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POLITICS

Tariff for Tat

The tariff hammer has dropped. 

After a month-long pause, President Trump imposed 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico yesterday and raised last month’s tariff on Chinese goods from 10% to 20%. 

Canada and China retaliated swiftly. China imposed a 10-15% tariff on U.S. agricultural imports, and Canada levied a 25% tax on tens of billions of dollars’ worth of American goods. Mexico promised to respond with both “tariff and non-tariff measures” on Sunday. 

The stock market didn’t take the news lightly; all three major indexes dropped as investors braced for rising prices and falling consumer demand. Automakers could be hit hardest as car parts currently cross borders multiple times during the manufacturing process. Meanwhile, Target’s CEO warned shoppers to brace for higher prices—specifically on produce and alcohol—as soon as this week.

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
The governments of the world have different things on their agenda than God’s kingdom. As global powers maneuver to have their way, work to keep in step with the priorities of your heavenly home. 

“What does the LORD your God ask of you except to fear the LORD your God by walking in all his ways, to love him, and to worship the LORD your God with all your heart and all your soul? Keep the LORD’s commands and statutes I am giving you today, for your own good.” 
Deuteronomy 10:12–13 (CSB) (read full passage)

WORLD

Ukrainian Update

The U.S. and Ukraine are working through Friday’s Oval Office clash.

Over the weekend, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy described a deal ending its war with Russia as being “still very, very far away.” In response, the White House announced that it’s “pausing and reviewing” Ukrainian aid until the ally proves it’s “committed” to peace. 

Zelenskyy sought to prove his dedication yesterday, outlining the first stages of a ceasefire with Russia: the “release of prisoners and truce in the sky” and the sea “if Russia will do the same,” and saying he’s “ready” to sign Friday’s abandoned rare-earth mineral deal with the U.S. “as soon as possible.” 

Meanwhile, the E.U. took steps to open its wallet with an $840B boost to the bloc’s future defense budget, empowering member states to “massively step up their support to Ukraine.”

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
When peace feels far away, remember that the story is not over. The righteousness, justice, and light of the Lord will prevail. Meanwhile, seek peace in your corner of the world and trust God with the rest.
 
“If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone… Do not avenge yourselves… because it is written: ‘Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay,’ says the Lord… Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.” 
Romans 12:18–21 (CSB) (read full passage)

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POLITICS

(Not the) State of the Union

President Trump gave his second administration’s first progress report last night. 

In an address to a joint session of Congress (not an official State of the Union address since Trump hasn’t been in office a full year), the Commander-in-Chief spoke for over 140 minutes (a record) on a swath of topics from the busy first 43 days of his second term: the economy and tariffs, federal downsizing, balancing the budget, strengthening border security, and much more.

There was lots of clapping… from half the room. The other half was unimpressed. 

Democrats held signs that read “False,” “Musk steals,” and “Save Medicaid.” Representative Al Green (D-TX) was escorted out in the opening minutes of Trump’s speech for heckling, and other Democrats walked out during the address. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) delivered the rebuttal, outlining how Democratic lawmakers plan to address Trump-admin policies.

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Verse to consider whether you think your performance deserves a gold star or you didn’t check a single thing off your to-do list yesterday… “Satisfy us in the morning with your faithful love so that we may shout with joy and be glad all our days…. Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us; establish for us the work of our hands—establish the work of our hands!” 
Psalm 90:14, 17 (CSB) (read full passage)

DOGE.gov got its third weekly update. The federal cost-cutting effort now claims $105B in total savings, up from $65B last week, but is facing criticism for trimming down the verifiable savings on its “Wall of Receipts” from $16B to $9B. Meanwhile, the Pentagon says its initial collab with DOGE found $80M in wasteful spending.
 

President Trump’s cabinet is nearly built. The Senate voted along party lines Monday to confirm one of the final cabinet nominees: Republican donor Linda McMahon as education secretary. McMahon—who headed the Small Business Administration during Trump’s first admin—announced a “final mission” to end “bureaucratic bloat” at the DOE and promised to transfer education oversight to state governments.
 

Pope Francis’s health continues to waver after suffering two episodes of “acute respiratory insufficiency” Monday, which led to putting him on a non-invasive ventilator. The pontiff—who has remained “alert and cooperative” despite recent setbacks—was taken off the ventilator Tuesday and is undergoing respiratory therapy as he battles a complex respiratory condition. His doctors said his prognosis remains “guarded.”
 

Israel’s ceasefire with Hamas is in limbo again. After phase two’s permanent ceasefire negotiations saw little progress last week, the U.S. reportedly proposed extending phase one through Ramadan and Passover (April 20), allowing for more hostage releases. Israel agreed, then halted aid into Gaza, promising “additional consequences” if Hamas rejected the proposal; Hamas accused Israel of sabotaging the existing agreement.
 

The “Man with the Golden Arm” has died at age 88. James Harrison was Australia’s most prolific blood donor, credited with saving 2.4 million babies. Harrison’s plasma contained a rare antibody called anti-D, used to treat a potentially fatal disease in unborn babies. The donor gave blood 1,173 times—every two weeks from 1954 to 2018. (Read his story.)

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