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POLITICS

Tariff Timeout

Some phone diplomacy put a North American trade war on hold. 

Uncle Sam’s planned tariffs on Mexican and Canadian exports were paused Monday—along with Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports—after the countries each struck border security deals with the White House.

Both countries will deploy 10,000 illegal-drug-and-immigration-stopping personnel to their borders, with the U.S. agreeing to work with its southern neighbor to prevent high-powered weapons from entering Mexico. As part of their negotiations, Canada will implement their $1.3B border plan, appoint a “Fentanyl Czar,” and work with the U.S. to create a “Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime.” 

Meanwhile, the planned 10% tax on Chinese exports did kick in yesterday. In response, China announced its own measures, including levies of up to 15% on select U.S. exports starting next week.
 
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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Governments have different things on their agenda than God’s kingdom does. As global powers maneuver to have their way, God’s agenda is clear and unchanging. 

“What does the Lord your God ask of you except to fear the Lord your God by walking in all his ways, to love him, and to worship the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul? Keep the Lord’s commands and statutes I am giving you today, for your own good.” 
Deuteronomy 10:12–13 (CSB) (read full passage)

POLITICS

Work Trip

Marco Rubio got his first passport stamps as Secretary of State this week. 

Sunday, Rubio visited Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino, advising him to reduce the “influence of control” China has over the Panama Canal—which, per the Trump admin, may violate a 1999 treaty that handed control of the neutral waterway to Panama. Afterward, without mentioning the canal, Mulino announced Panama would end involvement in China’s Belt and Road initiative. 

Then Monday, Rubio stopped by El Salvador to sign an agreement on U.S.-El Salvador nuclear energy cooperation. 

During the signing ceremony, President Nayib Bukele offered to “outsource” part of El Salvador’s prison system to house illegal immigrants of any nationality facing U.S. deportation—and American criminals—for a “relatively low” fee. Critics say the offer violates U.S. laws prohibiting citizens from being deported. 

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Verse to consider whether you have a world-altering work trip or spend your day folding laundry… “Commit your activities to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” 
Proverbs 16:3 (CSB) (see full passage)

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POLITICS

Switching Umbrellas

The fate of USAID is up in the a-i-r.

Established during the Cold War to advance Western interests and streamline State Department-stalled foreign assistance, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) administers $40B/year in humanitarian and security aid for 100+ countries. 

Last week, Elon Musk championed “deleting” the agency, calling it “beyond repair.” On Monday, the White House announced that USAID would go back under the State Department’s umbrella while it reviews spending. USAID HQ doors were closed Monday and Tuesday.

The move has faced backlash. Dependent organizations are expressing concern for impoverished global communities left in the lurch, while Congressional Democrats say the White House can’t unilaterally dismantle a Congress-authorized-and-funded agency. Sec. of State Rubio says USAID spending “in alignment with the national interest” will continue, stressing that the agency isn’t an independent “global charity.” 

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CHRISTIAN REFLECTION
Believers may disagree about how governments should spend taxpayer dollars, but commands for Christians’ wallets are crystal clear: prioritize heavenly treasure, generously help the needy, and run from greed. Are you rich toward God in your personal spending habits?

“But seek his kingdom, and these things will be provided for you. Don’t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Make money-bags for yourselves that won’t grow old, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” 
Luke 12:31–34 (CSB) (read full passage)

President Trump welcomed his first foreign leader since reentering the White House: Israeli PM Netanyahu. The leaders met Tuesday to discuss how to “bring peace” to Israel’s neighborhood and counter “shared adversaries.” After the meeting, Trump reiterated that Palestinians should be removed from Gaza, saying the U.S. will “take over” the area, rebuild, and make Gaza an “international” area. 
 

On Monday, President Trump ordered the creation of a U.S. sovereign wealth fund—an account usually used to invest a government’s surplus—which could be used to buy TikTok. The order gives the Treasury and Commerce Departments 90 days to draft a plan and find funding (since the U.S. runs a deficit). The fund will likely need congressional approval.
 

Sweden is mourning the worst mass shooting in its history, which officials say left “around 10” people dead, including the shooter, at a center for adult education. Police believe the shooter acted alone but “cannot rule out” others being involved. Shootings are rare but increasing in Sweden, which has seen an uptick in violent crime in recent years.
 

The White House is cutting severance checks. Around 20,000 federal employees (1% of the federal workforce) have reportedly already taken the Trump admin’s “buyout” offer to avoid new in-office work requirements and government downsizing efforts—significantly fewer than the targeted 5-10%. The offer—which expires tomorrow—continues to face concerns over its legality and whether employees will be paid in full.
 

More than 300 earthquakes over 48 hours led thousands to evacuate Santorini, Greece. The volcanic Aegean Sea island known for its blue-domed, whitewashed architecture has been rattled repeatedly since Sunday, with tremors expected to continue for weeks. No major damage has been reported so far, but residents are leaving by ferry and emergency flights as a precaution.

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