April Issue News Briefs
Local
“Hands off!” Protests Against Trump in St. Joseph Take Place
Hundreds of citizens in St. Joseph came out to protest against recently elected President Donald Trump, who won St. Joseph in the 2024 presidential election. The protests were part of a nationwide movement but also occurred locally in downtown St. Joseph. Protesters held up signs calling for the reinstatement of democracy and for the president to stop interfering with the economy. They also protested Elon Musk’s perceived “control” over economic policy. According to WSJM, police attempted to confine protesters to the bluff but were unable to do so due to the large crowd.
National
Economy in Freefall as Donald Trump Kicks Off Global Trade War
The global economy was thrown into chaos when President Donald Trump announced his new tariff policy, “The Reciprocal Tariff.” This series of tariffs placed new rates on over 90 nations. Some countries received the base 10 percent, while others—usually larger nations or those with a higher trade deficit with the United States—received much higher rates. Most alarming was the collective 104 percent tariff on China, which has now risen to 145 percent, according to CNN. As China is one of the largest exporters to the United States, prices on Chinese goods are expected to skyrocket. President Trump temporarily paused the tariff rollout with a 90-day hold, but left the Chinese tariffs in place and added an additional 20 percent tariff. Some nations have chosen to meet and discuss possible ways to reduce the tariffs, while others, such as China, have responded with tariffs of their own.
Global
Iran and U.S. to Meet Regarding Nuclear Program
Following the failure of President Trump’s original initiative for a deal on Iran’s nuclear program, he reinstated full sanctions on Iran and threatened war unless a new deal is reached. Although Iran initially declined to engage in talks, it has since agreed to meet with an American envoy, according to CBS News. The threat of potential conflict remains serious, as President Trump previously stated that military action against Iran was possible, according to Al Jazeera. Iran currently possesses 60 percent enriched uranium, which, according to AP News, is “a technical step away from weapons-grade levels.” The primary concern regarding Iran's potential acquisition of nuclear weapons centers on fears of aggression toward Israel. "If it requires military, we're going to have military. Israel will, obviously, be ... the leader of that. No one leads us. We do what we want. I don't want to be specific. But when you start talking, you know if they're going along well or not. And I would say the conclusion would be when I think they're not going along well," said President Trump.