Trump Threatens Retaliatory Tariffs as EU Responds to U.S. Trade Policy

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump threatened on Wednesday to respond with further tariffs against Europe following the European Union‘s decision to impose counter-tariffs on U.S. goods valued at 26 billion euros ($28.33 billion). The EU’s actions follow the recent implementation of a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports from the bloc.

Trump, speaking to reporters, highlighted the reciprocal nature of his administration’s tariffs, stating, “We’re charging them whatever they charge us. Nobody can complain about that.” The president’s comments further emphasize the administration’s ongoing trade tensions with European partners.

In a separate matter, Senate Democrats signaled their plans to avoid a government shutdown scheduled for Saturday, even amid pressure from liberal activists. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) is reportedly allowing centrists the liberty to vote for a stopgap spending bill, a move designed to ensure government operations continue uninterrupted.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took a significant step on Wednesday by announcing it would reassess its earlier decision from 2009, which classified greenhouse gases as a threat to public health. This review is part of a broader effort to roll back several environmental regulations, including standards for coal plant pollution and protections for streams under the Clean Water Act.

In another high-profile story, a NASA–SpaceX launch aimed at returning two stranded astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS) has been postponed due to a hydraulic issue. The Falcon 9 rocket was set to launch from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and has been rescheduled for a potential takeoff on Thursday.

Samsung also made news by initiating the One UI 7 Beta Program for its Galaxy S23 series smartphones in India and Korea, with a promise of expanding to other markets. This beta release allows users to experience new features and improvements prior to the official rollout.

On the local political front, Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates Susan Crawford and Brad Schimel faced off in their only debate on Wednesday, exchanging critiques of each other’s records. The debate, which took place at Marquette University Law School, was crucial for determining the partisan balance of the court in the upcoming April 1 election.

Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway of Madison announced on Wednesday that she has placed City Clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl on leave as part of an investigation into the failure to count nearly 200 absentee ballots from the November election. The mayor emphasized her determination to ensure that every vote counts ahead of the spring election, amidst an inquiry from the state Elections Commission.

In judicial developments, a Wisconsin appeals court ruled on March 12 that disabled individuals cannot receive absentee ballots via email, reversing a previous lower court decision. This ruling comes less than three weeks before the critical April 1 election.

In response to escalating tensions at in-person town hall events, some Wisconsin Republicans have shifted to virtual formats. U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden cited “George Soros-funded agitators” as a reason for this change, a statement reflecting the intense political climate surrounding federal cuts introduced by the Trump administration.

Finally, the Wisconsin Badgers have secured their matchup for the Big Ten Tournament following a 72-64 victory by Northwestern over Minnesota. With the Badgers earning a bye, they will prepare to face Northwestern, creating anticipation as the postseason approaches.