Trump 2nd term updates: Trump excludes low-value shipments from looming tariffs

The amendment exempts imports valued at less than $800 from Canada and Mexico.

ByKevin Shalvey, Alexandra Hutzler, Emily Chang, Ivan Pereira, William Mansell, Sarah Beth Hensley, Jon Haworth, and Nadine El-Bawab
Last Updated: March 2, 2025, 11:08 PM EST

President Donald Trump’s efforts to reshape the federal government to his liking suffered a loss in court when a federal judge blocked his administration from firing the head of a federal watchdog agency without cause, likely triggering a lengthy appeal that could end at the Supreme Court.

U.S. District Justice Amy Berman Jackson determined the move was unlawful and issued a permanent injunction that reinstated special counsel Hampton Dellinger to his position.

Meanwhile, the Social Security Administration said it will cut 7,000 jobs and six of its 10 regional centers as part of the president’s downsizing of the federal workforce.

And Trump’s physician announced the president will have his annual physical next month, days after reporters raised questions about a bruise they saw on the back of his hand.

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Feb 27, 2025, 4:10 PM EST

Starmer asked if he thinks Putin can be trusted to 'keep his word'

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer was asked if he agreed with President Trump's belief that Russia's Vladimir Putin will "keep his word" on a Ukraine deal.

"I think my views on Putin are pretty well rehearsed and pretty well known," Starmer said. "My concern is that if there's a deal, and I hope there is a deal, that it is a lasting deal ... That's why I think it's really important that Putin knows that this deal -- a historic deal which I very much hope comes about -- is there, is there and it's a lasting deal and we're able to deal with any inclination he has to go again or go further."

US President Donald Trump (R) holds a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 27, 2025.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Feb 27, 2025, 4:04 PM EST

'He tried': Trump says he negotiated with Starmer over tariffs

Trump was asked if Starmer persuaded him to not impose tariffs on the U.K. during their talks.

"He tried," Trump joked.

President Donald Trump (R) holds a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 27, 2025.
Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

The president, however, praised Starmer's discussion and said he was a hard worker.

"I think there is a good chance where we can end up with a real trade deal, where the tariffs aren't necessary," Trump said.

Feb 27, 2025, 3:59 PM EST

Trump asked if he will apologize for calling Zelenskyy a dictator

Ahead of his meeting on Friday with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump was asked if he will "take the opportunity to apologize to him for calling him a dictator."

"I think we're going to have a very good meeting tomorrow," Trump responded.

"We're going to get along very well, OK? We have a lot of respect. I have a lot of respect for him," Trump added. "We've given him a lot of equipment and a lot of money, but they have fought very bravely no matter how you figure it, they have really fought."

Feb 27, 2025, 3:57 PM EST

Trump says he doesn't know how long it will take to mine Ukraine minerals

A reporter pointed out that experts say it could take more than a decade to mine precious materials from Ukraine.

When asked how much he should expect the U.S. would receive and when that mineral shipment would happen, Trump didn't give any details.

"Well, we're never going to know that answer. But by our being in Ukraine and doing the exploration and also the digging and taking the rare earth, which we need in our country very badly, we'll be doing a substantial amount of work, probably about at least what we have in there," he said.

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