President Donald Trump accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of trying to back out of a rare earth deal with the U.S., warning that he would face significant problems if he did so. Trump claimed that Zelenskyy was attempting to renegotiate the deal on rare earth minerals after previously expressing interest in signing an agreement with the U.S. for minerals and security. The Ukrainian president’s visit to the White House failed to result in a deal, causing tensions between the two leaders. Trump also mentioned progress on a ceasefire deal between Ukraine and Russia, stating that he did not believe Russian President Vladimir Putin would go back on his word for a partial ceasefire.
During a press conference on Air Force One, Trump discussed various trade issues, including tariff exemptions for Mexico and the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. He expressed displeasure at comments made by Putin questioning Zelenskyy’s credibility but suggested that he believed Putin would ultimately cooperate. Trump highlighted the impact of secondary tariffs on Venezuela, stating that such tariffs prevent disobedience of U.S. orders. He also indicated plans to impose tariffs on all countries across the board as part of his trade policies. Despite discussions about running for a possible third term, Trump initially dismissed the idea, stating that the 2020 election was “totally rigged” but refusing to take credit for a potential third try.
Trump addressed questions about trade relations with Asia, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to being more generous than other countries in their trade practices. He also claimed that his administration had experienced the best 100 days compared to any other president. When pressed by reporters about a possible third term, however, Trump avoided the topic and emphasized that there was still a long time left in his current term. Regarding his relationship with Putin, Trump expressed confidence that Putin would uphold any agreements made, despite recent remarks that questioned Zelenskyy’s credibility. The reported tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy over the rare earth deal further highlighted the complexities of international relations and trade negotiations.
Trump’s comments suggested a focus on implementing tariffs as part of his trade policies, with an emphasis on holding countries accountable for their actions. He discussed the impact of secondary tariffs on Venezuela and expressed plans to extend tariffs to other countries. Trump’s remarks highlighted the importance of trade agreements and security guarantees in shaping diplomatic relations between the U.S. and other nations. Despite tensions with Zelenskyy and Putin, Trump remained optimistic about the potential for cooperation and progress on various issues, including a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. The discussions about potential third-term candidacy and the administration’s approach to trade with other countries reflected Trump’s ongoing engagement with domestic and international affairs during his time in office.
