Reference News Network, July 21 report: EFE, July 20, published an article titled "Tariffs, Raids and Cuts: The Controversial Six-Month Term of Trump Returning to the White House." The report said that Donald Trump reached the six-month anniversary of returning to the White House on July 20, and the beginning of his second term has multiple characteristics: trade protectionism is prevalent, immigration policies are tightened, controversial legislative measures continue to be introduced, and an unexpected crisis erupted between him and loyal supporters due to improper handling of the Epstein case.

However, Trump recently still asserted, "A year ago we were a dying country, now it has become the most prosperous country in the world."

Trump imposed a 10% tariff on global goods in April and announced the implementation of "reciprocal tariffs" to reduce trade deficits with allies. He initially set a negotiation deadline for allies as July 9, and later extended the deadline to August 1st.

Due to the failure to reach agreements with most countries, Trump notified dozens of countries, announcing tariffs ranging from 20% to 40%, including neighboring Mexico (30%) and Canada (35%). He threatened to impose a 50% tariff on Brazil because Brazil sued his ally, former president Bolsonaro.

The negotiations with the European Union are still ongoing, although Trump insisted that the 30% tariff announced by Brussels has been finalized.

The report said that over the past six months, the Trump administration has ordered billions of dollars in cuts to international aid and demanded NATO allies increase defense spending from 2% of GDP to 5%.

Additionally, the Trump administration has continued to push for a peace agreement in Ukraine, recently pressured Russian President Putin, and sought to resolve the Israel-Gaza conflict, while continuing to strongly support Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and jointly attacking Iranian nuclear facilities with him.

Regarding Latin America, the Republican government "has made immigration issues a core priority," requiring Mexico, Canada, and Central American countries to strengthen border control.

The Republican government has exacerbated immigration management issues through new orders, requiring an increase in the number of immigrants detained and rapid deportations, which has drawn criticism from human rights advocates.

The government has increased funding for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement to expand raids. In Los Angeles, this escalation triggered mass protests and sent National Guard and Marines to the streets against the wishes of local authorities.

The report said that Trump successfully passed a large-scale fiscal plan and public spending cut scheme in Congress, but this plan increased the fiscal deficit by about $2.8 trillion. The president used the majority of the Republicans in Congress to further cut federal spending.

In this context, Trump had a public and intense conflict with his former allies and donors, Elon Musk. Musk accused the president of undermining the work of the controversial Department of Government Efficiency he led and alleged that the president was on the list of clients of the late Epstein.

In fact, the handling of the Epstein case triggered an unexpected trust crisis between Trump and his most steadfast supporters. (Translated by Liu Lifu)

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7529503891965313571/

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