In-Q-Tel, the CIA's venture capital arm, reaches 800th investment4/3/25

This week, In-Q-Tel released details on its massive portfolio, including the organization’s latest investment focuses. The company called the 800th investment milestone a “monumental achievement” for the VC firm.

“For 26 years, IQThas been a critical bridge, connecting the cutting-edge capabilities of the private sector with the ever-evolving needs of our intelligence and defense communities,” the company said in a statement.

In-Q-Tel is a CIA-chartered, private, nonprofit, venture capital fundthat invests in emerging information, cybersecurity and intelligence technology for use by U.S. intelligence personnel.

The organization receives some federal funding through Congress.(they have 800 companies, why is Congress funding them anything?)

The company’s latest investment numbers are a marked increase fromeight years ago, when the group announcedit had passed 325 investments. While most of In-Q-Tel’s investments are public,hundreds are kept secret due to national security concerns.

Notable investments in In-Q-Tel’s latest round include Cerabyte, a German companythat builds ceramic-based storage systems designed to enhance data storage sustainability.

The company is alsoinvesting in GetReal Security, a California-based firmdeveloping anti-AI screening systemsthat help detect deepfakes and other deceptive methods.

In-Q-Tel said it believes its investments in emerging technologies improve U.S. innovationin aerospace, defense and cybersecurity. Those investments, In-Q-Tel’s leadership said, are even more necessary in a world where America’s rivals are catching up.

“The United States needs to stay at the cutting edge of those technologies in order to remain the preeminent economic and security power,” In-Q-TelPresident and CEO Steve Bowshertold Threat Status last year.

(Call to Dig into In-Q-Tel companies and leaders. Announcing this seems strange, and normalizing the CIA’s weird ability to buy or go into joint ventures with companies. Who are the leaders and Board Members?)

https://archive.is/Esz4y

9UeNLFmD_x96.jpg

Bill Ackman

XPTIUaEy_bigger.jpg

@BillAckman

The country is 100% behind the president on fixing a global system of tariffs that has disadvantaged the country. But, business is a confidence game and confidence depends on trust.

==President

@realDonaldTrump

has elevated the tariff issue to the most important geopolitical issue in the world, and he has gotten everyone’s attention. So far, so good.==

And yes, other nations have taken advantage of the U.S. by protecting their home industries at the expense of millions of our jobs and economic growth in our country.

But, by placing massive and disproportionate tariffs on our friends and our enemies alike and thereby launching a global economic war against the whole world at once, we are in the process of destroying confidence in our country as a trading partner, as a place to do business, and as a market to invest capital.

The president has an opportunity to call a 90-day time out, negotiate and resolve unfair asymmetric tariff deals, and induce trillions of dollars of new investment in our country.

If, on the other hand, on April 9th we launch economic nuclear war on every country in the world, business investment will grind to a halt, consumers will close their wallets and pocket books, and we will severely damage our reputation with the rest of the world that will take years and potentially decades to rehabilitate.

What CEO and what board of directors will be comfortable making large,

long-term, economic commitments in our country in the middle of an economic nuclear war?

I don’t know of one who will do so.

When markets crash, new investment stops, consumers stop spending money, and businesses have no choice but to curtail investment and fire workers.

And it is not just the big companies that will suffer. Small and medium size businesses and entrepreneurs will experience much greater pain. Almost no business can pass through an overnight massive increase in costs to their customers. And that’s true even if they have no debt, and, unfortunately, there is a massive amount of leverage in the system.

Business is a confidence game. The president is losing the confidence of business leaders around the globe. The consequences for our country and the millions of our citizens who have supported the president — in particular low-income consumers who are already under a huge amount of economic stress — are going to be severely negative. This is not what we voted for.

The President has an opportunity on Monday to call a time out and have the time to execute on fixing an unfair tariff system.

Alternatively, we are heading for a self-induced, economic nuclear winter, and we should start hunkering down.

May cooler heads prevail.(that is not WS)

Last edited

5:15 PM · Apr 6, 2025

·

9.5M

Views

Wall street got together to find someone Trump may listen to, so it’s Akman Afterall WS knows so much more than Trump. WS is threatening to destroy Trump’s plan.==

https://x.com/BillAckman/status/1908992002366292286

7 Apr, 2025 10:35

Russia bans ‘revanchist’ Japanese association

The Northern Territories Issue Association is =promoting expansion at the expense of Russia’s Kuril Islands, the authorities have said==

The Office of the Russian Prosecutor Generalhas designated a Japanese association as ‘undesirable’ in the country, claiming it is involved inpropaganda campaignsthat promote revanchism with regard to Russia’s Kuril Islands.

The two countries never formally concluded a peace treaty after World War II,due to Japan’s claim to four islands which the Soviet Union captured during the war.

According to the authorities, the Northern Territories Issue Association has beenadvocating for Japan’s “cartographic expansion”at the expense of Kunashir, Shikotan, Iturup,and the islands of the Lesser Kuril chain– all of which are part of Russia. The organization is “involved in developing strategies forreturning them under Japan’s sovereignty,” the prosecutor’s office said in a statement on Monday.

The Russian authorities alsoaccused the associationof “sponsoring Japan’s nationwide movement to reclaim” the Kuril Islands (known in Japan as the Northern Territories), claiming its members are exploiting the issue and publicly refusing to recognize Russian jurisdiction over the islands.

Moscow and Tokyo havemade little progress in reaching a final peace treaty over the last eight decades. In theSan Francisco Treaty of 1951, Japan renounced its claims to the Kurils,butlater arguedthat the islands in question are not part of the archipelago. Moscow maintains that the four islands are an integral part of Russian territory.

In Russia,being labeled ‘undesirable’ prohibits organizations from operating in the country and imposes legal consequenceson residents and companies for financial or other interactions with them. The Russian Justice Ministry currently lists over 200, including major Western influence groups such as George Soros’ Open Society Foundations, the US-based German Marshall Fund, and the pro-NATO Atlantic Council.

(Japan will never be an empire again. 80 years fighting over something the gave up by treaty in 1951, wow)

https://www.rt.com/russia/615325-japan-russia-kuril-islands-undesirable/

These Creatures have Officially Lost Their MindsDon’t they have work to do in Congress?

7 Apr, 2025 07:06

US Democrat calls for impeachment of ‘Goliath’ Trump

The US president has too much power and must be taken down, Rep. Al Green has said

US Congressman Al Green has vowed to begin impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trumpwithin 30 days, telling protesters in Washington that Trump “does not deserve” to hold office.

Green made the remarks on Saturday during the ‘Hands Off!’ rally which protested against the policies of Trump and his close ally Elon Musk. Protestors accused the duo of an “illegal power grab” and demanded “an end to the billionaire takeover and rampant corruption” and a repeal of government policies to slash federal funding for social programs.

Speaking to protesters, Green claimed that Trump “does not deserve to be the president of the United States of America.” The Democrat went on to accuse the US leader of excessive control over the military, the Justice Department, and Congress. (He is the CiC and President over military and Justice department because they are in the Executive Branch.)

“We need a Senate that will convict him this time… I understand that he is a Goliath… but for every Goliath, there is a David,” the representative from Texas added. “And I want you to know, Mr. President, this David is going to bring articles of impeachment against you within the next 30 days. I’m coming for you.”

Green did not specify the charges or conduct that would be included in his impeachment resolution. In addition, Trump is highly unlikely to be removed from office through impeachment, given that the Republicans control both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Trump has been impeached twice before. In 2019, the House charged him with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress over allegations that he pressured Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky to dig up political dirt on his rival, Joe Biden. In 2021, he was impeached again for incitement of insurrection during riots at Capitol Hill. The Senate acquitted him both times.

It is not the first time Green has said he wants to impeach Trump during his second term. In February, he signaled he would explore the option after the US president proposed that the US “take over” Gaza and develop the enclave into the “Riviera of the Middle East” after Palestinians are resettled elsewhere.

(Al Green is too old and too demented to be in Congress. What scam did Trump stop that took Green’s kickbacks? Where’s his cane?)

https://www.rt.com/news/615323-us-democrat-impeachment-trump/

6 Apr, 2025 17:54

Russian icon breaks all-time NHL record

Alexander Ovechkin has scored 895 goals, beating hockey legend Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record

Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals looks on during the first period against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on April 6, 2025 in Elmont, New York.

Russia’s Alexander Ovechkin reached another NHL milestone on Sunday when he scored his 895 career goal, beating the record set by Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky – a feat once thought to be untouchable.

The Washington Capitals forward became the NHL’s all-time greatest scorerin the second period of an away game against the New York Islanders on Sunday.

The 39-year-old Russian scored against his fellow countryman, goalie Ilya Sorokin– the first time Ovechkin has scored against him. The match was briefly delayed afterwards to honor the new record-holder.

During the ceremony that followed, Ovechkin thanked his teammates, coaches, and fans, saying hockey is a “team sport.”

“Thank you so much, I love you so much,” he said, adding that he would “not be standing here” without their support. He also jokingly thanked Sorokin for “letting [him] score.”

“We did it, boys, we did it!”

Ovechkin is a three-time world champion with the Russian national team and took home the 2018 Stanley Cup with the Washington Capitals, which he has spent his entire NHL career with. Gretzky, considered the greatest hockey player of all time, needed 1,487 games to tally 894 goals.Ovechkin was able to match him in his 1,486th game and to surpass him in the next one.

(Amazing and he’s on a U.S. team.)

https://www.rt.com/sport/615309-russian-icon-beats-nhl-record/

Russians must have loved watching this. Remember when the peace deal is done, Putin talked to Trump about having hockey games between Russia and the U.S. That will competitive and fun.

>>22878013

NHL

@NHL

ALEX OVECHKIN IS THE GREATEST GOALSCORER IN NHL HISTORY! 🚨🚨🚨 #Gr8ness

1:49 PM · Apr 6, 2025

·3.5M

Views

https://x.com/NHL/status/1908940174458831336

>>22878023

This is an amazing move, greatness

7 Apr, 2025 10:52

EU to discuss fund that could loan expensive arms to Ukraine – Reuters

Brussels has pledged to fund Kiev’s war effort against Russia despite US attempts to mediate a truce

EU finance ministers will meet this week to discuss anew defense procurement and leasing mechanism that could incorporate Ukraine, according to Reuters.

Brussels plans to establish the European Defence Mechanism (EDM) as part of its multibillion-euro militarization initiative. During an informal meeting in Warsaw on Saturday, ministers are expected to review a paper prepared by the Bruegel think tank detailing the EDM's operations, Reuters reported on Monday.

The intergovernmental fund is designed to possess its own capital to borrow money against and could acquire costly weapons systems to lease to military forces. The EDM may also extend membership to non-EU countries such as the UK, Norway, and Ukraine.

By maintaining expensive weapons systems, including advanced fighter jets and military satellites, on its balance sheet, the EDM would enable EU members to utilize assets without violating national debt restrictions. “Frontline”states — those nearest to Russia — would benefit from reduced lease rates, subsidized by a dedicated trust, according to the preview.

EU leaders have pledged to support Ukraine against Russia despite a change of policy in Washington, where President Donald Trump aims to mediate a truce. The EU approach has been criticized by some bloc members, including Hungary and Slovakia.

Dissenters have accused Brussels of damaging the EU economy with sanctions intended to punish Russia and risking an escalation of hostilities. Hungary has leveraged its veto power to extract concessions from the European Commission when major decisions in support of Ukraine needed unanimous approval.

Brussels aims to borrow up to €800 billion ($880 billion) over four yearsfor military expenditures, asserting that the funding is essential to prepare for a potential Russian attack. Moscow has denied any aggressive intentions. Russian officials maintain that the Ukraine conflict is a Western proxy war fueled by NATO’s expansion in Europe.

Last April, Josep Borrell, then serving as Brussels’ foreign policy and security chief, emphasized the EDM’s goal of reducing fragmentation in EU military spending by adopting a Pentagon-like single buyer approach.He argued that European procurement suffers from members’ self-serving tendencies, whereasthe states in the US “are not suspicious of each other when it comes to” where weapons are produced.

(So the countries overcharging each other, or increasing prices for some countries and decreasing for others.)

https://www.rt.com/news/615329-european-defence-mechanism-ukraine/

7 Apr, 2025 08:32

Convicted pedophile worked for UK charity helping Ukrainian kids – Telegraph

The “dangerous” volunteer was employed “with few, if any, background checks,” the paper has reported

A convicted pedophile was recruited by a charity helping children in Ukraine during the conflict with Russia due toshortcomings in the organization’s vetting process, The Telegraph has reported.

Siobhan’s Trust, since then renamed as HopeFull, hired the man in early 2023 to take part in its operation to distribute free pizzas to children and their families in the western part of the country “with few, if any, background checks,” the paper said in an article on Saturday. (Why did they rename it, dig on that Trust)

A 52-year-old male who called himself Jack Morgan was paid £500 ($645) a month by theScottish charityand made regular visits to orphanages, schools, and camps for those displaced by the fighting. Photographs posted by the charity on social media show him playing with young children, the report said.

According to the paper, suspicions about Morgan arose among his colleagues last summer after hebegan boasting about joining the Ukrainian Foreign Legion and claiming that he was raising moneyfor military supplies on its behalf. (Another Rooth?)

After searching online,they learned that Morgan was previously called Lee Callaghan, a resident of Newport, Wales who was jailed for two years for possessing category A child abuse images and was issued a ten-year sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) in 2017.An SHPO bars a person from leaving the UK without notifying the police. At the time, the National Crime Agency described him as “a dangerous man, who wanted to abuse children,” the report read.

The Telegraph said Morgan changed his name to Callaghan following his release from prison and traveled to Ukraine where he was hired by Siobhan’s Trust.

Sources within the charity told the paper that “all hell broke loose” when Morgan’s true identity was exposed.

A spokesman for HopeFull confirmed that “this individual gained his position under an assumed identity and was then dismissed by the charity in February 2024, at which point the charity was unaware of the allegations against him.”

However, he insisted that “as part of the charity’s safety processes, no volunteer is left unsupervised with vulnerable children or adults, and we always operate in teams of at least four people.”

HopeFull previouslyacknowledged that it does not have the capacity to carry out proper disclosureand barring service criminal record checks on its potential volunteers, insteadrelying on internet searches.(In the U.S. companies charge anywhere from $15-$25 for a background check with all police records, names etc. A trust would certainly have the money.)

Morgan is believed to still be in Ukrainewhere he had a romantic relationship with a Ukrainian mother of two, according to the report.

(Why does the UK have so many Pedos in government and the public, almost always men. There’s a real problem in that country.)

https://www.rt.com/news/615324-ukraine-charity-pedophile-uk/

This made me laugh heartedly

4 Apr, 2025 21:18

Canada will lead the world – PM

Ottawa is ready to fill Washington’s “global economic leadership” role, Mark Carney has said

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has condemned US President Donald Trump’s new slate of tariffs,declaring that Ottawa stands ready to become the global economic leader in place of Washington.

He delivered the remarks on Thursday as he unveiled retaliatory measures for Trump’s claimed “reciprocal” tariffs, which include an additional 25% automobile industry tariff on Canada. Ottawa has responded by tariffing all cars and vehicle content imported from the US that is not compliant with USMCA, a cornerstone free trade pact between the US, Canada, and Mexico.

The sweeping new wave of tariffs ranging from 10% to 49%, affecting most countries in the world, was rolled out by Trump on Wednesday on what he called “liberation day” in an effort to rectify America’s import-export imbalance. Carney said the move was bound to “rupture the global economy,” which has already become “fundamentally different today than it was yesterday.”

“The system of global trade anchored on the US [is one] that Canada has relied on since the end of the Second World War. A system that, while not perfect, has helped to deliver prosperity for our country for decades is over.Our old relationship of steadily deepening integration with the US is over,” the prime minister said.READ MORE: A ‘blow’ to the global economy: World leaders react to Trump’s tariff onslaught

Carney described the development as a “tragedy” that has become “the new reality,” but claimed that Ottawa was ready to take “global economic leadership” instead of Washington.

“Canada must be looking elsewhere to expand our trade, to build our economy, and to protect our sovereignty. Canada is ready to take a leadership role in building a coalition of like-minded countries who share our values,” he said. “And if the United States no longer wants to lead, Canada will.”

Canada has become one of the prime targets for Trump’s attacks on the global trade status quo, with the US president alleging that Washington has been “subsidizing” Ottawa in the amount of about $200 billion a year. The best way to resolve their economic disagreements would be for Canada would be becoming the “cherished”51st state of the US, he has suggested on multiple occasions.

While Canadian leaders have firmly rejected the annexation idea, opinion polls have indicated it is also extremely unpopular among the public as well. A recent YouGov poll suggested that up to 77% of Canadians firmly oppose it, with only around 15% in favor of a merger with the US.

(The junior leader of the NATO countries wants to rule world trade. KEK Canada produces 1/10 of U.S. production, what country would support Carney?)

https://www.rt.com/news/615252-us-canada-world-leader/

Attorney General Pam Bondi #73

April 7, 2025 | Sundance |

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi appears for her 73rd performance on Fox News this year.

As the DOJ embeds continue working diligently against the interest of the Trump administration, the top of the DOJ leadership structure appears for another performance to discuss the outcome of the embed diligence. Yes, that’s the non-pretending reality currently being faced.

Not all, but many in key positions, are career DOJ lawyers working passively (weak arguments) and with willful blindness (purposeful mistakes) to undermine the agenda of President Trump.

The whac-o-mole General Bondi outlines is both external in the courts and internal in the Main Justice ranks.Lawfare operatives are like cells within the larger body awaiting their turn to self-detonate. WATCH: https://youtu.be/vFjsFM-eZ4g

https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2025/04/07/attorney-general-pam-bondi-73/

I worry about this by Kash at the FBI not getting rid of the bad ones too! They should hire the best retired FBI agents to search out the traitors. Many wanted to volunteer.

President Trump Delivers Impromptu Remarks to Media Discussing Tariffs and Trade Reset with Media

April 7, 2025 | Sundance |

President Trump smartly remained quiet after delivering the economic thunder-shock with his national security tariffs and new global trade expectations. Now President Trump takes questions from the media about the initial reactions to the seismic event he created.

“China needs to solve the problem of the trade deficit with have with them,”is codespeakfor China needs to open their markets to U.S. companies that have already established a footprint,ANDChina needs to purchase U.S. goods. Despite the size of China, President Trump knows Beijing will never comply in earnest, so he gives thePanda a few words, but doesn’t give it too much time until the Dragon comes out from behind the mask.

President Trump notes he has “spoken to a lot of leaders from Europe and Asia” this weekend. However, now is that powerful moment in any negotiation when the principal has clearly outlined his position, then remain silent as the opposition responds.The “tariffs are instituted, they are not going away,”Trump said.

When questioned about having a “threshold” of “pain he is willing to tolerate,”President Trump notes the “question is stupid.” We are responding to opposition who are playing a zero-sum game, there is no level of pain too intolerable when ultimately your survival as a nation is at stake.Either we do, and win – or, we do not and die, that is our current status.

When questioned about having a zero-tariff agreement with Europe, President Trump references the scale of the imbalance.“There’s no talk possible” with the EU unless they acquiesce. Every country wants to make a deal, but “this is not sustainable” President Trump repeats.

When questioned about Tik Tok, President Trump notes there was a likely deal with China, but then Beijing responded to the tariffs and said the deal around the social media platform ownership was no longer possible.Trump doesn’t care, he wants a TikTok deal; but ultimately, the tariffs are more important.

President Trump then weaves throughthe Russia conflict, bombs are still bad, and the Middle east conflict, Gaza is still full of terrorists, and moves directly into domestic national security.

President Trump then reaffirms he has not agreed to reduce, soften or smooth any tariffs against any nation. The tariffs are in place, they will remain in place, andthe global trade reset will continue until America wins. Period.

The remarks were ‘Full force Big Ugly‘ and the winnamins were flying off the shelves for 15 straight minutes.I could not be more proud of our president.

HOLD THE LINE !

https://youtu.be/TLo4ZAOABws

“Did you know about the Billions lost”,

If you watched this he said Billions about 10x and then said “China owes a trillion dollars”, he looks at the person, “You know we are talking about the Trillion dollars, right?”, like she wasn’t listening, and he says, “We are not going to lose a Trillion dollars to buy pencils from China!”

https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2025/04/07/president-trump-delivers-impromptu-remarks-to-media-discussing-tariffs-and-trade-reset-with-media/

A judge is 'usurping' Trump's authority, Jarrett warns: 'You cannot make this up'

Fox News legal analyst Gregg Jarrett joins 'Fox & Friends' to weigh in ahead of a judge's deadline for the Trump administration to return a Salvadorian national to the U.S. and discusses the fundraiser for an accused killer Karmelo Anthony.

4:47

https://youtu.be/wH8hm17LkL8

Radio host reveals 'awful' story under Biden that nobody is talking about

Syndicated talk radio host Hugh Hewitt weighs in on who the real insiders into President Donald Trump's team are on 'One Nation.'

4:27

https://youtu.be/oWyNZSvnn2I

Levin: We have a big problem

Fox News host Mark Levin gives his take on President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs on more than 180 countries and territories on 'Life, Liberty & Levin With Stephen Miller later

17:26

https://youtu.be/TrA7383T79k

Bill Ackman

@BillAckman

==I just figured out why @howardlutnick

is indifferent to the stock market and the economy crashing. He and Cantor are long bonds. He profits when our economy implodes.==

It’s a bad idea to pick a Secretary of Commerce whose firm is levered long fixed income. It’s an irreconcilable conflict of interest.

10:23 PM · Apr 6, 2025

·6.3M Views

Here we go, Ackman has taken his side the Stock Market. Lutnick had to divest from all his companies, now Bill knows this.

https://x.com/BillAckman/status/1909069404694065350

Victor Davis Hanson: Strategy to Trump China on the World Stage4/2/25

“ China is ascendant and we are static.”

President Donald Trump is right to be worried about China’s trade surplus, military expansion, influence in regions like Panama and the Arctic, and the broader global impact of its rise. Victor Davis Hanson breaks down the reasons why Trump has made maintaining dominance over China a central issue for his administration on this episode of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words.”

“He’s worried that China is intimidating countries in the Pacific and in Asia. Some of our strongest friends—Australia, South Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam. Saying things like, "The United States is in decline. You better cut a deal.

“  We don’t look at productivity in stocks but whether they’re politically correct or DEI and woke… The Chinese love it. We will not be competitive.”

7:11

https://youtu.be/OM75uzv2JYg

China vows to remain a 'promising land' for foreign investment amid Trump tariff war

ASIA / PACIFIC

China on Monday promised to protect US firms as it responded in kind to 34 percent tariffs imposed last week by US President Donald Trump. China's retaliatory tariffs were "aimed at bringing the United States back onto the right track", said vice commerce minister Ling Ji.

Issued on: 07/04/2025 - 09:09

FRANCE 24

A top Chinese official has vowed to protect US firms and pledged his country will remain a "promising land" for foreign investment, Beijing said Monday, after it slapped 34 percent tariffs on US imports.

China retaliated last week against levies at the same level announced by US President Donald Trump on what he called "liberation day".

It also imposed export controls on seven rare earth elements, including gadolinium – commonly used in magnetic resonance imaging – and yttrium, which is used in consumer electronics.

Vice commerce minister Ling Jitold a panel of US company representativeson Sunday that the tariffs "firmly protect the legitimate rights and interests of enterprises,including American companies", his ministry said.

Those levies – which come into effect on Thursday – "are aimed at bringing the United States back onto the right track of the multilateral trade system", he told the representatives, including ofGE Healthcare and Medtronic.

Also present was a representative of electric vehicle giant Tesla, run by close Trump advisor and tech billionaire Elon Musk, who has extensive business interests in China. (So Tesla is working on behalf of China, no wonder Elon opposes them.)

"The root cause of the tariff issue lies in the United States," Ling said.

He urged the firms to "take pragmatic actions to jointly maintain the stability of global supply chains and promote mutual cooperation and win-win outcomes".

The United States exported $144.6 billion in goods to China in 2024, much less than the $439.7 billion it imported, Commerce Department data shows.

Among its exports, key sectors include electrical and electronic equipment and various fuels, alongside oilseed and grains. Trading floors were overcome by a wave of selling on Monday, in response to the showdown.

The selling in Asia was across the board, with no sector unharmed – tech firms, car makers, banks, casinos and energy firms all felt the pain as investors abandoned riskier assets.

Among the biggest losers, Chinese e-commerce titans Alibabatanked more than 14 percent and rival JD.com shed 13 percent, while Japanese tech investment giant SoftBank dived more than 10 percent and Sony gave up 9.6 percent.

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250407-china-vows-to-stay-safe-and-promising-land-for-foreign-investment

EU split on targeting US tech over Trump tariffs

Luxembourg (AFP) – Should the European Union target US Big Tech and services in response to President Donald Trump's tariff onslaught? Differences on the key issue were on display on Monday as the EU sought a show of unity on the pushback.

Issued on: 07/04/2025 - 14:53

The EU's trade commissioner, Maros Sefcovic, said the 27-country bloc was weighing its response to a "paradigm shift of the global trading system" as Trump's sweeping tariffs sent world markets crashing.Heading into their first talks since Trump ordered 20 percent tariffson the bloc's imports, EU trade ministers all agreed:Brussels must negotiate with Washington to avoid a damaging trade war.

But the bloc has already vowed strong countermeasures should negotiations with Trump's team fall short – and ministers hoped on Monday to narrow their differences over what that response could entail.France came out swinging before the talks in Luxembourg, urging the EU not to rule out an "extremely aggressive" trade response to Trump.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen signalled last week that Brussels had different options to respond to the United States, noting the bloc "holds a lot of cards".

Backed by Germany and Austria, Paris has been pushing for theEU to consider targeting US services, including digital – drawing fire from Irelandwhich relies heavily on US investment, particularly in the pharmaceutical and tech sectors.

Targeting services "would be an extraordinary escalation at a time when we must be working for de-escalation", Irish Trade Minister Simon Harris told reporters.

But if Trump took the bloc's surplus in goods with the United States meaning it exports more than it imports as his reasoning for hurting theEU, officials have indicated Brussels could target the US services surplus in response.

The 27-country bloc had a goods trade surplus of 157 billion euros ($171 billion) with the United States in 2023.But in services, where American firms are dominant, the EU had a trade deficit of 109 billion euros with the United States.

Trade 'bazooka'

France and Germany have specifically raised the possibility of deploying anew tool called the anti-coercion instrument(ACI), a trade weapon that has never been used and has been dubbed a "bazooka".

First adopted in 2023, it gives the EU greater powers to respond to trade coercion,with options available including restricting US companies from public tenders, limiting trade on services as well as intellectual property rights protection.

"We must not exclude any option on goods, on services… and open the European toolbox, which is very comprehensive andcan also be extremely aggressive," French Trade Minister Laurent Saint-Martin said, explicitly referencing the ACI tool.

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck likewise said Europe must be prepared to use it. Harris made it clear Ireland was opposed. "It is in many ways the nuclear option if you start talking about the use of the anti-coercion instruments and the likes."

"What's important here is that Europe reacts in a calm and measured way," Harris said, a position backed by Italy and Spain, which made no reference to hitting services. Spanish Trade Minister Carlos Cuerpo said theEU should "convey a message that we do not want to escalate any conflict", while Italy's Antonio Tajani said Europe had to "avoid uncontrolled reactions that would cause damage" to both sides.

'Wait and see'

In calibrating its response, a European diplomat said theEU was watching to see how the United States responds to Beijing's retaliatory higher duties that kick in later this week. "Our first strategy is that China will impose tariffs on the United States, so we will probably wait and see what the United States will do, what this will cause," the diplomat said.

The ministers will also discuss EU-China trade relations, which will require careful handling asBrussels fears US tariffs will cause Chinese goods to flood into the bloc, but also wants to avoid further tensions with Beijing. Trump's universal tariffs came weeks after he slapped higher levies on steel and aluminium import as well as cars and auto parts that have hit the EU hard.

The commission, which leads on trade policy,has prepared a list of US goods to target in response to the metals tariffs, which it will present to EU states later on Monday with a vote expected on Wednesday.

Von der Leyen held talks with the steel sector on Monday and will on Tuesday speak to the pharmaceutical sector, which fears being targeted by Trump's tariffs soon.

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250407-eu-split-on-targeting-us-tech-over-trump-tariffs

Read EU news to see what they are planning

>>22878478

These countries are our allies that we protect with NATO but also 1,000s of US military and air bases. Talking about how to defeat Trump and America, relying on China

Media missing the long-term goal with Trump's new tariffs | Fox Across America

President Trump announced his tariff plan on Wednesday in what he called "Liberation Day". Jimmy Failla points out why the media just isn't understanding what President Trump is trying to achieve. (The media knows what it means they don’t want it because Wall Street is their boss)

12:08

https://youtu.be/kw_tk_8H5vU

>>22878530

This was really good explanation of what Trump is doing

Major garment producer Bangladesh says US buyers halting orders

7 Apr 2025

US buyers have begun halting orders from Bangladesh, the world’s second-biggest garment manufacturer,after punishing US tariffs that pushed the government in Dhaka to plead on Monday for a three-month pause to the levies.

Textile and garment productionaccounts for about 80 percent of exportsin Bangladesh and the industry has been rebuilding after it was hit hard in a student-led revolution that toppled the government last year.

US President Donald Trump hit Bangladesh with biting new tariffs of 37 percent on Wednesday, hiking duties from the previous 16 percent on cotton products.

Reports of the swift biting impact come as interim leader Muhammad Yunus pleaded with Trump to “postpone the application of US reciprocal tariff measures”, the government said in a statement.

Yunus wrote to Trump to ask for “three months to allow the interim government to smoothly implement its initiative to substantially increase US exports to Bangladesh”, the statement added.

==Those products include “cotton, wheat, corn and soybean which will offer benefits to US farmers•=”, it read.

“Bangladesh will take all necessary actions to fully support your trade agenda,” Yunus told Trump, according to the statement.

‘In limbo’

Manufacturers said the impact had been near immediate.

Mohammad Mushfiqur Rahman, managing director of Essensor Footwear and Leather Products, said hereceived a letter from one of his buyers requesting a shipment halt.

“My buyer asked me to stop a shipment of leather goods — including bags, belts, and wallets — worth $300,000 on Sunday,” Rahman told AFP.

“He’s a long-time buyer and now both of us are in limbo over the issue.” Rahman, who has been operating since 2008, usually sends goods averaging about $100,000 to the United States every month.

Bangladesh exported approximately $8.4 billion worth of goods to the United States last year, of which $7.34 billion came from the ready-made garments sector.

Bengali newspaper Prothom Alo also quoted AKM Saifur Rahman, CEO of ready-made garments producer Wikitex-BD, saying that his US buyer had requested a halt to a shipment worth $150,000.

“My US buyer said it is not possible to pass the extra cost on to their clients, so we need to lower the price,”Rahman told the daily.

‘Request your patience’

Md Anwar Hossain, government-appointed administrator of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), sent a letter to US-based buyers pleading for understanding.

“We are aware that several brands and retailers have already reached out to their Bangladeshi suppliers, expressing concern and, in some cases, discussing possible measures to mitigate the impact,” Hossain wrote.

“We understand the urgency, but transferring the burden downstream to suppliers at this early stage will only exacerbate the stress,” he added.

“We humbly request your patience and support during this period as Bangladesh pursues a meaningful resolution.”

But former BGMEA director Mohiuddin Rubel saidsome buyers have already asked for shipments to be put on hold until further notice.

“In particular, smaller buyers are pressuring suppliers to either absorb the full tariff, or share the cost,” Rubel told AFP.

(If Bangladesh hadn’t tariffed the U.S., they would have received a much smaller tariffThis goes to the leaders of the country.)

https://www.breitbart.com/news/major-garment-producer-bangladesh-says-us-buyers-halting-orders-2/

>>22878559

Put the date on the article, it was 2-3 weeks ago

>>22878557

We’ve gone through so much worse under Bidan but the news didn’t shout and scream about his destruction of America. It’s sickening