The Statue of Liberty has grown into a cherished and essential symbol for the United States, but now French political figure Raphael Glucksmann wants Lady Liberty brought back to France. Though strongly linked to New York and American identity, Lady Liberty actually originated in France and has a twin statue standing in Paris. The concept first emerged in 1865, when Edouard de Laboulaye, a French intellectual and opponent of slavery, suggested creating the statue to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of American independence and symbolize friendship between the United States and France.
France calls US to return Statue of Liberty. Here's why it ... (Source: www.bostonglobe.com)
French sculptor Auguste Bartholdi crafted the statue before its delivery to America on June 17, 1885. Workers installed it on Bedloe's Island in 1886, where it has stood until today—but perhaps not for much longer?
During rising political friction between the US and Europe, Glucksmann, who represents the center-left in France, stated that the US should "give France back the Statue of Liberty." At his Place Publique movement's convention, he elaborated: "We're going to say to the Americans who have chosen to side with the tyrants, to the Americans who fired researchers for demanding scientific freedom: 'Give us back the Statue of Liberty.'"
He added, "'We gave it to you as a gift, but apparently you despise it. So it will be just fine here at home'."
Glucksmann made these remarks after US President Donald Trump imposed 25 percent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports to the US—a decision that prompted the European Commission to create its own tariffs against American goods. Trump then escalated matters by threatening a 200 percent tariff on "wines, champagne and alcoholic products" coming from France and other European nations.
Give back the Statue of Liberty, French MEP tells US – POLITICO (Source: www.politico.eu)
During this trade dispute, Glucksmann has also criticized Trump's handling of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, which included reducing US military support to Ukraine, plus his cuts to federal research funding. The French politician suggested France would welcome not just the statue but also researchers who lost their jobs.
He stated: "The next message we will convey to the Americans is: 'should you dismiss your finest scientists, should you remove all those individuals who, through their independence and creative thinking, their appreciation for questioning and investigation, have transformed your nation into the global leader, then we will open our doors to them'."
Donald Trump threatens European Union with 200% tariffs on specific goods if they don't remove 'nasty' tax
President Trump has issued a warning to the European Union, threatening 200 percent tariffs on certain products if they fail to eliminate what he describes as a 'nasty' tax. Writing on his Truth Social platform today (March 13), the US President criticized the EU as one of the 'most hostile and abusive taxing and tariffing authorities in the world' as he warns of substantial tariffs on European Union exports including alcoholic beverages.
Trump threatens tariffs if EU doesn’t buy more oil and gas from US (Source: www.aljazeera.com)
The POTUS stated this action stems from the EU being "created specifically to exploit the United States" and imposing a 'nasty' 50 percent tariff on whisky.
Trump added: "If this Tariff is not removed immediately, the U.S. will shortly place a 200% Tariff on all WINES, CHAMPAGNES, & ALCOHOLIC PRODUCTS COMING OUT OF FRANCE AND OTHER E.U. REPRESENTED COUNTRIES."
"This will be great for the Wine and Champagne businesses in the U.S," he further remarked.
This warning follows the EU commission's tax increase as a counter-measure against the US, after Washington imposed 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. The EU indicated its 50 percent charge applies to €26 billion (approximately $28 billion) of US goods, including bourbon whiskey.
In an official response, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen criticized Trump's approach, claiming it is 'bad for business' and consumers alike. She stated: "The trade relations between the European Union and the US are the biggest in the world. They have brought prosperity and security to millions of people, and trade has created millions of jobs on both sides of the Atlantic."
Trump threatens 200% tariffs on wine, champagne coming out of European Union (Source: www.cbs19.tv)
Regarding the US' 25 percent metal tariffs, she noted: "We deeply regret this measure. Tariffs are taxes. They are bad for business, and even worse for consumers. These tariffs are disrupting supply chains. They bring uncertainty for the economy. Jobs are at stake. Prices will go up. In Europe and in the United States."
"The European Union must act to protect consumers and business."
Ursula von der Leyen stated the EU's countermeasures revealed today are 'strong but proportionate.'
"As the US are applying tariffs worth 28 billion dollars, we are responding with countermeasures worth €26 billion. This matches the economic scope of the US tariffs."
She promised the counter-tariffs will begin on April 1 and fully implement by April 13 while maintaining options for additional talks with the US.
"We firmly believe that in a world fraught with geopolitical and economic uncertainties, it is not in our common interest to burden our economies with tariffs," the EU leader continued. "We are ready to engage in meaningful dialogue."
This development emerges as Trump has seemingly worsened relations with neighboring Canada amid the growing trade dispute and mutual tariff threats.
The President signaled early in his second term his intention to enforce harsh sanctions on US trading allies, citing concerns about drugs and illegal border crossings.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford also warned he would implement a 25 percent increase on electricity costs - or potentially cut off power entirely to 1.5 million Americans across New York, Michigan and Minnesota if Trump continued to 'escalate' the situation.
However, when Trump responded that Canada would face a 50 percent increase on aluminum and steel, Ford decided to temporarily halt the proposal.
Trump signs executive order to change monuments and 'restore truth to American history'
The 47th President of the US has approved more than 100 executive orders (EOs) since taking office. Recently, the POTUS signed an EO about American elections that faced wide criticism. He also issued orders to change the Gulf of Mexico's name to the Gulf of America, remove the Department of Education, and make changes that could greatly affect medical patients.
Highlights from Donald Trump's Presidential Inauguration ... (Source: apnews.com)
On March 27, he approved another order calling for the "restoration of Federal parks, monuments, memorials, statues, markers" and ensuring the Smithsonian "celebrates American history" and "greatness".
According to the White House website, the order instructs Vice President JD Vance - as a Smithsonian Board of Regents member - to "work to eliminate improper, divisive, or anti-American ideology from the Smithsonian" and "the National Zoo".
The directive also requires the Administration to collaborate with Congress to guarantee that "future Smithsonian appropriations prohibit funding for exhibits or programs that degrade shared American values, divide Americans by race, or promote ideologies inconsistent with Federal law" and "celebrate women's achievements in the American Women's History Museum and do not recognize men as women".
The order extends beyond museums and centers, instructing the "Secretary of the Interior" to "restore Federal parks, monuments, memorials, statues, markers, or similar properties that have been improperly removed or changed in the last five years to perpetuate a false revision of history or improperly minimize or disparage certain historical figures or events".
But what reasons exist for targeting the Smithsonian Institution?
Under the "Combating Corrosive Ideology" section, the order claims that the previous administration "pushed a divisive ideology that reconstrued America's promotion of liberty as fundamentally flawed, infecting revered institutions like the Smithsonian and national parks with false narratives".
Donald Trump name changes for the Gulf of America to Fort Bragg (Source: www.bbc.com)
Despite "once being revered throughout the world as a symbol of American excellence," the Smithsonian "has recently promoted divisive ideology that American and Western values are harmful".
The order lists several examples of such "divisive ideology" from the American Art Museum featuring an exhibit that "purports to address how 'sculpture has been a powerful tool in promoting scientific racism'" and claims that the United States has "used race to establish and maintain systems of power, privilege, and disenfranchisement" to the "American Women's History Museum's plans to celebrate male athletes participating in women's sports".
The order states Trump is "committed" to "celebrating American greatness" and "building a sense of national pride." He signed this directive as a way to "ensure that American history is celebrated accurately, fairly, and with pride—honoring the remarkable progress, liberty, and ingenuity that define our great nation."
Trump risks it all, takes on the world with tariffs and puts America first
Many people feel upset with Donald Trump. He continues to take away benefits; our NATO partners feel frustrated they must contribute more to their defense, DOGE cuts tax money flowing improperly to Democrats, and the president's tariff attack has shown trade imbalances that help everyone except the United States.
Trump has not just disturbed things – he has completely destroyed the status quo. He puts American interests first and stands as the only president willing to risk his political career for blue-collar families. He deserves praise for this stance.
Trump Threatens Tariffs Over Immigration, Drugs and ... (Source: www.nytimes.com)
Here is a clear fact: with $37 trillion in national debt, up from $23 trillion in 2019, the United States can no longer serve as the world's financial supporter.
For years, Western allies depended on America for protection against hostile governments while they invested in their citizens, creating expensive welfare systems including free healthcare and good pensions. During his first term, Trump criticized countries like Germany that consistently failed to meet their NATO commitment to spend 2% of GDP on defense.
Europeans felt shocked, as they often do by direct American communication. Gradually and reluctantly, they increased their spending; the Ukraine conflict showed the need for greater independence, as did additional pressure from President Trump. This change was necessary.
In the United States, the DOGE team reveals billions in wasteful government expenses and tax dollars sent to innocent-looking NGOs that channel funds to Democrat-aligned activist groups. DOGE also promises to update our outdated federal government, which deserves support.
Now, regarding tariffs: Donald Trump has complained about unfair treatment from trading partners for decades. Because of him, the country's perspective on trade agreements changed ten years ago. Democrats supported these deals until Hillary Clinton ran against Trump in 2016, even as manufacturing jobs in the U.S. decreased from almost 20 million in 1979 to only 12 million.
Trump is set to hike tariffs. Should Southeast Asia be ... (Source: fortune.com)
Donald Trump puts American interests first and stands as the only president willing to risk his political career for blue-collar families. He deserves praise for this stance.
At this time, the trade agreement under review was the Trans-Pacific Partnership, involving 11 Pacific Rim nations and backed by the Obama administration, where Hillary Clinton worked as Secretary of State. Politico noted in 2016, "Clinton praised the Trans-Pacific Partnership before she opposed it;" even left-leaning Politico described Clinton's opposition to the deal as a "campaign stance." The New York Times stated that the TPP became "a representation of failed globalism and American job losses overseas." Trump officially abandoned the trade agreement on his first day in office.
Trump believes that trade agreements like the TPP and the original North American Trade Agreement (enacted by Bill Clinton moved millions of jobs to low-wage countries like Mexico and China In 2016, he campaigned on renegotiating these deals; while in office, one of his major achievements was establishing the USMTA, a new agreement with Mexico and Canada that Vox described as "better for workers than NAFTA was."
Now, in his second term, President Trump aims to go further in revising our trade arrangements. He wants to bring manufacturing back to the U.S., and has announced severe tariffs to achieve this goal. Markets have dropped as investors and business leaders calculate the impact of Trump's actions.
The tariffs, particularly their calculation method, face criticism. While demanding equal tariffs seems reasonable – why should the EU charge 10% duty on U.S.-made cars while we tax them only 2.5%? – basing the fee on our trade deficit with each country does not appear logical.
Recently, many countries have requested to negotiate better terms. This makes sense since the U.S. remains the world's largest consumer market. We hold the advantage; Trump must use it effectively.
Trump's tariffs in numbers: The biggest losers amid ... (Source: www.yahoo.com)
Unfortunately, White House Trade Advisor Peter Navarro appeared on television Monday to reject Vietnam's offer for zero tariffs, requiring additional concessions to address "nontariff cheating." He referred to "Chinese products routed through Vietnam, intellectual property theft and a value-added tax." These are valid concerns, but Navarro's comments disappointed those hoping Trump would soon announce agreements to reduce tariffs and stabilize markets.
President Trump has a reputation as a skilled negotiator. In his book "Art of the Deal," he explains the benefit of starting with an extreme demand, allowing room for compromise. This appears to be his current strategy.
The White House faces pressure to gain public support.
Trump's agenda, including the extension of the 2017 tax cuts, might face risk if voters lose faith and if Republicans lose Congress in the midterms. Their various justifications for tariffs – correcting unfair practices that hurt American workers, generating income and returning manufacturing to US soil - all make sense. For people who question the necessity to rebuild US manufacturing, they should think about the national security issues of having a nation that mainly produces entertainment and financial services. Films and stock offerings cannot win conflicts. Trump is correct – we need to produce steel, ships and weapons.
Trump trade – back to the future? – Deutsche Bank (Source: flow.db.com)
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent endorsed the president's tariffs during the weekend, telling Tucker Carlson: "I have a high confidence ratio, it's going to work."
He also stated: "Summer of 2024, Americans took more European vacations than they had in history. Summer of 2024, more Americans were using food banks than they ever have in history."
This statement reveals much about our divided economy; too many Americans struggle to make ends meet. We should hope that Trump's tariffs create positive change.
