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Trump 2nd term live updates: Trump defends tariffs, declines to comment on Ukraine aid

Trump said tariffs will be the "greatest thing we've ever done as a country."

Last Updated: March 9, 2025, 8:31 PM EDT

President Donald Trump is defending his decision to pause some tariffs to Canada and Mexico for another month -- a notable reversal after imposing historic levies on the key U.S. trading partners earlier this week, causing markets to tumble.

On Friday, Trump signed more executive orders at the White House before he convened a first-ever cryptocurrency summit with industry leaders.

Mar 04, 2025, 11:32 AM EST

Trudeau slams US tariffs, says Canada will not back down until Trump lifts

In an emotional speech, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau slammed the U.S. tariffs as counterproductive.

"The U.S. started a trade war last night with their closest ally and friend," Trudeau said Tuesday. "They chose to do this while appeasing Putin. Make that make sense. We will not back down from a fight."

Trudeau said Canada would not back down until the U.S. and President Donald Trump lift the tariffs.

"To the U.S. people, your government has chosen to do this to you," Trudeau said. "Your government has chosen to put American jobs at risk. They've chosen to raise prices and chosen to harm American national security. They are sabotaging their own progress."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds a news conference on imposed U.S. tariffs with Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly, Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Public Safety Minister David McGuinty in Ottawa, Mar. 4, 2025.
Adrian Wyld /The Canadian Press via AP

He also touted the success the country has had in stopping fentanyl at the northern border.

--ABC News' Will Gretsky

Mar 04, 2025, 11:05 AM EST

Vance says Trump remains 'committed' to Ukraine mineral deal, aid pause intended to be a 'very explicit message'

Vice President JD Vance said that both he and President Donald Trump remain optimistic that a mineral deal can be reached with Ukraine despite the seemingly growing rift between the U.S. and Ukraine.

"Yah, I certainly do," Vance said on Capitol Hill Tuesday when asked about whether he believed the mineral deal could still be struck. "And I think the President is still committed to the mineral deal."

His answer comes just days after the tense Oval Office meeting between Vance, Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Last Monday night, the United States paused aid to Ukraine.

Vice President JD Vance talks to reporters in the hallway of the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, Mar. 4, 2025 in Washington.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Vance said Trump is trying to send a "very explicit message" by withholding aid to Ukraine.

"We think the Ukrainian troops have fought very bravely, but we are at a point here where neither Europe nor the United States nor the Ukrainians can continue this war indefinitely, so it is important that everybody come to the table and the President is trying to send a very explicit message," Vance said Tuesday.

--ABC News' Allison Pecorin

Mar 04, 2025, 9:52 AM EST

Mexican president to announce retaliatory tariffs if no deal reached with US

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Tuesday that if no deal can be reached with the U.S., she will announce retaliatory tariffs at a rally on Sunday.

Yesterday, the government of the United States, after 30 days of pause, unilaterally decided to impose 25% of tariffs on exports from Mexico, despite the Trade Agreement signed by President Trump himself," Sheinbaum said Tuesday.

Sheinbaum said she has a phone call with President Donald Trump on Thursday and if no deal can be reached, she'll announce the tariff and non-tariff measures at a rally.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum holds a press conference to announce response to U.S. tariffs, at National Palace in Mexico City, Mexico Mar. 4, 2025.
Raquel Cunha/Reuters

On the night of March 3rd, last night, the White House released an offensive, defamatory and unlawful statement on the Government of Mexico that we deny emphatically and condemn categorically," Sheinbaum said Tuesday.

Trump set March 4 as the start date for 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, as well as a 20% tariff on Chinese goods.

--ABC News' Anne Laurent

Mar 04, 2025, 9:02 AM EST

Linda McMahon says she'll direct 'historic overhaul' and dismantling of Department of Education

Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said her final mission is to do a "historic overhaul" of the Department of Education that cuts red tape and restores the American education system.

"Our job is to respect the will of the American people and the President they elected, who has tasked us with accomplishing the elimination of bureaucratic bloat here at the Department of Education—a momentous final mission—quickly and responsibly," McMahon wrote in an internal Department of Education email obtained by ABC News.

Stressing her commitment to deliver President Donald Trump's vision, McMahon said her mission is to change the status quo and dismantle the federal agency she was confirmed to lead.

Secretary of Education nominee Linda McMahon listens as President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, DC, Feb. 26, 2025.
Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

"The Department of Education's role in this new era of accountability is to restore the rightful role of state oversight in education and to end the overreach from Washington," McMahon said.

--ABC News' Arthur Jones

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