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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."

ByAlexandra Hutzler, Kevin Shalvey, Julia Reinstein, William Mansell, Stacey Dec, and Ivan Pereira

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.

Latest headlines:

Mar 09, 2025, 1:23 PM EDT
Trump says he expects Zelenskyy to sign rare earth minerals deal
Mar 09, 2025, 1:01 PM EDT
Trump says he paused tariffs to 'help Mexico and Canada to a certain extent'
Mar 08, 2025, 1:54 PM EST
Trump pushes Republicans to pass short-term funding bill

Here's how the news is developing:

Mar 04, 2025, 1:30 PM EST

Thune said he views tariff policy through a 'different lens' than Trump

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said Tuesday that he views tariff policy through a "different lens" than President Donald Trump because of the economic impact that tariffs have on his home state of South Dakota.

"I think the president is looking at this as a means to an end. I don't think it is the end itself. I certainly hope it isn't," Thune said during an appearance on CNN.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune accompanied by Sens. Tom Cotton, Shelley Moore Capito, Sen. John Hoeven and Sen. James Lankford speaks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol, Feb. 25, 2025 in Washington.
Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images

He predicted the markets will stabilize but conceded the potential for rising costs for consumers is an "issue."

-ABC News' Allison Pecorin

Mar 04, 2025, 1:30 PM EST

Trump says retaliatory tariff on US will raise reciprocal tariffs

President Donald Trump said retaliatory tariffs on the United States will lead him to raise reciprocal tariffs by 25% on Canada.

"Please explain to Governor Trudeau, of Canada, that when he puts on a Retaliatory Tariff on the U.S., our Reciprocal Tariff will immediately increase by a like amount!" Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social Tuesday afternoon.

President Donald Trump, Mar. 3, 2025 and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Mar. 4, 2025.
Reuters/AP

Mar 04, 2025, 1:05 PM EST

House Democratic women wearing pink to protest Trump's joint address

The Democratic Women's Caucus Chairwoman, Teresa Leger Fernández, told ABC News the caucus is calling on women to wear pink at the president's joint address on Tuesday because it is the "color of power and protest."

"It has been used in protest against Trump, and it's been used in protest against Putin, and it is, I think, an affirmation that women are strong," Fernández said. "This is a color that immediately pops as associated with women, both our power and our purpose."

Rep. Hillary Scholten speaks during a news conference held by the Democratic Women's Caucus at the U.S. Capitol, Mar. 4, 2025 in Washington.
Tierney L. Cross/Getty Images

"In our beautiful tapestry, we are united against Trump," she added.

-ABC News' Arthur Jones II

Mar 04, 2025, 12:38 PM EST

Johnson touts 'excitement about what DOGE is doing' ahead of Musk visit to Congress

House Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed Elon Musk is meeting with House Republicans on Wednesday at 7 p.m. to explain what DOGE is doing and take questions.

"Elon Musk is coming to give everyone an update, House Republicans," Johnson said Tuesday. "There's a lot of excitement about what DOGE is doing and some questions, and he'll be able to answer the questions of members there. The closer we coordinate with what DOGE is doing and with the House, the better off the country is because again we'll be able again to make these savings from fraud, waste and abuse permeant in the budgeting process that's going to be a good thing for every American taxpayer."