Key Takeaways
- President Trump is considering issuing rebate checks to low-income Americans, funded by the substantial revenue generated from tariffs. This proposal comes as the administration continues to emphasize tariffs as a key economic tool.
- The Trump administration plans to issue nearly 200 tariff notices, with Canada potentially facing a unilateral tariff increase. These actions underscore a continued aggressive stance on trade relations.
- President Trump described his recent conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as "sort of disappointing" and urged Israel to "finish the job" in Gaza, blaming Hamas for the breakdown of ceasefire talks. This signals a hardening stance on the Middle East conflict.
- The U.S. job market is showing signs of struggle, with one in five job-seekers reporting they have been looking for employment for 10 to 12 months or longer. This indicates a challenging environment for those seeking new positions.
- President Trump denied being informed that his name appeared in the Jeffrey Epstein files, contradicting earlier reports. He dismissed the issue as "not a big thing."
President Donald Trump is exploring the possibility of providing rebate checks to low-income Americans, financed by the significant revenue collected from tariffs. This consideration highlights the administration's ongoing focus on leveraging tariffs as a financial mechanism.
In a continuation of his "America First" trade policy, Trump is set to issue nearly 200 tariff notices, with a particular focus on Canada, which may face a unilateral tariff increase. This aggressive approach to trade aims to rebalance relationships and address perceived trade deficits. Experts warn that such tariffs could lead to retaliatory duties from other countries, potentially impacting U.S. exports and dampening demand for American-made goods, especially in sectors like automotive and engine manufacturing.
On the geopolitical front, President Trump characterized his recent discussion with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as "sort of disappointing." He urged Israel to "finish the job" in Gaza and attributed the collapse of ceasefire talks to Hamas, stating, "I think they want to die, and it's very, very bad." This marks a shift from previous optimism regarding a potential peace deal.
Domestically, the job market presents a challenging picture. Recent data indicates that one in five job-seekers have been actively searching for employment for 10 to 12 months or even longer. This extended search period suggests a tightening labor market, with more than a third of job seekers applying to more jobs but hearing back less. Job seeker confidence has also reportedly dropped sharply in 2025, with 55% of respondents in a recent survey citing the economy as the biggest barrier to their career goals.
Separately, President Trump addressed the ongoing discussion surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein files, stating he was "never" told that his name appeared in them. He dismissed the issue as "not a big thing" and suggested media focus should be on other individuals.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.