Politics
Trump tariffs: 50 nations seek new US trade talks — official
A senior advisor to US President Donald Trump said dozens of countries have contacted the White House seeking to renegotiate new US tariffs. Chip-making Taiwan says it wants to cut tariffs to zero.
Trump adviser: White House inundated with calls seeking fresh trade talks EU ready with “proportionate countermeasures,” says von der Leyen Netanyahu will urge Trump to cut tariffs on Israel during talks next week Chip leader Taiwan says it will seek zero-tariff deal with US
Here are the latest developments following the new round of Trump tariffs on Sunday, April 6:
EU’s von der Leyen warns bloc will ‘defend its interests’
European Union chief Ursula Von der Leyen said the bloc is prepared to “defend its interests with proportionate countermeasures” against Trump’s tariffs and will work with partners towards this end.
Von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, issued a statement following a call with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose country has been hit by 10% tariffs.
The president also reaffirmed the EU’s “commitment to engaging in negotiations with the US.”
The Commission, which also coordinates the bloc’s trade policy, is due to propose to EU states on Monday a list of US products, worth $28 billion (€25.6 billion), to hit with extra duties.
The imports targeted include US meat, cereals, wine, wood and clothing, among other goods.
Those retaliatory measures are in response to Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs rather than the broader reciprocal levies announced last week.
The 27-nation EU faces 25% tariffs on steel, aluminum and car exports and “reciprocal” tariffs of 20% from Wednesday for almost all other goods.
The new US tariffs will cover more than two-thirds of EU exports to the US.
On Monday, Luxembourg will host the first meeting of EU trade ministers since Trump’s sweeping tariffs were announced, where ministers are expected to push for a unified response.
Trump adviser: More than 50 countries want to renegotiate trade
Dozens of countries have so far reached out to renegotiate tariffs with the United States, a senior economic advisor to US President Donald Trump said.
National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett told ABC News that Trump’s tariffs had so far driven “more than 50” countries to contact the White House to begin trade talks.
Hassett also denied that Trump hoped the new tariffs would crash financial markets to pressure the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates.
He insisted there would be no “political coercion” of the US central bank.
In a Truth Social post on Friday, Trump shared a video that suggested his tariffs aimed to hammer the stock market on purpose in a bid to force lower interest rates.
US stocks tumbled by around 10% on Thursday and Friday, after Trump announced a new global tariff regime that was more aggressive than investors had been anticipating.
Welcome to our coverage
Thank you for joining us as we bring you the latest developments on US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff plan, that has sent shockwaves around the world.
As nations digest the impact of the punitive new levies, several leaders have spoken about the desire to cut their own tariffs on imports from the US.
Investors, meanwhile, are nervously awaiting the opening of financial markets on Monday, after large falls in stock prices late last week, following the announcement.
Politics
Breaking: Diri Orders Autopsy on Bayelsa Deputy Governor’s Death, Warns Against Politicisation
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of death of the state’s Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
Governor Diri gave the directive on Saturday while receiving former President Goodluck Jonathan at the Government House in Yenagoa.
Reacting to the incident, the governor condemned what he described as widespread misinformation and speculation on social media, warning against any attempt to politicise the deputy governor’s death.
“I want to make an appeal. I have seen people politicise his death. In Ijaw land, there is no enmity in death. Let nobody politicise the passing of our dearly beloved deputy governor,” Diri said.
“If anyone truly loves him, this is the time to show it. I have directed that an autopsy be carried out to reveal the cause of his death. There is a lot of nonsense going on on social media.”
The governor further urged the public to focus on mourning and honouring the late deputy governor, noting that the state government had declared three working days of mourning in his honour.
“If anyone is issuing statements to eulogise him, let it end there. Let us mourn him because Bayelsa State is in a mourning mood,” he added.
Governor Diri also called for unity and love among the people, reminding them of the inevitability of death.
Speaking during the condolence visit, former President Goodluck Jonathan described the late Ewhrudjakpo as a committed and dedicated individual who played a key role in the activities of his foundation.
“For me, he was someone my foundation and I will never forget. He represented the governor in all our programs,” Jonathan said, adding that Ewhrudjakpo worked tirelessly in that role, even more than when he served as deputy governor.
The founder of Living Faith Church, Bishop David Oyedepo, has said he will never take part in partisan politics, not for even billions of naira.
He stated that no amount of money, including “$1 billion,” (1.4 Trillion naira) would make him join politics.
Oyedepo made this known during an impartation service at Shiloh 2025 held at the church’s headquarters in Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State.
He explained that partisan politics is not part of his life’s calling and that is why he has chosen to stay away from it.
In his words: “In 2015, I warned the church that trouble was coming. Didn’t trouble come?
“Partisan politics is off my calling. If you give me $1 billion to join politics, I won’t, because it is off my course.”
The bishop also said the world is in urgent need of God’s intervention because of the times we are living in.
According to him, believers are being trained as an end-time army to bring solutions to national and global problems, similar to what biblical figures like Joseph and Daniel did.
President Bola Tinubu congratulates Chief Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on his birthday, December 13.
President Tinubu celebrates with the Minister and former governor of Rivers State, giving thanks to God Almighty for enriching him with a life defined by purpose, service, and courage.
The President describes Chief Wike as an audacious top performer who defies obstacles and delivers results.
President Tinubu acknowledges the ongoing transformation of the Federal Capital Territory through infrastructure expansion, highlighting the Minister’s recent intervention that broke the 14-year logjam in the construction of the Apo-Karshi road.
The President commends Chief Wike for his resilience, can-do attitude, and commitment to excellence in all assignments.
President Tinubu thanks the Minister for his consistent efforts in delivering results and wishes him a happy birthday and strength to further his good work in the FCT.
“Nyesom Wike has been one of the shining stars in the cabinet, an exceptional performer, developing infrastructure in the Federal capital as never seen before and proving that his moniker as ‘Mr Project’ is not limited to his home state of Rivers.
“I commend him for being one of the champions of our Renewed Hope Agenda, even though he belongs to another party and wish him well as he marks another year in his life journey”.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information and Strategy)
December 13, 2025
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