Priyanga V

On May 12, 2025, the United States and China announced a significant development in their ongoing trade relations: a 90-day Tariff pause in the escalating tariff war that had strained global markets and bilateral ties. This agreement, reached during talks in Geneva, entails a substantial reduction in tariffs, with the U.S. lowering duties on Chinese goods from 145% to 30%, and China reducing tariffs on U.S. imports from 125% to 10%.

Economic Uncertainty Under Trump: In the early months of President Donald Trump's second term, a significant portion of Americans are postponing major life decisions due to economic uncertainty. A Harris Poll conducted in April 2025 reveals that 60% of Americans have delayed at least one major life goal, such as buying a home, starting a family, or making significant purchases, citing affordability concerns and general economic instability .

In a move that has stirred significant debate within the Trump administration, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is preparing to release the "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) report, which scrutinizes the health impacts of widely used agricultural pesticides such as glyphosate and atrazine. Set for release on May 22, 2025, the report aims to investigate the links between these chemicals and chronic health issues, including developmental problems in children. While President Trump had previously expressed support for examining pesticide reform, various officials within the White House, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Department of Agriculture (USDA) have voiced concerns that the report could disrupt the food supply and undermine established agricultural practices.

In April 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives introduced a comprehensive tax reform bill, championed by President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson. Dubbed the "Big, Beautiful Bill," this legislation aims to extend and expand upon the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017. Key provisions include increasing the standard deduction, adjusting the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap, and proposing a higher top marginal tax rate for ultra-high earners .

Trump's Acceptance of Qatari Jet: In May 2025, President Donald Trump's decision to accept a $400 million Boeing 747-8 jet from Qatar ignited a firestorm of legal, ethical, and political debates. The aircraft, formerly part of Qatar's royal fleet, was offered as a temporary replacement for Air Force One, pending the delayed delivery of new aircraft from Boeing. Trump defended the acceptance, stating it was a cost-saving measure for taxpayers and would eventually be donated to his presidential library .

On May 15, 2025, the United States Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments in a case that challenges the scope of nationwide injunctions and the Trump administration's attempt to end birthright citizenship through Executive Order 14160. This executive order seeks to deny automatic U.S. citizenship to children born on American soil to non-citizen parents, a move that has sparked significant legal and societal debates.