Cabinet Meeting: Trump Defends Dollar, Says No Tariff Extension After Aug. 1/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump gathered his Cabinet to tout achievements, defend tough tariff deadlines, and address global tensions. Topics ranged from tariffs and the dollar’s dominance to flood responses in Texas. Critics question his policies amid ongoing natural disasters and geopolitical strife.
Trump Cabinet Meeting Quick Looks
- Trump hosts Cabinet to highlight administration’s recent wins
- Reaffirms firm August 1 tariff deadline despite market concerns
- Pledges to defend U.S. dollar as global currency
- Criticizes Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, suggests resignation
- Says he’s unhappy with Putin over Ukraine war
- Defense Secretary Hegseth hails Iran bombings as restoring U.S. might
- Homeland Security Secretary Noem shares emotional Texas flood response
- House Speaker meets Netanyahu amid global tensions
- Elon Musk absent after departure over budget, EV disputes
- White House avoids clarity on phasing out FEMA post-Texas floods
Deep Look
Trump Gathers Cabinet To Highlight Wins, Defend Dollar Dominance, And Address Global Challenges Amid Texas Flood Crisis
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump kicked off his Cabinet meeting Tuesday with his signature made-for-TV style, bringing together top officials to showcase recent policy actions and defend his administration’s stance on global economic and geopolitical issues.
Speaking to reporters in the White House Cabinet Room, Trump opened by praising his team’s efforts and touting accomplishments that have dominated headlines in recent weeks—from tariffs to foreign policy decisions.
Defending The U.S. Dollar And Imposing Tariffs
“The dollar losing its status would be like losing a war, a major world war,” Trump said. “We would not be the same country any longer. And we’re not going to let that happen.”
Trump warned that nations in the BRICS coalition discussing alternatives to the dollar would face economic consequences, pledging to impose a 10% tariff on their goods.
“I’m just saying, if people want to challenge it, they can, but they’re going to have to pay a big price,” he added.
On the domestic front, Trump maintained his hardline stance on tariffs, insisting the new August 1 deadline for higher rates will not shift.
“All money will be due and payable starting AUGUST 1, 2025 — No extensions will be granted,” Trump declared on Truth Social.
Countries like South Africa, South Korea, and Japan had hoped for continued negotiations, but Trump stood firm: “There has been no change to this date, and there will be no change.”
Criticism Of The Fed And Tensions With Putin
During the session, Trump criticized Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, accusing him of obstructing economic growth by hesitating to cut interest rates despite easing inflation.
“I think he’s terrible,” Trump said, signaling he’d welcome a congressional investigation into Powell. “He should resign immediately.”
On foreign relations, Trump repeated his displeasure with Russian President Vladimir Putin, describing him as responsible for significant casualties in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
“He’s killing a lot of people,” Trump said. Asked if he plans further actions against Russia, Trump responded cryptically, “I wouldn’t be telling you.”
Military Posture And Iran Strikes
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth used the meeting to contrast Trump’s foreign policy with that of President Joe Biden, especially regarding military interventions.
Hegseth claimed that U.S. bombings in Iran restored American military credibility after what he labeled the “debacle” of Biden’s 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Trump called Biden’s Afghanistan pullout “the most botched up mess I’ve ever seen.”
Emotional Scenes From Texas Flood Response
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem offered a tearful account of leading federal support in Texas, where devastating floods have killed over 100 people.
“Very emotional, but also just so tragic,” Noem said, recounting her visit to flood-stricken communities. She praised Texans’ resilience and noted efforts to streamline FEMA operations in line with Trump’s vision of reducing federal bureaucracy.
However, the White House remains vague on whether the Texas floods might delay Trump’s controversial plan to eliminate FEMA entirely. Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt deflected questions about phasing out the agency, insisting instead that states should handle disaster responses as much as possible.
Notable Absence: Elon Musk
For the first time, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk was absent from the Cabinet table. Previously a frequent participant, Musk had led Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, boasting about cutting waste and reducing bureaucracy.
Musk left the administration in May following a dispute over tax and spending legislation that he argued would balloon the deficit and cut electric vehicle incentives, directly impacting Tesla.
Netanyahu Meets GOP Leaders On Capitol Hill
Outside the Cabinet meeting, diplomatic activity continued. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with House Speaker Mike Johnson on Capitol Hill, exchanging warm greetings but avoiding press questions. Earlier in the day, Vice President JD Vance privately met Netanyahu at Blair House, though details remain under wraps.
Tariff Impact On U.S. Consumers
Trump’s latest tariff hikes could mean significant costs for American consumers, with rates ranging from 25% to 40% on goods from countries like Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Bangladesh, and others. Affected imports span clothing, electronics, auto parts, and more.
As Trump’s Cabinet session wrapped, the president continued promoting his administration’s policies while fielding pointed questions about the human and economic costs tied to his decisions—from disaster response to global trade conflicts.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.