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President Donald Trump, on the 26th, announced plans to impose a 25% tariff on European imports, including automobiles, criticizing the European Union (EU) as an organization that was created to “screw” the United States. In his first Cabinet meeting of his second term, Trump was asked about the proposed tariffs and confirmed, “We’ve made a decision,” adding, “It will be 25%, generally speaking,” and that it would apply to automobiles and other goods.

Currently, the U.S. imposes a 2.5% tariff on EU passenger cars, while the EU applies a 10% tariff on U.S. cars. Additionally, President Trump pointed out that the value-added tax (VAT) in Europe, which is at least 17.5%, acts similarly to a tariff. He criticized the EU, claiming, “Europe really took advantage of (the US)” by not accepting American cars and agricultural products. He also noted the U.S. trade deficit with the EU, estimating it at $300 billion ($235.6 billion according to U.S. statistics last year), calling the EU an organization formed to “rip off the US.”

Trump’s remarks reflect a critical stance towards the EU, which has long enjoyed economic support from the U.S. following World War II. The President’s comments position the EU as a player that has benefited unfairly from U.S. backing. He had previously supported Brexit during his first term, further signalling his opposition to European integration efforts.

In addition to the tariff plans, Trump expressed reluctance to provide security guarantees for Ukraine, stating, “I will not provide security guarantees,” and suggested Europe should handle that responsibility. He also remarked that Britain and France had expressed willingness to provide peacekeeping forces in Ukraine. On the topic of Ukraine joining NATO, Trump dismissed the possibility, attributing the Russian invasion to Ukraine’s attempts to join the alliance.

Trump’s upcoming meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was also discussed, where they are expected to sign a minerals agreement. Trump referred to the agreement as “a kind of automatic security guarantee” for the U.S., emphasizing that U.S. interests would be protected. Meanwhile, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaya Kallas, had planned to meet with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, but the meeting was cancelled, with “schedule coordination issues” cited as the reason, though the atmosphere between the U.S. and Europe, influenced by Trump’s pro-Russian stance, may have played a role.

In other trade matters, Trump announced that the 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada, previously suspended, would begin on April 2. The tariffs had been delayed a month after Mexico and Canada agreed to cooperate on strengthening border security to curb illegal immigration and drugs.

Regarding Taiwan, Trump avoided taking a clear stance on whether he would prevent China from forcibly occupying Taiwan, saying, “I will absolutely not comment.” This contrasts with his predecessor, President Joe Biden, who repeatedly vowed to defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion. Trump reflected on his past relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping, stating that he hoped for Chinese investment in the U.S. while also emphasizing that China would not be allowed to exploit the U.S.

The New York Times, Reuters, and other news agencies reported on the 26th that the Republican Party is pushing for a plan in the federal Congress to repeal California’s 2035 zero-emission passenger vehicle sales mandate. California has decided to stop selling gasoline-only vehicles by 2035, and the Biden administration has approved the plan. The Trump administration’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported the Biden administration’s measures to Congress.

The Republican Party is preparing to use the Congressional Review Act enacted in 1996 to repeal California’s eco-friendly car policy. The Congressional Review Act allows a majority vote to overturn new regulations. However, since California’s gasoline vehicle ban is not a federal regulation, legal controversy is expected when applying the Congressional Review Act.

The New York Times reported that California has the most serious air pollution problem in the United States, so it is exempted from the relevant law under the Clean Air Act enacted in 1970, allowing it to impose stronger regulations than other states. Previously, California mandated that the percentage of zero-emission vehicles among new cars be increased to 35% by 2026 and 68% by 2030, and that only 100% zero-emission vehicles be sold by 2025.

The Biden administration approved California’s policy in December of last year, at the end of its term. The Republican Party’s targeting of California’s electric vehicle policy is due to its judgment that the state’s economy is large and that it is influencing other states. Eleven states in the U.S. have followed California’s lead and decided to ban the sale of gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035, which would account for half of the U.S. auto market, the New York Times reported.

President Donald Trump pledged during his last presidential campaign to scrap the Biden administration’s electric vehicle support policy and allow oil and gas drilling, and he has taken steps to do so since taking office.

As egg prices soared in the United States due to the spread of avian influenza, the Donald Trump administration has laid off staff responsible for responding to the outbreak as part of a larger government restructuring, Politico reported on the 16th. According to the report, 25% of the staff at the National Animal Health Laboratory Network Program Office, which operates under the Department of Agriculture, were laid off. This office coordinates the work of 58 laboratories across the country that respond to avian influenza. Despite having only 14 employees, the office plays a vital role in preventing the spread of animal diseases.

The recent layoffs have caused some research institutes within the network to notify their teams that the response to avian influenza testing and other related matters will be delayed. Since the outbreak of avian influenza in the United States in 2022, approximately 148 million egg-laying poultry, including chickens and ducks, have been culled. The result has been a significant increase in egg prices, placing added pressure on the Trump administration’s promise to control inflation, particularly about consumer goods like eggs.

According to the U.S. Labor Department’s consumer price statistics, the average retail price of a 12-pack of Grade A large eggs surged by 15.2% in January, reaching $4.95. This marks a 53% increase from the previous year. In response to the egg price hike, Kevin Hassett, the director of the White House National Economic Council (NEC), said in an interview with CBS that he and Secretary of Agriculture Brooklyn planned to submit a proposal to President Trump next week to address the ongoing avian influenza issue.

Hassett criticized the previous Joe Biden administration for focusing mainly on culling the affected poultry, whereas the Trump administration advocated for implementing biosecurity measures and using drugs to control the disease. He remarked, “Biden’s plan was to just cull the chickens, and they spent billions of dollars just randomly culling chickens around where they found sick chickens.”

Recently, there has been mounting criticism of the Trump administration for pushing ahead with restructuring government agencies too hastily, which includes reducing the number of federal employees in essential roles such as nuclear weapons supervisors and others crucial to national security.

President Donald Trump reiterated on the 16th that the U.S. constitutional right of “birthright citizenship” does not apply to immigrants who are in the country illegally. On that day, President Trump wrote on his social media platform, TruthSocial, stating, “The 14th Amendment to the U.S. citizenship has absolutely nothing to do with today’s ‘gate crashers’ or illegal immigrants who have broken the law and entered our country.” He emphasized that “The 14th Amendment was only intended to grant citizenship to former slaves.”

The logic behind this statement is that the 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, was designed to grant citizenship to freed black slaves, five years after former President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. According to President Trump, this amendment was not intended to apply to illegal immigrants. He also remarked, “The founding fathers of this country are probably sighing in their graves at the thought of their country being taken away from them,” adding, “No country in the world has ever done this.”

On the day of his inauguration, January 20th, President Trump signed an executive order restricting existing birthright citizenship. The order stipulates that if the mother is not legally residing in the United States and the father is not a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident, citizenship will not be automatically granted, even if the child is born on U.S. soil.

However, there have been a series of constitutional lawsuits filed against this policy, and some federal courts have ruled that it is unconstitutional. These rulings have put the brakes on President Trump’s policy, meaning the controversy may ultimately reach the Supreme Court. Acknowledging the ongoing legal battle, President Trump wrote, “Our lawyers and judges must be strong and protect America.”

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is urging the New York State Legislature to provide an additional $33 billion, citing a continued funding shortage for maintaining and improving New York City’s public transportation system despite the recent implementation of the Manhattan congestion charge. At a New York State Legislature transportation budget hearing held on the 7th, MTA Chairman Jano Lieber stated, “We need a five-year program to improve aging public transportation and expand infrastructure through 2029. This requires $68 billion in funding.”

Lieber went on to explain that while the MTA plans to secure $15 billion from the toll revenue generated by the Manhattan congestion charge, this amount alone will not suffice. “We still need at least $33 billion more for the five-year capital investment program, and it is up to the governor and the Legislature to find a way to fill that gap,” he said.

State lawmakers, however, raised concerns about the MTA’s efforts to address intentional toll non-payment, which has been a significant issue. The MTA loses hundreds of millions of dollars annually due to this problem. In response, Lieber defended the MTA’s position, asserting that, “Just as the state supports education and Medicaid, government investment in the public transportation system should be considered by the same standards.”

The new budget for New York state must be processed by the state legislature by April 1, but it remains unclear how the budget will provide additional support for the MTA’s needs.

Meanwhile, the MTA reports that the Manhattan congestion charge, which has been in effect for a month, is showing positive results. The number of vehicles entering south of 60th Street has decreased by 1.2 million from the 5th to the 31st of January, compared to the same period last year. However, there is still a potential hurdle: former President Donald Trump can block the implementation of the congestion charge, leaving the future of the initiative uncertain.

Since the congestion tax on vehicles entering south of 60th Street in Manhattan began on the 5th of last month, the parking shortage in the area north of 60th Street in Manhattan has been worsening. Attention is now focused on the results of the New York City Council’s push for a ‘residential parking permit.’ The related ordinance (Int. 0674), proposed last year by New York City Council Member Carmen de la Rosa (Democratic, 10th District, Manhattan), limits some of the free street parking spaces in the area north of 60th Street to priority parking spaces for residents.

Under the proposal, 80% of the free street parking spaces will be designated as priority parking for residents of the area, and only the remaining 20% will be available for non-residents. Non-residents will also be limited to a short-term parking period of 90 minutes. However, this plan excludes streets located within office and commercial districts. The ‘resident parking permits’ would require residency verification and a registration fee.

Council Member de la Rosa explained, “Since the implementation of the Manhattan congestion tax, we have seen a noticeable increase in cars with out-of-state license plates from New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, etc., occupying the free street parking spaces north of 60th Street in Manhattan.” She further added, “As a result, local residents are spending a lot of time on the streets because they cannot find parking spaces.” The parking difficulties in areas north of 60th Street, especially in de la Rosa’s districts of Inwood and Washington Heights, have worsened, and residents’ complaints have grown due to the influx of out-of-state drivers who want to avoid paying the congestion tax.

For this ordinance to be implemented, it must pass the City Council plenary session, and a new New York State law must also be enacted. According to de la Rosa, as of the 7th, there are now members of the New York State Senate and Assembly who support the ordinance. Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, who also supports the proposal, emphasized that “In New York State, ‘resident parking permits’ are already in effect in Buffalo, Albany, and New Rochelle,” adding, “New York City should be next. Especially, ‘resident parking permits’ are an urgent issue for the northern part of Manhattan, where parking is severe due to the implementation of the congestion tax.”

Council Member de la Rosa further reassured that the fee for the resident parking permit would be affordable, ensuring it would not be a burden to workers. She also mentioned that the goal is to launch a pilot program later this year.

The Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new non-narcotic painkiller, marking a significant milestone in the effort to address the opioid crisis. This is the first approval of a new type of painkiller in the United States in 20 years. The drug, called Journavx (ingredient name: suzetrizine), developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, was approved on January 30th as a treatment for moderate to severe acute pain resulting from injury, surgery, disease, trauma, or painful medical procedures.

Journavx works by blocking pain signals at their source before they reach the brain, a method that sets it apart from opioids. Unlike opioids, which stimulate the brain’s reward centre and can lead to addiction, Journavx does not have the same addictive properties. This innovative approach is seen as a potential game-changer in the treatment of pain, as it offers an alternative to the addictive nature of opioid-based medications.

The approval of this new drug comes at a crucial time, as the opioid epidemic continues to affect millions in the U.S. Nearly 10% of acute pain patients who are initially treated with opioids end up using them for long periods, and about 85,000 people develop opioid use disorders, including addiction or abuse, each year. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, between 1999 and 2020, there were 564,000 deaths in the U.S. linked to opioid overdoses. The introduction of a non-narcotic alternative like Journavx is seen as a positive step in reducing the reliance on opioids and combating this public health crisis.

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) is setting up a dedicated department aimed at addressing minor crimes occurring within the subway system. Commissioner Jessica Tisch unveiled this plan during her 2025 New Year’s Address on January 30th, highlighting her commitment to making New York City a safer place for all. The new division, called the “Quality of Life Division,” will focus on tackling the growing issue of subway-related crime, which has become one of the city’s biggest challenges in recent months.

The division’s primary goals include cracking down on smoking, drinking, occupying multiple seats, coercive begging, illegal street vendors, urinating in public, and the abandonment of vehicles within subway areas. As part of its transparency efforts, the NYPD plans to regularly release statistics related to the division’s activities. Commissioner Tisch emphasized that the subway and platforms should not serve as shelters for the homeless or makeshift mental health facilities. She stressed the NYPD’s duty to ensure public transportation, such as the subway, remains safe for commuters, noting that many individuals who commit violent crimes on public transit have long histories of misdemeanour offenses.

A criminologist from John Jay College weighed in on the new policy, suggesting that it mirrors a “broken window” approach aimed at addressing minor violations that could potentially lead to more serious crimes. However, they cautioned that stop-and-search tactics and crackdowns on individuals who have not been suspected of crimes should be avoided. Commissioner Tisch’s approach to combating minor infractions aims to prevent escalation into more significant issues.

To further improve safety on the subway system, Commissioner Tisch announced that 200 additional police officers will be deployed to subway stations with high crime rates. Additionally, two police officers will be assigned to each of the 150-night trains operating in the city. While the NYPD will not directly engage in federal enforcement of immigration law violations, it will assist in the apprehension of immigrants who have committed crimes. These initiatives aim to create a safer environment for all subway passengers while addressing issues related to minor criminal activity.

Trump’s second-term nominee for Secretary of Defence, Pete Hegseth, cleared the first hurdle for Senate confirmation on the 23rd. Despite facing potential disqualification due to past allegations of sexual misconduct and drinking problems, Hegseth appears to have overcome this crisis, as the Republican Party’s votes have been solidified. The Senate passed the motion to end debate on his nomination by a vote of 51 to 49 during the full session that day.

The Senate currently consists of 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats, with two Republicans joining the Democrats in voting against the nomination. Moderates Rep. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Rep. Susan Collins (Maine) were among those who opposed Hegseth’s nomination. Prior to the vote, Rep. Murkowski posted on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Character is the most important quality required of the Secretary of Defence, and the nomination of Hegseth to this position raises significant concerns that cannot be ignored,” expressing her opposition.

With only two Republicans defecting in the procedural vote, only a formal vote remains for Hegseth’s confirmation. The New York Times and other U.S. media outlets predict that Hegseth will be confirmed unless additional defections occur during the vote, which is expected to take place in the afternoon of the 24th. Republican Senator Roger Wicker (Mississippi), who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, has praised Hegseth as a strong candidate, noting that he is not bound by the status quo and is open to new ideas, according to The Hill, a congressional media outlet.

The third large-scale wildfire this month in Los Angeles, the largest city in the western United States, is spreading for the second day on the 23rd, driven by strong winds. According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the “Hughes Wildfire” that broke out near Lake Castaic in northern LA County at 10:53 a.m. the previous day had spread to 1,176 acres (41.2 km²) by 10:34 a.m. today. In just one day, the fire burned an area nearly 10 times the size of Yeouido (4.5 km²).

Hundreds of firefighters are working tirelessly to combat the blaze, but as of now, the fire is only 14% contained. Authorities have issued evacuation orders for 31,000 residents near the fire area and have warned another 23,000 people who are at risk to prepare to evacuate. According to CNN and others, some of the county jail facilities are in the evacuation zone, and about 470 inmates have been relocated to other facilities. Authorities have stated that there have been no reports of damage to buildings or any casualties or injuries from the fire.

Meanwhile, another wildfire, known as the Sepulveda fire, broke out near the Bel-Air area close to the Getty Museum after midnight, putting residents on high alert. Authorities reported that about 250 firefighters responded quickly, and the fire was extinguished after burning 0.16 km². The previous day, wind gusts of up to 67 km/h blew across the northwest of LA, fanning the flames. The National Weather Service (NWS) has forecasted that extremely dry and windy weather will persist until the 24th. Afterward, fire departments and residents are hopeful for the long-awaited rain, expected over the weekend.

According to the NWS, 12.7 to 19.1 mm of rain is expected in the LA area on the weekend of the 25th and 26th. While not a large amount, this rain could be a much-needed relief for the area, which has been suffering from drought for over three months. However, experts have warned that even this modest amount of rain could trigger landslides, and debris flows in the vulnerable fire zones, so authorities are preparing for potential risks.

In addition, two large wildfires have been ongoing in LA since the 7th. The Palisades wildfire on the west coast has burned 94.9 km², and the Eaton wildfire on the eastern inland has consumed 56.7 km². As of today, the suppression rates for these fires are 72% and 95%, respectively. Though strong winds continue to affect these fires, authorities report that they are no longer spreading, thanks to defence lines set up by firefighters. Tragically, these two fires have claimed at least 28 lives, and an estimated 16,000 buildings have been destroyed.

According to Reuters and other news outlets, disaster management service provider KCC has estimated that the insured losses from these fires could amount to approximately $28 billion (around 40.2 trillion won). In response to the ongoing crisis, the California State Assembly passed a bill on the same day to allocate $2.5 billion (around 3.6 trillion won) from the state budget to support wildfire victims and assist in the restoration of local infrastructure.