scholar mortgage portfolio and enforces civil rights in schooling.
The Supply: This report contains info from the Related Press.
