WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump confirmed he has no plans to remove tariffs on Mexico and Canada. Despite a significant drop in illegal migrant crossings since he took office, he insisted that the tariffs would remain in place. He dismissed suggestions that Mexico’s improved border security and Canada’s new border protection measures should lead to a policy change.
When a reporter pointed out that migration from Mexico had decreased by nearly 90% compared to December 2023, Trump credited his administration for the change. He argued that past trade agreements unfairly hurt the U.S. economy and insisted that “the damage has already been done.” He also cited illegal drug smuggling as a major reason to keep tariffs, saying that drugs coming from these countries have contributed to American deaths.
Relations with China
Trump was asked if the U.S. would oppose China taking control of self-ruled Taiwan by force. He declined to comment directly but emphasized his strong relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump said he wanted China to increase investments in the U.S., adding that “we’re going to have a good relationship with China, but they won’t be able to take advantage of us.”
He criticized international relations under former President Joe Biden, particularly the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan in 2021. Calling it “the worst withdrawal anybody’s ever seen,” he argued that the event weakened U.S. global standing. He claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin viewed the withdrawal as a sign of American weakness.
Gaza and Israel
Regarding the ongoing war in Gaza, Trump said that decisions about the region’s future should be made by Israel. He acknowledged efforts to recover hostages taken during the conflict, calling the situation “very sad.” As the first phase of the ceasefire neared its end, he reiterated that Israel must determine its next steps.
Putin and NATO
Trump was also asked about his views on Russian President Vladimir Putin. He described Putin as “a very smart and cunning person.” Trump suggested that Putin had no real intention of negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine but predicted a resolution would eventually happen. He added that NATO might have played a role in triggering the war, though he did not elaborate.
Vice President JD Vance also weighed in, stating that negotiations with Russia and Ukraine would happen privately rather than through the media. He emphasized that Trump had “not conceded anything” in discussions so far and was working strategically as a diplomat.
Trump Introduces ‘Gold Card’ Immigration Plan
During the Cabinet meeting, Trump unveiled a new immigration initiative called the “gold card” plan. This proposal would replace the existing EB5 visa program by allowing wealthy foreigners to buy U.S. residency. The price for a gold card would be set at $5 million per applicant, granting them the right to live and work in the U.S. while offering a pathway to citizenship.
Trump argued that many talented foreign students receive education in the U.S. but are forced to leave due to visa restrictions. He said companies could purchase gold cards to retain these individuals, helping businesses recruit top talent.
Economic Impact
Trump positioned the gold card initiative as an economic strategy to reduce the national debt. He claimed that revenue from the program would be used to pay down federal debt and boost the U.S. economy. He insisted that applicants who could afford the $5 million price tag would likely contribute to job creation and economic growth.
Implementation Timeline
Trump announced that gold cards would become available within two weeks. He predicted a high demand for the program, stating, “Maybe it will sell like crazy. I happen to think it’s going to sell like crazy.” He described the initiative as a market-driven approach to immigration and economic policy.
Trump’s new proposal marks a shift in U.S. immigration policy, focusing on attracting high-net-worth individuals rather than traditional visa applicants. It remains to be seen how Congress and the public will respond to the plan.
