Mexico struck a tariff deal as Canada braced for impact
President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico made a deal yesterday with the Trump administration to delay tariffs for a month, just hours before the punishing levies were set to go into effect. Canada remained in a perilous spot as the country faced hefty 25 percent tariffs on its exports to the U.S.
Trump also moved ahead with plans for a 10 percent tariff against China and warned that the European Union would be next. Stocks dropped sharply on Wall Street after markets in Asia and Europe tumbled, but bounced back after the deal with Mexico was announced.
A reprieve: Mexico and the U.S. reached a series of agreements on border security, including a promise by Mexico to send 10,000 more troops to the border.
Trump-Trudeau talks: Shortly before a phone call with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Trump repeated a litany of complaints against Canada. “We aren’t treated well by Canada,” he said. Trump said that the U.S. did not need Canada to make cars, and didn’t need Canadian lumber or agricultural products. He again said he would like to see Canada become the 51st state. Follow our live coverage.
Iran is considering an atomic weapon shortcut, U.S. said
Iran’s engineers are exploring how to rapidly turn stockpiles of nuclear fuel into a workable, but perhaps crude, atomic weapon should the country’s leaders decide to race for a bomb, U.S. officials said.
Their findings, based on intelligence collected in the final months of the Biden administration, suggest that Iran’s military is feeling diminished. Its proxy forces have been eviscerated and its missiles failed to pierce U.S. and Israeli defenses. Tehran’s military is now seriously exploring new options to deter an attack from either country.
What’s next: The new evidence will almost certainly be a part of discussions today in Washington between Trump and Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
Middle East: As Israel and Hamas prepare for negotiations to extend their truce, four rival models for Gaza’s future have begun to take shape.
A pro-Russia Ukrainian was killed in Moscow
Armen Sarkisyan, the founder of a separatist battalion fighting in eastern Ukraine, was killed yesterday after a bomb exploded inside a gated residence in Moscow, Russian media said. Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for the attack.
Delays: A standoff between Ukraine’s defense minister and the official who oversees weapons procurement is disrupting contracts and could cause future shortages in army supplies, defense companies say.
Kenya’s pink-clad “Boda Girls” — women who drive motorcycle taxis — are often harassed by passengers and male drivers. Still, many Boda Girls say they have earned incomes and satisfaction in helping others: Their favorite customers are pregnant women needing rides to the hospital. Read the story.
Lives lived: Marion Wiesel, who translated many books written by her husband, Elie Wiesel, died at 94.
CONVERSATION STARTERS
For Beyoncé, the fifth time’s a charm
After four Grammy losses for album of the year, Beyoncé finally had her moment on Sunday with “Cowboy Carter.” She is the fourth Black woman to take home the top honor, and her victory was so welcome that even her competitors seemed relieved.
Kendrick Lamar won the most awards of the night, including record and song of the year for “Not Like Us,” his Drake diss. Chappell Roan capped a breakout year with a best new artist win. Odes to Los Angeles were woven throughout the show, as relief efforts continue after last month’s devastating wildfires. Here are the best and worst moments from the Grammys.
