US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer met with Japan's Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa to discuss fair and reciprocal trade, including tariffs and non-tariff measures. The meeting aimed to address concerns and find a consensus on bilateral issues between the US and Japan, with Bessent expressing hope for positive engagement and cooperation between the two allies.
https://channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/us-japan-officials-start-trade-consultations-treasury-skeptical-5106066The US is proposing to sell F-15 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, with the sale now heading to Congress for approval. The move aims to support US foreign policy goals and national security objectives in the Gulf Region. However, the proposal comes amid intense Congressional scrutiny due to Saudi Arabia's past actions, including the 2015 war on Yemen's Houthi rebels and the 2018 assassination of Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. The sale is also seen as a continuation of US support for Gulf states under former President Trump, who maintained close ties with countries like Qatar, which recently received approval to buy $2 billion worth of MQ-9B Reaper drones from the US.
https://apnews.com/article/saudi-arabia-arms-sale-trump-visit-c7fdc0b4f345431c6bdff9436e2f8ea1The US travel and tourism industry is experiencing a significant pullback due to global consumers boycotting US products and brands, particularly following President Donald Trump's erratic tariffs. This has resulted in a 10% reduction in spending by foreign travelers and tourists, accounting for $215 billion of the US GDP in 2024. The industry, which accounted for 3.0% of GDP and over six million jobs in 2023, is seeing softer spending on lodging, tourism, and airlines, with Bank of America-aggregated card data showing a slow start to the year.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1307608-us-economy-risks-losing-billions-as-travel-demand-weakens-analysts-warnThe US is facing a recession due to President Trump's trade policy, particularly the imposition of high tariffs on Chinese imports. Former Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen attributes this to the country's heavy dependence on key minerals from China, which could severely impact entire sectors of the economy with these tariffs in place.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/968454-trump-admits-us-could-face-recessionA former adviser to John Boehner believes Donald Trump will face consequences for derailing the US economy during his presidency. GOP insider Brendan Buck criticized Trump's trade war, stating it has created financial instability that he will have to live with. The current unemployment rate of 4.2 percent is seen as a potential source of criticism for Trump, who previously claimed credit for Joe Biden's economic policies.
https://www.rawstory.com/trump-botched-tariffs/Warren Buffett criticized US President Donald Trump's approach to international trade, stating that a balance between countries is ideal but Trump's use of tariffs is not effective in achieving this goal.
https://www.khou.com/article/news/nation-world/warren-buffett-reirement-announcement/507-e379ee19-9dfc-434e-aa54-1814ebcc32daWarren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway's CEO, has criticized US President Donald Trump's tariff policies, calling them an "act of war." In response to a question at the company's annual meeting, Buffett stated that trade should not be used as a weapon and emphasized the benefits of balanced trade for the world.
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/insurance/berkshires-warren-buffett-says-trade-can-be-an-act-of-warWarren Buffett, the billionaire CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, has publicly criticized US President Donald Trump's trade policies, expressing concerns over their potential impact on the global economy and American businesses.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/968594-billionaire-warren-buffett-criticized-us-trade-policyWarren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, expressed concerns about President Donald Trump's use of tariffs as a trade weapon, stating that it can anger the rest of the world and create market turmoil. Buffett believes in balanced trade between countries and thinks the US should focus on its strengths while allowing other nations to excel in their own areas. He has seen three significant market downturns during his 60-year tenure at Berkshire but views current market fluctuations as minor, predicting that the company will be well-positioned for future opportunities when cash reserves are utilized. Buffett's long-term optimism about the US remains unchanged despite recent market volatility, and he plans to continue working until his death or incapacitation.
https://apnews.com/article/warren-buffett-berkshire-hathaway-shareholders-annual-meeting-a421061233f99859673fb131ce020d4d