Trump 2nd term updates: Trump excludes low-value shipments from looming tariffs

The amendment exempts imports valued at less than $800 from Canada and Mexico.

ByKevin Shalvey, Alexandra Hutzler, Emily Chang, Ivan Pereira, William Mansell, Sarah Beth Hensley, Jon Haworth, and Nadine El-Bawab
Last Updated: March 2, 2025, 11:08 PM EST

President Donald Trump’s efforts to reshape the federal government to his liking suffered a loss in court when a federal judge blocked his administration from firing the head of a federal watchdog agency without cause, likely triggering a lengthy appeal that could end at the Supreme Court.

U.S. District Justice Amy Berman Jackson determined the move was unlawful and issued a permanent injunction that reinstated special counsel Hampton Dellinger to his position.

Meanwhile, the Social Security Administration said it will cut 7,000 jobs and six of its 10 regional centers as part of the president’s downsizing of the federal workforce.

And Trump’s physician announced the president will have his annual physical next month, days after reporters raised questions about a bruise they saw on the back of his hand.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing:
Feb 26, 2025, 12:42 PM EST

Canada, Mexico tariffs could be postponed if they make progress on fentanyl, border: Lutnick

Trump said the tariffs against Mexico and Canada are expected to go into effect on April 2, after a monthlong pause.

But then Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said another pause is possible based on fentanyl prevention and progress on the border.

"If they can prove to the president they've done an excellent job," Lutnick said.

"It's going to be hard to satisfy," Trump then said.

Feb 26, 2025, 12:40 PM EST

Trump claims EU was created to 'screw the United States'

Trump stressed that he is still planning to push tariffs on foreign countries to improve the economy and claimed the European Union in particular left the U.S. with billions in debt.

"I mean, look, let's be honest, the European Union was formed in order to screw the United States. That's the purpose of it," the president said.

President Donald Trump sits between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth as he delivers remarks during a Cabinet Meeting at the White House, Feb. 26, 2025, in Washington.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Trump claimed that any retaliatory tariff would not work.

Feb 26, 2025, 12:37 PM EST

Trump indicates that Cabinet members are bound to follow his orders

Trump was asked about his executive power and if he has the power to call upon any Cabinet member and issue orders that they are bound to follow, to which he responded “yes."

Feb 26, 2025, 12:35 PM EST

Fact-check: Trump claims 'tens of billions' in military equipment left in Afghanistan

As he continued to criticize the Biden administration's handling of the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, Trump said they left "tens of billions" of dollars worth of new military equipment there.

The number is not that large. The Defense Department's inspector general estimates $7.12 billion worth of U.S.-funded equipment was seized by the Taliban when the U.S. withdrew.

"I think we should get a lot of that equipment back," Trump said with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth seated next to him.

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