US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to suspend all foreign aid programs for 90 days, during which time it will be reviewed to see if they meet the country’s policy objectives. However, it is not entirely clear how much aid will be cut by this executive order because Congress has already approved funding for many programs, which should be allocated if the funds are not wasted. The executive order signed by Trump states that foreign aid practices are not consistent with American interests and in many cases are contrary to American values. Mr. Trump has announced that no more foreign aid from the United States will be given in a manner that is not fully consistent with the foreign policy of the President of the United States. Last week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at his confirmation hearing that every dollar we spend, every program we fund and every policy we implement, is justified. It should be answered by three simple questions: Does this aid make America safer? Does it make America stronger? Does this aid make America more prosperous?
On the other hand, United States President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he is considering imposing a 10 percent tariff on imports from China, which could take effect before February 1. It has been described as Trump’s latest trade attack against China, the world’s second-largest economy after the United States and Washington’s biggest geopolitical rival. Trump had indicated during his election campaign that he would impose new tariffs on trade with Europe, Canada and China. Trump has threatened to impose tariffs of up to 60 percent on Chinese goods, which is likely to intensify the trade war. The proposed tariffs were intended to harm Chinese exports in order to advance American interests in their trade relationship. Trump’s threats so far have at least had the opposite effect. China’s overall exports, including to the United States, have increased in recent months, so why is Trump threatening China with tariffs? How are Chinese exports still growing? And what’s next in their trade conflict?