Business
Canada may escape the worst as Trump declares America’s economic independence with Liberation Day tariffs
MxM News
Quick Hit:
On Wednesday, President Trump declared a national emergency to implement a sweeping 10% baseline tariff on all imported goods, calling it a “Declaration of Economic Independence.” Trump said the tariffs would revitalize the domestic economy, declaring that, “April 2, 2025, will forever be remembered as the day American industry was reborn.”
Key Details:
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The baseline 10% tariff will take effect Saturday, while targeted “reciprocal” tariffs—20% on the EU, 24% on Japan, and 17% on Israel—begin April 9th. Trump also imposed 25% tariffs on most Canadian and Mexican goods, as well as on all foreign-made cars and auto parts, effective early Thursday.
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Trump justified the policy by citing foreign trade restrictions and long-standing deficits. He pointed to policies in Australia, the EU, Japan, and South Korea as examples of protectionist barriers that unfairly harm American workers and industries.
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The White House estimates the 10% tariff could generate $200 billion in revenue over the next decade. Officials say the added funds would help reduce the federal deficit while giving the U.S. stronger leverage in negotiations with countries running large trade surpluses.
Diving Deeper:
President Trump on Wednesday unveiled a broad new tariff policy affecting every imported product into the United States, marking what he described as the beginning of a new economic era. Declaring a national emergency from the White House Rose Garden, the president announced a new 10% baseline tariff on all imports, alongside steeper country-specific tariffs targeting longstanding trade imbalances.
“This is our Declaration of Economic Independence,” Trump said. “Factories will come roaring back into our country — and you see it happening already.”
The tariffs, which take effect Saturday, represent a substantial increase from the pre-Trump average U.S. tariff rate and are part of what the administration is calling “Liberation Day” for American industry. Reciprocal tariffs kick in April 9th, with the administration detailing specific rates—20% for the European Union, 24% for Japan, and 17% for Israel—based on calculations tied to bilateral trade deficits.
“From 1789 to 1913, we were a tariff-backed nation,” Trump said. “The United States was proportionately the wealthiest it has ever been.” He criticized the establishment of the income tax in 1913 and blamed the 1929 economic collapse on a departure from tariff-based policies.
To underscore the move’s long-anticipated nature, Trump noted he had been warning about unfair trade for decades. “If you look at my old speeches, where I was young and very handsome… I’d be talking about how we were being ripped off by these countries,” he quipped.
The president also used the moment to renew his push for broader economic reforms, urging Congress to eliminate federal taxes on tips, overtime pay, and Social Security benefits. He also proposed allowing Americans to write off interest on domestic auto loans.
Critics of the plan warned it could raise prices for consumers, noting inflation has already risen 22% under the Biden administration. However, Trump pointed to low inflation during his first term—when he imposed more targeted tariffs—as proof his strategy can work without sparking runaway costs.
White House officials reportedly described the new baseline rate as a guardrail against countries attempting to game the system. One official explained the methodology behind the reciprocal tariffs: “The trade deficit that we have with any given country is the sum of all trade practices, the sum of all cheating,” adding that the tariffs are “half of what they could be” because “the president is lenient and he wants to be kind to the world.”
In addition to Wednesday’s sweeping changes, Trump’s administration recently imposed a 25% tariff on Chinese goods tied to fentanyl smuggling and another 25% on steel and aluminum imports—revoking previous carve-outs for countries like Brazil and South Korea. Future tariffs on semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and raw materials such as copper and lumber are reportedly under consideration.
Trump closed his remarks with a message to foreign leaders: “To all of the foreign presidents, prime ministers, kings, queens, ambassadors… I say, ‘Terminate your own tariffs, drop your barriers.’” He declared April 2nd “the day America’s destiny was reclaimed” and promised, “This will indeed be the golden age of America.”
MxM News
Quick Hit:
A shocking new poll reveals that a staggering 71% of likely Democratic voters support imprisoning Elon Musk for his brief service in the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The survey, conducted by The Heartland Institute and Rasmussen Reports, underscores an alarming shift in progressive politics: jailing political opponents for attempting to rein in bureaucratic waste. As Justin Haskins writes in his May 9 Townhall op-ed, this poll is not just about Musk—it’s about the dangerous normalization of authoritarianism among America’s political left.
Key Details:
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71% of likely Democratic voters support jailing Musk for his role in eliminating government waste via DOGE.
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80% of ideological liberals, across parties, say they would imprison Musk for his public service.
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Nearly 70% of Democrats support banning Musk from ever serving in government again—an unconstitutional measure.
Diving Deeper:
In his recent Townhall column, Justin Haskins warns that Elon Musk’s fall from liberal darling to “Public Enemy No. 1 for the modern left” stems from a single transgression: daring to challenge the D.C. establishment. Haskins opens by recognizing Musk’s past achievements—electric vehicles, space exploration, and defending free speech. But after briefly working in the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—an initiative aimed at cutting federal waste—Musk became a target of left-wing ire.
According to the Heartland Institute/Rasmussen poll, “Seven in ten likely Democratic voters want to imprison Musk for trying to make government more efficient.” Haskins adds, “This isn’t satire. This is the modern Democratic Party, where liberalism has evolved into authoritarianism dressed in the clothes of compassion and equity.”
The numbers become even more disturbing among self-identified liberals. A staggering 80% of ideological liberals said they’d support jailing Musk for participating in DOGE. Additionally, nearly 70% of Democrats back a proposal to ban him from ever working in government again—a position that clearly violates constitutional protections.
Musk’s unpopularity among Democrats has grown since his acquisition of X (formerly Twitter) and his commitment to restoring banned voices. Once celebrated as a climate champion, Musk is now demonized by the very groups that once hailed his green energy innovations. “He was supposed to walk in lockstep against conservatives at all times,” Haskins notes. “When he chose a different path… he committed a sin that some on the radical left simply cannot forgive.”
More importantly, the poll reflects a dangerous national trend: criminalizing political dissent. Haskins writes, “When nearly three-fourths of Democratic voters support jailing someone for participating in an effort to streamline federal agencies, we’ve crossed a dangerous line.” He continues, “This is the stuff of banana republics, not constitutional republics.”
The column concludes with a chilling reminder that the targeting of Elon Musk is not an isolated incident. “If they’re willing to jail Elon Musk for doing his job, what do you think they’ll do to the rest of us?” Haskins asks. The poll results reveal a left-wing movement increasingly comfortable using state power to punish those who refuse to conform.
Quick Hit:
The LEGO Group is expanding its U.S. footprint with a $366 million investment to build a 2-million-square-foot warehouse in Virginia. The move will create 305 new jobs and deepen the company’s commitment to the United States.
Key Details:
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The new warehouse and distribution center will be built in Prince George County, complementing LEGO’s upcoming factory in neighboring Chesterfield County that’s set to open in 2027.
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Virginia secured the project through a $2.53 million Commonwealth Opportunity Fund grant, with additional support from state programs including the Virginia Jobs Investment Program and the Port of Virginia’s economic development incentives.
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LEGO’s Chief Operations Officer Carsten Rasmussen said the center will “bring greater flexibility” to the company’s North American supply chain and reduce both customer wait times and environmental impact.
Diving
LEGO is expanding in Virginia! This new $366M investment in Prince George County creates 305 new jobs, strengthening our partnership and Virginia’s status as the top state for business. Virginia is where global companies and iconic brands like @LEGO_group can thrive, grow, and… pic.twitter.com/6rzydVIlRZ
— Glenn Youngkin (@GlennYoungkin) May 8, 2025
Deeper:
The LEGO Group will invest $366 million to build a 2 million-square-foot warehouse and distribution center in Prince George County, Virginia, a move expected to create 305 new jobs, according to a Thursday announcement by Governor Glenn Youngkin.
The project marks another milestone in LEGO’s ongoing U.S. expansion, following the 2022 announcement of its Chesterfield County factory currently under construction. The company’s operations in Virginia are projected to create more than 2,000 jobs total when both sites are fully up and running.
“The LEGO Group is not just a household name, it’s a symbol of creativity, innovation, and quality that resonates globally,” said Governor Youngkin. “Three years after choosing Virginia to establish its U.S. manufacturing plant, the LEGO Group’s decision to expand into Prince George County is an exciting new chapter in this partnership.”
LEGO’s global Chief Operations Officer, Carsten Rasmussen, said the regional distribution center “will shorten our supply chain in the region–reducing lead times for our customers as well as our environmental impact.” He praised the continued partnership with the Commonwealth.
State economic officials credited Virginia’s workforce and infrastructure for helping land the deal. “This investment brings high-quality jobs to Prince George County and reflects our broader commitment to building healthy, vibrant communities,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Juan Pablo Segura.
Virginia lawmakers representing the area praised the announcement. State Senator Lashrecse Aird said the investment means “new opportunities for families and a stronger foundation for our community.” Delegate Carrie Coyner echoed that sentiment, calling it “a testament to the kind of community we’ve built.”
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