President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed a critical-minerals deal at the White House on Monday as the U.S. eyes the continent’s rich rare-earth resources when China is imposing tougher rules on exporting its own critical minerals abroad. The two leaders described the agreement as an $8.5 billion deal between the allies. Trump said it had been negotiated over several months. “In about a year from now we’ll have so much critical mineral and rare earth that you won’t know what to do with them,” said Trump, a Republican, boasting about the deal. “They’ll be worth $2.” Albanese added that the agreement takes the U.S.-Australia relationship “to the next level.” Earlier this month, Beijing announced that it will require foreign companies to get approval from the Chinese government to export magnets containing even trace amounts of rare-earth materials that originated from China or were produced with Chinese technology. The Trump administration says this gives China broad power over the global economy by controlling the tech supply chain. “Australia is really, really going to be helpful in the effort to take the global economy and make it less risky, less exposed to the kind of rare earth extortion that we’re seeing from the Chinese,” Kevin Hassett, the director of the White House’s National Economic Council, told reporters Monday morning ahead of Trump’s meeting with Albanese. Hassett noted that Australia has one of the best mining economies in the world, while praising its refiners and its abundance of rare earth resources. Among the Australian officials accompanying Albanese are ministers overseeing resources and industry and science, and Australia has dozens of critical minerals sought by the U.S. because they are needed in everything from fighter jets and electric vehicles to laptops and phones. The agreement could have an immediate impact on rare earth supplies in the United States if American companies can secure some of what Australian mines are already producing, although it will take years — if not decades — to develop enough of a supply of rare earths outside of China to reduce their dominance. Pini Althaus, who founded USA Rare Earth back in 2019 and is now working to develop new mines in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan as CEO of Cove Capital, said it will be crucial that the contracts to buy materials from Australian mines include price floors, similar to what the U.S. government promised MP Materials this summer, to protect against China manipulating prices. For decades, China has used the tactic of dumping excess critical minerals onto the market to drive prices down to force mining companies in the rest of the world out of business to eliminate any competition. “Taking away that arrow of China’s to be able to manipulate pricing is a crucial first step for Australia and the West to be able to develop critical minerals projects to meet our demands,” said Althaus, who has spent nearly a quarter-century in the mining business. The agreement underscores how the U.S. is using its global allies to counter China, especially as it weaponizes its traditional dominance in rare earth materials. Top Trump officials have used the tactics from Beijing as a rallying cry for the U.S. and its allies to work together to try to minimize China’s influence. “China is a command-and-control economy, and we […]
The Jewish world suffered a major loss with the untimely passing of Rabbi Moshe Hauer, the Executive Director of the Orthodox Union, this Shemini Atzeret. His sudden departure left the Baltimore Community, where he served as a Rabbi for 26 years, in absolute shock. But his loss was felt not only in Baltimore but throughout Jewish communities the world over. So vast and prodigious were his accomplishments that his absence will be felt for long after his petira. While I was a member of the Baltimore community during much of Rabbi Hauer’s tenure there, I was deeply involved in Congregation Shomrei Emunah and only rarely did I attend services in Congregation Bnei Jacob Shaarei Zion where Rabbi Hauer occupied the pulpit. Notwithstanding that fact, I was aware of his immense influence and outstanding Rabbinic leadership. He was a key Rabbi in the city and had great positive effect on Jewish life in Baltimore. When he was lured away from his congregation to serve the OU, there was a true sense of a letdown in the quality of Rabbinic leadership in the community. Sensing that his departure would be adversely felt by his congregants, Rabbi Hauer insisted on maintaining his residence in Baltimore, despite the fact that his office was in New York City. He did this in order that he could continue to mentor members and others in the community that might seek him out for guidance in personal issues. He also continued, his schedule for the OU permitting, to give Torah classes in his former Shul, where he served as Rabbi emeritus. Thus, despite his heavy workload for the OU, he remained connected to his beloved members. In order to not only keep his memory alive, but also to enable his life to be a lesson and model for us all to emulate, I thought to pen this eulogy and try and encapsulate those remarkable qualities that made him outstanding and unique. A True Manhig (leader) – What became known to the OU leadership was Rabbi Hauer’s leadership qualities. They chose him because they sensed that we would emerge as an articulate, effective spokesman who could and did speak to and on behalf of Am Yisrael. He addressed community issues as well as national and international issues that drew the attention of the mass media, and it was often that he would be quoted for the Torah perspective on a variety of subjects. But he did not just wait for the press to contact him, he submitted Op-Ed articles and brought the Torah point of view to the forefront. He was a Torah scholar who communicated G-d’s ways, mores and ethics to the masses. Rabbi Hauer garnered respect for Orthodoxy in the public forum where all too often some of our sages and rabbis are denigrated for their extreme and shrill views. He was a considered, erudite, uncompromising proponent of the Torah’s stance; a manhig in the finest sense of the word. A Talmid Chacham (a Torah Scholar) – One of the foremost talmidim of Rav Yaakov Weinberg TZ”L, Rabbi Hauer was steeped in Torah knowledge. He adopted many of the traits of his great Rebbi. He was passionate in his learning and was committed to his Torah studies, as well as to his students. He never left the […]
President Donald Trump has encouraged a retired Navy SEAL and unsuccessful legislative candidate to challenge Republican Rep. Thomas Massie in next year’s Kentucky primary, building up his choice as “A WINNER WHO WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN” in his latest social media barrage against the congressman, who has crossed him on high-profile issues. Trump’s choice, Ed Gallrein, has not entered the 4th District campaign but said he would reveal his plans soon while praising the president for “an amazing job” on securing the border and lowering taxes. Trump touted Gallrein in a Friday evening post on his social media platform: “RUN, ED, RUN.” Gallrein is a farmer and businessman who had a long military career and last year ran for a state Senate seat, narrowly losing in a three-way Republican primary. Massie, bracing for the toughest political fight of his career, last week reported his best-ever fundraising quarter to try to counter a super PAC launched by Trump aides that has run ads attacking him. The maverick congressman sounded unfazed by the emergence of a would-be rival backed by Trump. “After having been rejected by every elected official in the 4th District, Trump’s consultants clearly pushed the panic button with their choice of failed candidate and establishment hack Ed Gallrein. Ed’s been begging them to pick him for over three months now,” Massie said in a statement Friday night. Massie has drawn Trump’s wrath for opposing him on budget and foreign policy issues but is betting that Kentuckians will embrace his independent streak despite Trump’s popularity in the Bluegrass State. Asked Monday to handicap a potential May 2026 primary involving Massie and Gallrein, Republican consultant Tres Watson said: “This race is 100% about Thomas Massie vs. Donald Trump. I think it will be an interesting test of Trump’s influence on the base of the party. Because Thomas Massie also appeals to an important constituency in the base of the party.” Trump’s endorsement was seen as decisive in a recent open congressional primary in Tennessee. Matt Van Epps, who won the crowded Republican primary, said Trump’s endorsement “made the difference, and I will never forget it.” Van Epps will compete in December in a special election to replace a GOP congressman who left office this summer. Massie draws Trump’s ire Massie’s well-documented, up-and-down relationship with Trump took another plunge this year. The libertarian-leaning congressman opposed Trump’s massive tax breaks and spending cuts package, saying it will grow the national debt and hurt the economy, while Trump calls it “beautiful.” Massie also drew Trump’s ire for saying the president lacked authority to attack Iran’s nuclear sites without congressional approval. And Massie has been among a handful of House Republicans looking to force the public release of case files on the child trafficking probe into the late Jeffrey Epstein. The Republican president’s supporters want the government to release secret files about Epstein, who authorities say killed himself in his New York jail cell while awaiting trial. Trump has repeatedly denied prior knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and claimed he cut off their relationship long ago. Massie has been endorsed by Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul, who joined the congressman on a two-day swing through the 4th District last month. After one event, Paul told reporters that based on the enthusiastic turnout they received, “it will be very hard to run against” Massie. Trump […]
A federal appeals court has ruled that President Donald Trump can deploy National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, blocking a lower court’s order that had prevented him from federalizing 200 guardsmen to protect an ICE facility in the city.
POTUS: “I am pleased to announce that ground has been broken on the White House grounds to build the new, big, beautiful White House Ballroom…with zero cost to the American Taxpayer!”
The White House on Monday started tearing down part of the East Wing, the traditional base of operations for the first lady, to build President Donald Trump’s ballroom despite lacking approval for construction from the federal agency that oversees such projects. Dramatic photos of the demolition work showed a backhoe tearing into the East Wing façade and windows and other building parts in tatters on the ground. Some reporters watched from a park near the Treasury Department, which is next door to the East Wing. Trump announced the start of construction in a social media post and referenced the work while hosting 2025 college baseball champs Louisiana State University and LSU-Shreveport in the East Room. He noted the work was happening “right behind us.” “We have a lot of construction going on, which you might hear periodically,” he said, adding, “It just started today.” The White House has moved ahead with the massive construction project despite not yet having sign-off from the National Capital Planning Commission, which approves construction work and major renovations to government buildings in the Washington area. Its chairman, Will Scharf, who is also the White House staff secretary and one of Trump’s top aides, said at the commission’s September meeting that agency does not have jurisdiction over demolition or site preparation work for buildings on federal property. “What we deal with is essentially construction, vertical build,” Scharf said last month. It was unclear whether the White House had submitted the ballroom plans for the agency’s review and approval. The White House did not respond to a request for comment and the commission’s offices are closed because of the government shutdown. The Republican president had said in July when the project was announced that the ballroom would not interfere with the mansion itself. “It’ll be near it but not touching it and pays total respect to the existing building, which I’m the biggest fan of,” he said of the White House. “It’s my favorite. It’s my favorite place. I love it.” The East Wing houses several offices, including the office of the first lady. It was constructed in 1902 and and has been renovated over the years, and a second story was added in 1942, according to the White House. Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said those East Wing offices will be temporarily relocated during construction and that wing of the building will be modernized and renovated. “Nothing will be torn down,” Leavitt said when she announced the project in July. Trump insists that such a ballroom has been desired for 150 years and that he’s adding the massive 90,000-square-foot, glass-walled space because the East Room, which is the largest room in the White House with an approximately 200-person capacity, is too small. He also has said he does not like the idea of hosting kings, queens, presidents and prime ministers in pavilions on the South Lawn. The ballroom will be the biggest structural change to the Executive Mansion since the addition of the Truman Balcony overlooking the South Lawn in 1948, even dwarfing the building itself. At a dinner he hosted last week for some of the wealthy business executives who are donating money toward the $250 million construction cost, Trump said the project had grown in size and now will accommodate 999 people. […]
French investigators have enlisted an Israeli security firm led by a former Shin Bet chief to help unravel one of the most daring art thefts in recent memory — the jewel heist at the Louvre, according to the firm. CGI Group, headed by Yaakov Peri, Israel’s former domestic intelligence director, says it was brought in to assist authorities amid growing signs the theft may have been orchestrated by a professional criminal network. The company previously helped solve the 2019 Dresden Green Vault burglary in Germany, which saw €113 million in jewels stolen. The Louvre theft unfolded Sunday morning, when four masked men used a construction crane to smash into the museum’s Galerie d’Apollon, home to France’s royal jewels. Armed with angle grinders but no firearms, the robbers threatened guards, stole nine pieces — escaping with eight — and fled Paris on motorcycles. Among the stolen items was a crown once owned by Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III. It was dropped during the thieves’ escape and later recovered. Investigators said the suspects bypassed the Regent diamond, worth more than $60 million, raising questions about their motives. Officials found a reflective vest and evidence the robbers tried to torch the crane before fleeing. Culture Minister Rachida Dati acknowledged that the heist exposed “serious security gaps,” while President Emmanuel Macron condemned the robbery as “an attack on our shared heritage,” vowing the treasures would be recovered. However, the Louvre denies it asked CGI Group to help solve the crime. “The Louvre management denies it,” it said in a statement to AFP. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Old online comments made by a U.S. Senate candidate in Maine in which the candidate appeared to endorse political violence, dismiss assaults on women in the military and criticize both police officers and rural America were wrong but not disqualifying from office, the chair of the Democratic Party said. Graham Platner is running for a U.S. Senate seat in Maine that has been held by Republican Susan Collins since 1997. He faces a crowded field for the nomination that also includes Democratic Maine Gov. Janet Mills, who announced her candidacy last week. CNN first reported last week on old Reddit posts made by Platner that he had deleted since entering the Senate race, and several media outlets followed, revealing separate controversial posts. The posts were made between 2013 to 2021. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said during a Sunday appearance on CNN that he does not think the posts were “disqualifying” but did say they were “not right” and “offensive” and he was glad Platner apologized for them. “I don’t think they’re disqualifying, but certainly they’re not right,” said Martin to CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday. “And I’m glad that he apologized for them. They’re indefensible, they’re hurtful, and they’re offensive.” Platner has apologized for the comments in a video he posted on social media on Friday. He said in his apology video that the posts were made after leaving the Army in 2012, saying that he “still had the crude humor, the dark, dark feelings, the offensive language that really was a hallmark of the infantry when I was in it.” He also said that he was struggling with PTSD and depression. “I’m sorry for this. Just know that it’s not reflective at all of who I am. I don’t want you to judge me on the dumbest thing I ever wrote on the internet. I would prefer if people could judge me on the person I am today,” Platner said. In the days since his apology, Platner has posted more of his old Reddit posts, highlighting that he spent a lot of time online encouraging other veterans to get help. He also posted additional Reddit posts showing him criticizing homophobia and misogyny in the military. One post he shared Monday stated that he was disillusioned by “rampant misogyny and weirdness” in the Marines, which he also served in. Platner is an oyster farmer making his first attempt at public office who is running a progressive campaign with an aggressive social media presence. He has the backing of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who has described Platner as a stronger candidate for the seat than Mills. The Mills campaign did not respond to a request for comment on Monday. The Collins campaign said in a Friday statement that Platner’s old posts “disparaged everyone from people living in rural areas, to the police, to people with” disabilities. The campaign also said in the statement that the controversy over the posts illustrated rifts between the Democratic Party’s different factions. But some Democratic leaders in the state said they are continuing to support Platner in the wake of the revelations about his online postings. “I think it’s about Graham’s authenticity and that’s what is going to come through,” said Karen Heck, former mayor of Waterville. Meanwhile, Platner’s political director resigned […]
Hagaon HaRav Elya Brudny, Hagaon HaRav Malkiel Kotler, the Novaminsker Rebbe from Lakewood, and Hagaon HaRav Chaim Yehoshua Hoberman (Rosh Yeshiva Long Beach) at the Kosel tonight.
White nationalist influencer Nick Fuentes, once one of Donald Trump’s most vocal online supporters, unleashed a profanity-laced tirade against the president last week — accusing him of declining mentally and calling him “a weird guy” who’s “not right in the head.” During a livestream of his online show America First, Fuentes responded to a viewer comment suggesting Trump had grown out of touch and disinterested in governing. The viewer wrote that Trump “just wants to play golf, fly on Air Force One, have fancy dinner parties, [and] sign Oval Office EOs,” referencing claims that Trump’s current worldview is shaped by old footage of Black Lives Matter riots. Fuentes agreed, blasting Trump’s mental sharpness and personality. “Something is wrong with him, man,” Fuentes said. “He’s a weird guy… He’s not right in the head. Anyone who’s been around him will tell you that. He’s not sharp… He’s just slow and monotonous and repeats himself and seems to really not know what’s going on.” Fuentes added that while Trump was “a lot more sharp” a decade ago, he now appears “confused” and “out of it.” The far-right figure’s comments mark a further rupture with Trump after years of public alignment. Fuentes, who gained notoriety for his extremist and antisemitic rhetoric, has repeatedly lashed out at the former president in recent months — including over Trump’s handling of the Epstein files controversy and what Fuentes called a “Jewish” influence in Trump’s inner circle. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
President Donald Trump said Monday that while he thinks it is possible that Ukraine can defeat Russia, he’s now doubtful it will happen. The comments from Trump added a fresh layer of skepticism toward Kyiv as he plans to meet again in the coming weeks with Russian President Vladimir Putin for face-to-face talks in Budapest, Hungary, on ending the war. “They could still win it. I don’t think they will, but they could still win it,” Trump told reporters on Monday at the start of a White House meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Trump last month reversed his long-held position that Ukraine would have to concede land and could win back all the territory it has lost to Russia. But after a lengthy call with Putin last week followed by a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump made another reversal and called on Kyiv and Moscow to “stop where they are” and end their brutal war. Asked on Monday about his whiplashing opinion on Kyiv’s position, Trump offered the dour assessment about Ukraine’s chances. He added, “I never said they would win it. I said they could. Anything can happen. You know war is a very strange thing.” Earlier Monday, Zelenskyy said that during the White House meeting Trump informed him that Putin’s maximalist demand — that Ukraine cede the entirety of its eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions — was unchanged. Still, Zelenskyy described the meeting as “positive,” even though Trump also rebuffed his request for long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. In public comments in the weeks leading up to his meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump had appeared to warm to the possibility of sending the Tomahawks, which would allow Ukrainian forces to strike deeper into Russian territory. But the U.S. leader’s tone changed after his latest call with Putin and he made clear that he was reluctant to send Ukraine the missile system, at least for the time-being. “In my opinion, he does not want an escalation with the Russians until he meets with them,” Zelenskyy told reporters on Sunday. His comments were embargoed until Monday morning. Zelenskyy also expressed skepticism about Putin’s proposal to swap some territory it holds in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions if Ukraine surrenders Donetsk and Luhansk, saying the proposal was unclear. The Donetsk and Luhansk regions make up the Donbas. Ukraine’s leader said Trump ultimately supported a freeze along the current front line. “We share President Trump’s positive outlook if it leads to the end of the war,” Zelenskyy said, citing “many rounds of discussion over more than two hours with him and his team.” Zelenskyy was diplomatic about his meeting with Trump despite reports that he faced pressure to accept Putin’s demands. The meeting followed the disastrous Oval Office spat on Feb. 28 when the Ukrainian president was scolded on live television for not being grateful for U.S. support. Zelenskyy said he hopes that Trump’s meeting in the coming weeks with Putin in Hungary — which does not support Ukraine — will pave the way for a peace deal. Zelenskyy said he has not been invited to attend but would consider it if the format for talks were fair to Kyiv. He also took a shot at Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, saying he does not believe that a prime minister […]
Join hundreds of women who have transformed themselves, their homes, and their relationships with their children. Topics: Discipline, boundaries, building a positive and healthy relationship – even with the very challenging child, your child’s emotional needs, maintaining a positive home, dealing with out-of-control behavior, handling fights and arguments, the spiritual routine & the emotional spirituality atmosphere in the home, siblings dynamics and safety. Geared for ages 3-12 Beginner/ Fundamental Course: Dates (11 sessions)Nov 10, 17, 24Dec 1, 8, 23, 24Jan 4, 13Feb 4, 13 Time: 8:30-9:30 Price: $475 Location: Lakewood, or via zoom/ teleconference Mrs. Hirschfeld has been teaching/coaching mothers for 15 years. Her down-to-earth,approachable, and clear instruction has helped hundreds of mothers transform their homes and improve their relationships with their children. Mrs. Hirscheld is trained, endorsed and supervised directly by Rebitzen Sima Spetner, with whom she maintains a close personal relationship. Course attendees are eligible to attend Rebitzen Spetner’s alumni courses/ teen courses at a later date. Join from the comfort of your home! Courses available via zoom/ teleconference For information or to register: (call/ text) 718-578-2128, or email: ehparenting@gmail.com Inquire about private consultations with Mrs. Hirschfeld. Back by popular demand! Chinuch va’d for Men by Rabbi Eli Hirschfeld: Get on the same pagewith your husband. Rabbi Eli Hirschfeld call/text 718.344.7589
President Donald Trump said Monday he could ask Israel to return to areas of Gaza vacated under the recent ceasefire and “eradicate Hamas” if necessary but is holding off to give the fragile truce a chance to hold. “We made a deal with Hamas that they’re going to be very good, they’re going to behave, they’re going to be nice, and if not, we’re going to eradicate them if we have to,” Trump told reporters at the White House. He reiterated that he does not believe Hamas’s leadership authorized Sunday’s deadly attack on Israeli troops in Gaza. “I don’t believe it was the leadership, but they have some rebellion in there among themselves,” Trump said, referencing internal executions by Hamas against rival factions. Calling Hamas “a violent group,” Trump warned, “If they keep doing it, then we’re going to straighten it out, and it’ll happen very quickly and pretty violently.” Trump added that several countries had privately offered to intervene in Gaza, claiming, “Israel would go in in two minutes if I asked them. But right now, we haven’t said that. We’re going to give it a little chance.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
The government shutdown entered its twentieth day on Monday, marking the longest full closure in U.S. history and the third-longest overall, behind only the 35-day partial shutdown of 2018–19 and the 21-day standoff of 1995–96. Yet despite the historic milestone and mounting economic strain, Congress remains locked in a stalemate with no clear path forward. The Senate is set to take up another vote Monday night on the House-passed continuing resolution to reopen the government, a procedural motion that would mark the eleventh failed attempt to end the impasse. Few lawmakers expect a different outcome this time. A separate Republican measure that would guarantee pay for federal employees during the shutdown is expected to come to the floor later this week, but Democrats have already dismissed it as a “show vote,” arguing that it serves as political theater designed to benefit President Donald Trump and Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought. The White House has remained steadfast that spending levels must stay below those approved under former President Joe Biden before Trump will consider signing any funding measure. The partisan divide has hardened in the upper chamber, though cracks are beginning to appear within Democratic ranks. Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania has publicly criticized his party’s strategy, warning that Democrats risk losing credibility by keeping the government closed in a push to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies that expire at year’s end. “We wrote the law—we should own the consequences,” Fetterman said, urging colleagues to confront the looming lapse in health-care support. Meanwhile, the shutdown’s fallout is deepening across the country. Federal employees will miss their first full paycheck this week, prompting several major banks and credit unions to offer short-term emergency loans. Air traffic controllers, working without pay, have begun signaling that they may stop reporting for shifts if the situation continues, raising fears of widespread flight delays and disruptions. At the Department of Agriculture, loan programs for farmers and small businesses remain suspended, leaving rural communities facing growing uncertainty. Senate Republicans plan to meet with Trump on Tuesday in the newly renovated White House Rose Garden, a symbolic show of unity that underscores the party’s continued alignment with the former president as he drives the shutdown strategy from the West Wing. For now, neither side shows signs of budging. With critical programs nearing collapse and the November 1 funding deadline fast approaching, the next several days could determine whether Washington can break the gridlock—or whether this shutdown will cement its place among the most disruptive in modern American history. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Hagaon HaRav Elya Brudny and Hagaon HaRav Malkiel Kotler addressing the hundreds of Chavrusos at a Lev L’Achim Kiruv Bais Hamedrash in Holon. The delegation of Gedolim includes the Novaminsker Rebbe from Lakewood, Hagaon HaRav Yudi Svei (Rosh Yeshiva Philadelphia) and Hagaon HaRav Chaim Yehoshua Hoberman (Rosh Yeshiva Long Beach).
The Washington Post reports that construction crews have begun taking apart part of the White House to pave the way for President Donald Trump’s long-planned ballroom project.
President Donald Trump said Monday that the U.S. commands “great respect” from Beijing and that he will reach a “fantastic deal” with Chinese President Xi Jinping when the two leaders meet soon. Trump’s remarks come after Beijing infuriated him by expanding export controls on rare earth products that are used in smartphones, fighter jets, electric vehicles and more. Trump spoke as he hosted Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the White House, celebrating an agreement with the U.S. ally as a potential counterpoint to China’s near-monopoly in processing those critical minerals. “I think we’re going to end up having a fantastic deal with China,” Trump said. “It’s going to be a great trade deal. It’s going to be fantastic for both countries, and it’s going to be fantastic for the entire world.” When asked about China’s leverage, Trump said Beijing “threatened us with rare earths, and I threatened them with tariffs.” But he insisted his good relationship with Xi means they would work out ”a very fair deal.” All eyes are on a potential meeting between Trump and Xi because any failure to reach some agreement raises the risk of destabilizing not only relations between the two superpowers but also the global economy. Trump affirmed that he would meet with Xi this month on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, a grouping of 21 economies. Beijing has not announced plans for Xi to make the trip to South Korea, but it’s not unusual for such details to emerge closer to the travel date. Trump touts tariffs as a powerful tool with China The president has threatened to impose a new 100% tariff on China in response to Beijing’s expanded rules on rare earth products. And he said Monday that it has already had results. “Now, they’re treating us with great respect,” Trump said. “Now, we’ll see what happens. I said, if we don’t make a deal, I’m putting on an additional 100% on November 1. I think we’ll make a deal.” Since returning to the White House, Trump has levied additional 30% across-the-board tariffs on China. Trump said the total rate on Chinese goods is about 55% to 57% and the country has paid the U.S. “hundreds of billions of dollars worth of money for tariffs.” Beijing, however, has indicated it would play hardball. “Threatening high tariffs is not the right way to deal with China,” Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, said last week in response to Trump’s new tariffs threat. At the meeting with Albanese, Trump said he has other options to use against China: “They can’t get parts for their airplanes. We build their airplanes.” Still, he said he prefers reaching a deal. “I want to be good to China. I love my relationship with President Xi,” Trump said. Trump isn’t worried about China attacking Taiwan Trump also dismissed concerns that Beijing could soon attack the self-governed island of Taiwan. That is because, he said, the U.S. is far superior in military power. “It’s not even close,” Trump said. “We have the best equipment. We have the best of everything, and nobody’s going to mess with that.” The United States is obligated by its own laws to give military support to Taiwan, which split from China in 1949 during a civil war. Beijing claims sovereignty over the island and vows to seize it by force if […]
HAPPENING NOW: A delegation of Gedolim from the United States accompanied by a group of Baalei Batim are currently on a tour of the many incredible Lev L’Achim Kiruv Batei Midrashim, where Avreichim learn each night with non-religious Israelis, infusing their Neshamos and instilling their souls with the sweet words of Torah and Yiddishkeit. YWN will provide additional details of this historic trip over the next 24 hours.
