Live updates: Trump delays Mexico tariffs as he seeks last-minute trade deals
Trade deals are top of mind Thursday for President Trump, the day before his tariffs take effect.
Trump announced Mexico would get a 90-day reprieve, punting a 30 percent tariff that was set to go into effect on Friday.
The president agreed to terms with South Korea on Wednesday, the latest in his list of nations to strike a bargain. Canada, however, faces a steeper hill after it said it would recognize a Palestinian state (with conditions) and Trump declared that stance would make negotiations for favorable trade levies more difficult.
Trump’s plans for higher reciprocal tariffs land in court on Thursday, when the U.S. Appeals Court for the Federal District, located in Washington, will scrutinize them after a group of businesses and a bloc of states sued, saying they weren’t legal.
Meanwhile, amid calls for humanitarian relief in Gaza, the president is pushing for Hamas to “surrender” and free its hostages, saying in a social media post Thursday morning that it is the “fastest way” to end the crisis.
The president on Thursday will lunch with the vice president, then sign executive orders later in the day. A White House press briefing is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Catch up:
- Trump tirade against Grassley irritates Republican senators
- GOP bullish on dismantling Voting Rights Act
- Record number of Senate Democrats vote to block weapon sales for Israel
Follow along all day for updates.