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#TrumpTariffs

Overview of Trump Tariffs (2025)
During his second presidency, beginning January 2025, President Donald Trump significantly escalated tariffs on imported goods, aiming to protect American industries, reduce the trade deficit, and promote domestic manufacturing. These tariffs, often referred to as the “Liberation Day” tariffs, have sparked global economic debates, legal challenges, and retaliatory measures from trading partners. Below is a concise summary of the key aspects based on available information.

Key Tariff Policies
1. Universal and Reciprocal Tariffs:
• On April 2, 2025, Trump declared a national emergency under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose a 10% baseline tariff on imports from most countries, effective April 5, 2025. Higher “reciprocal” tariffs were applied to countries with large trade deficits with the U.S., effective April 9, 2025.
• The average effective U.S. tariff rate rose from 2.5% at the start of Trump’s second term to 27% due to these measures, before settling at 15.1% after rollbacks as of June 1, 2025.
2. Steel and Aluminum Tariffs:
• On March 12, 2025, tariffs on steel and aluminum imports were set at 25%, expanding on first-term policies. On June 4, 2025, these were doubled to 50% to counter foreign overproduction and protect U.S. industries.
• The U.K. was temporarily exempted from the 50% rate, maintaining a 25% tariff pending a trade deal, with potential changes by July 9, 2025.
• Goods compliant with the USMCA (U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement) are exempt from certain tariffs, though non-compliant goods face 25% tariffs (or 12% if fentanyl/migration-related IEEPA tariffs are lifted).
3. China-Specific Tariffs:
• Tariffs on Chinese imports escalated to 145% in April 2025, prompting China to impose 125% retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods and restrict rare earth exports.
• A May 2025 truce in Geneva reduced U.S. tariffs on China to 30%, with China lowering its tariffs to 10%. A subsequent deal in London (June 2025) maintained a 55% total tariff on Chinese goods (including pre-existing duties) in exchange for China easing rare earth export restrictions for six months and facilitating Chinese student access to U.S. colleges.
4. Fentanyl and Migration-Related Tariffs:
• Tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China were imposed under IEEPA to address fentanyl trafficking and migration, with 25% tariffs on non-USMCA-compliant goods from Canada and Mexico. These were ruled illegal by the U.S. Court of International Trade in May 2025 but remain in effect pending appeal.
5. Other Targeted Tariffs:
• A 100% tariff was proposed on foreign films to protect the U.S. film industry, citing national security and job losses. No final decision has been confirmed.
• A 17% tariff was imposed on Israeli goods, leading to negotiations with Israel offering to remove tariffs on U.S. goods.
• Automobiles, auto parts, and other goods like copper and electronics face specific tariffs, with exemptions for certain products (e.g., semiconductors, pharmaceuticals).

#TrumpVsMusk

When discussing Donald Trump and Elon Musk in terms of crypto, it's important to look at their past statements, actions, and perceived influence, as neither is a direct crypto industry figure, but both have significantly impacted the market with their words.

Donald Trump's Stance on Crypto:

Initial Skepticism/Dislike: Trump's initial stance on cryptocurrencies, particularly Bitcoin, was largely negative during his presidency. He expressed skepticism, stating in 2019 that he was "not a fan" of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, arguing they were "highly volatile" and based on "thin air," and that they "could facilitate unlawful behavior". He also favored the US Dollar's dominance.
Gradual Softening/Acquiescence (Post-Presidency): After leaving office, his tone has softened somewhat. While still prioritizing the dollar, he has acknowledged crypto's growing popularity. More recently, he has even launched NFT collections. He has also stated that if crypto becomes widely adopted, he might be okay with it. His administration did not implement a clear regulatory framework for crypto, leading to continued uncertainty.
Overall: His stance has evolved from outright disapproval to a more pragmatic "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" approach, especially as it gains mainstream traction.
Elon Musk's Influence on Crypto:

Market Mover: Elon Musk has been a highly influential, albeit often volatile, figure in the crypto space, particularly with Dogecoin (DOGE) and Bitcoin (BTC). His tweets alone have often triggered significant price swings for these cryptocurrencies.
Dogecoin Endorsement: He is a prominent supporter of Dogecoin, frequently tweeting about it and even referring to himself as the "Dogefather." His endorsements have often led to large pumps in DOGE's price.
Bitcoin Adoption (and Reversal): Tesla, under Musk's leadership, initially announced it would accept Bitcoin for vehicle purchases in early 2021, causing a price surge. However, just a few months later, Tesla reversed this decision, citing environmental concerns about Bitcoin mining's energy consumption, which led to a market downturn. Tesla later resumed accepting DOGE for merchandise and holds Bitcoin on its balance sheet.
Focus on Utility: Musk has often expressed interest in crypto's potential for payments and reducing transaction costs.
Overall: Musk's influence is characterized by sudden, often impactful, statements that can dramatically affect crypto prices, reflecting a mix of genuine interest in the technology and a flair for market manipulation (whether intentional or not).
Comparison:

Influence Style: Musk's influence is direct and immediate, often through single tweets causing rapid price movements. Trump's influence has been more policy-oriented during his presidency and has evolved more slowly post-presidency.
Focus: Musk has a more pronounced interest in Dogecoin and payment utility, though his Bitcoin stance has fluctuated. Trump's primary concern has been the US Dollar's supremacy, with a more recent, reluctant acceptance of crypto's existence.
Market Impact: Both have demonstrated the power to move markets, but Musk's impact is generally seen as more unpredictable and driven by personal commentary, while Trump's impact has been tied more to potential regulatory or economic policy implications.

#CryptoSecurity101

Crypto security is paramount because, unlike traditional banking, you are often your own bank. If your crypto is stolen, it's usually unrecoverable. "Crypto Security 101" focuses on the fundamental practices to protect your digital assets.

Here are the key aspects:

Understand and Secure Your Private Keys / Seed Phrase:

The Golden Rule: Your private keys (or the seed phrase that generates them) are the absolute core of your crypto security. Whoever has them controls your funds.
Self-Custody: For decentralized exchanges (DEXs), you always maintain your private keys. For centralized exchanges (CEXs), the exchange holds them (which is a centralization risk).
Never Share: Never share your seed phrase or private keys with anyone, ever. No legitimate service, exchange, or support person will ever ask for them.
Offline Storage: Write down your seed phrase on paper and store it in multiple secure, offline locations (e.g., a fireproof safe, a secure bank vault). Do NOT store it digitally (e.g., in a cloud drive, email, screenshot) where it can be hacked.
Hardware Wallets (Cold Storage): These are physical devices designed to securely store your private keys offline. They are considered one of the safest ways to hold cryptocurrency for long-term storage or significant amounts. Your keys never leave the device.
Exchange Security (for CEXs):

Strong, Unique Passwords: Use complex, unique passwords for every crypto exchange account. Never reuse passwords.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Always enable 2FA on your exchange accounts. Authenticator apps (like Google Authenticator or Authy) are generally more secure than SMS-based 2FA, which can be vulnerable to SIM swap attacks.
Whitelisting Withdrawals: Enable withdrawal address whitelisting on your exchange. This feature restricts withdrawals to only pre-approved addresses, adding an extra layer of security.
Withdraw to Your Wallet: For larger amounts, withdraw your crypto from the exchange to your personal, self-custodied wallet (preferably a hardware wallet) as soon as possible. Exchanges, while convenient, are targets for hackers.
Beware of Scams and Phishing:

Phishing: Be extremely wary of emails, messages, or websites that look like legitimate crypto platforms but are designed to steal your login credentials or private keys. Always double-check URLs.
Fake Giveaways/Airdrops: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Avoid clicking links promising free crypto in exchange for sending a small amount or connecting your wallet.
Impersonation: Scammers often impersonate support staff, project teams, or celebrities on social media. Always verify identity through official channels.
Rug Pulls: Understand what rug pulls are and how to avoid them by doing thorough research.
Software and Device Security:

Keep Software Updated: Regularly update your operating system, web browser, and crypto-related software (e.g., wallet apps) to patch security vulnerabilities.
Antivirus/Anti-Malware: Use reputable antivirus and anti-malware software on your devices.
Public Wi-Fi: Avoid conducting crypto transactions or accessing sensitive accounts on unsecured public Wi-Fi networks.
Dedicated Device: Consider using a dedicated device (e.g., an old smartphone or laptop) solely for crypto transactions, with minimal other apps or Browse.
Due Diligence (DYOR):

Before interacting with any new project, smart contract, or platform (especially on DEXs), always Do Your Own Research (DYOR). Check audits, team transparency, community sentiment, and code. This helps you avoid malicious smart contracts or scam projects.
By diligently following these basic security practices, you can significantly reduce your risk in the cryptocurrency space.