Trump has postponed the increase of tariffs on goods from the European Union again.
#TrumpTariffs
The President of the United States has postponed the increase of trade tariffs on imports from EU countries and some other countries until August 1. This information was also confirmed to Reuters by a high-ranking source in the EU. On the same day, Trump issued official letters announcing the introduction of trade tariffs starting August 1 of 25% for Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, and Tunisia, 30% for South Africa and Bosnia and Herzegovina, 32% for Indonesia, 35% for Serbia and Bangladesh, 36% for Thailand and Cambodia, and 40% for Laos and Myanmar. These measures are justified by Washington due to the 'trade deficit' that the US has with these countries. Currently, there is a base tariff of 10% on the import of most products from the EU. European cars are subject to an increased tariff of 25%, and steel and aluminum are at 50%. Trump warned that if the European Union does not agree to a deal, a 50% tariff will apply to all goods from it. On July 6, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had a phone call with Trump, after which she reported that the EU expects to reach an agreement with the US in the coming days to resolve the trade conflict.
Trump promised 'more weapons' for Ukraine
He said this before dinner with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
'We are going to send more weapons. They need to be able to defend themselves. They are being hit very hard. We will have to send more weapons. First of all, defensive weapons. So many people are dying in this chaos,' said the President of the United States.
Additionally, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell officially announced the sending of 'additional defensive weapons' to Ukraine so that Ukrainians can defend themselves while we work on ensuring a lasting peace and stopping the killings. He did not specify which weapons are involved.
Meanwhile, Politico sources claim that American aid, which had previously been suspended, may be resumed.
Defense spending will only become a 'conditional stimulus' for the German economy.
The Bundeswehr aims to become the strongest army in Europe, but overall, economists believe this could only conditionally stimulate the German economy. In March, the Bundestag passed a decision allowing for an increase in public debt. With loans, it is planned to invest 400 billion euros in Germany's neglected infrastructure and another 100 billion in climate protection measures. However, the largest expenditures are expected in the defense sector. Here, funding opportunities are virtually limitless. Defense industry leaders assure that increased defense spending will benefit not only defense companies. 'Defense spending is a gigantic economic stimulus program,' said Oliver Derrer, CEO of defense conglomerate Hensoldt, in March 2025. In his opinion, increased investments in the defense sector could give an impetus to an economy that is currently experiencing tough times in Germany. Politicians also hope for a modernization boost. However, before the vote in the Bundestag, economists cooled this excessive optimism. 'Increasing public military spending will indeed give a boost to the German economy, but this impulse will probably be moderate,' wrote Tom Krebs, an economics professor at Mannheim University. He and his colleague Patrick Kaczmarczyk analyzed how additional public spending affects GDP growth. For military spending in Germany, they determined a coefficient of no more than 0.5. This means that every euro spent by the state brings, at best, only 50 cents of additional economic activity. In comparison: investments in infrastructure or education can double or even triple the invested funds. 'From an economic perspective,' notes Krebs, 'the planned militarization of the German economy is a risky bet with low economic returns.' The reason for this is easy to explain. If a tank is built, it does not create any added value for the economy. The German defense industry is currently overwhelmed with orders, but this has its downsides. When supply is limited and demand grows, a lack of competition leads to rising prices. Krebs and Kaczmarczyk note that 'the increase in defense spending contributes less to defense capability, but significantly more to the profitability and dividends of defense conglomerates.' Increasing defense spending may positively influence research and development. This is also recognized in their study by economists from Mannheim University, Krebs and Kaczmarczyk. However, it is necessary to ensure that military research stimulates progress in the civilian economy.
The US Department of Justice and the FBI state that there is no 'Epstein list.'
The US Department of Justice and the FBI have found no evidence that accused sex offender and human trafficker Jeffrey Epstein blackmailed influential figures, maintained a 'client list,' or was murdered. Axios reports this. Investigators released a video (which has no independent confirmation) indicating that no one entered the part of the prison where Epstein was held on the night of his death in 2019. The Trump administration thus officially denied the conspiracy theory regarding Epstein's activities and his death for the first time.
No charges have been brought in the Epstein case. Only Epstein's employee Ghislaine Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence for child trafficking for sexual exploitation. Investigators did not find a 'client list' of Epstein, nor any evidence that could serve as grounds for investigation against third parties. In February, the Department of Justice released part of the files related to Epstein that were already known. The Department of Justice and the FBI stated that further disclosure of materials related to Epstein would not be appropriate or justified. After a quarrel with Donald Trump in early June, Elon Musk posted on X that Trump appears in documents related to the Epstein case. He later deleted this post. In 2019, Trump stated that he 'had not spoken to him for 15 years.' He also said that he banned Epstein from visiting his golf resorts in the early 2000s.
The European Union has officially appointed a special representative for Ukrainian issues.
This position will be held by Swedish Ilva Johansson. Previously, she worked as the European Commissioner for Home Affairs. She has visited Ukraine multiple times and has also toured camps for Ukrainian refugees, awarded the Order of Merit. The special representative for Ukrainian issues in the EU will strengthen coordination between the bloc and Ukraine, represent the interests of our compatriots in Brussels, and be responsible for implementing practical support tools for Ukrainians, including the establishment of Unity Centers. (LB.ua)
News in brief
Russian troops have advanced in the Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions - DeepState.
The replacement of the Ukrainian ambassador to the US may occur as early as next week - simultaneously with government reshuffles, writes the Financial Times.
Former defense ministry officials and former leaders of defense companies are suspected of causing the state a loss of 90 million hryvnias.
Explosions near Zhytomyr due to illegal production of explosives: the police established the cause and announced suspicions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has nominated President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his leadership in sanctioning strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Apple challenges the 'unprecedented' EU fine of 500 million euros and accuses the European Commission of going 'far beyond the law.'
Half of Netflix viewers watch anime.