Europe weighs in on Trade War over Greenland
President Trump stated in a Truth Social post that he would impose tariffs on several European nations if a deal for the US to purchase Greenland is not reached, according to The New York Times. These tariffs are set to begin at 10 percent in February and rise to 25 percent by June. This ultimatum leaves Europe with limited room to negotiate and few ways to counter the president without risking their security, as the continent remains heavily reliant on US support through NATO and in Russia’s war with Ukraine. Jacob Funk Kirkegaard, a senior fellow at Bruegel research institute in Brussels, told The New York Times, “We either fight a trade war, or we’re in a real war.”
Iran’s leader labeled Trump a “criminal”
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, branded Trump a “criminal” for supporting protesters in Iran on Saturday, Jan. 17, according to AP News. Khamenei also placed the blame on demonstrators for causing thousands of deaths in a speech broadcast by state television. In the speech, he describes the protesters as “foot soldiers” of the US, as they have destroyed mosques and educational centers. Trump responded via an interview Saturday, Jan. 17, with Politico, “The man is a sick man who should run his country properly.”
The US launches another retaliatory strike in Syria
The U.S. launched another retaliatory strike in Syria on Friday, Jan. 16, resulting in the death of an Al-Qaeda-affiliated leader. According to AP News, this individual had direct ties to the Islamic State member responsible for last month’s ambush that killed two US soldiers and one American civilian interpreter. Also killed in the strike against northwest Syria was Bilal Hasan al-Jasim, who US Central Command claimed was “an experienced terrorist leader who plotted attacks and was directly connected” to the Dec. 13 attack, according to AP News.
