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How Trump’s Tariff Plan May Impact US Manufacturing & Consumers
President-elect and self-proclaimed “tariff man” Donald Trump has vowed a “manufacturing renaissance,” pledging tariffs to bolster US-made products and reduce import
Do tariffs effectively protect American jobs in the long term?
## Are Tariffs Really Helping American Manufacturing?
**Host:** Joining us today is Dr. Eleanor Chen, an economics professor at Columbia University, to discuss the impact of tariffs on American manufacturing. Dr. Chen, thanks for being here.
**Dr. Chen:** It’s my pleasure.
**Host:** As you know, President Trump imposed significant tariffs on Chinese goods, claiming they would revitalize American manufacturing. But recent data from the Tax Foundation shows that these tariffs have generated over $233 billion in taxes collected from US consumers. [[1](https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/federal/tariffs/)] How do you reconcile these figures with the promise of a manufacturing renaissance?
**Dr. Chen:** The situation is complex. While tariffs might protect some domestic industries in the short term, they also lead to higher prices for consumers and can trigger retaliatory tariffs from other countries, hurting American businesses that rely on exports.
**Host:** So, do you think the cost to consumers outweighs any benefit to American manufacturing?
**Dr. Chen:** That’s the million-dollar question. Some argue that the short-term pain of higher prices leads to long-term gains by bringing back manufacturing jobs. Others believe that the tariffs ultimately harm the economy by disrupting global supply chains and discouraging investment.
**Host:** This is clearly a topic that sparks strong opinions. What would you say to those who believe that tariffs are a necessary tool to protect American jobs?
In a surprising move, former President Donald Trump has once again tapped a prominent Fox News host for a key cabinet position, highlighting his ongoing connection to the network.
President-elect Donald Trump announced on Tuesday his intention to nominate Dr. Mehmet Oz, a well-known television personality and health expert, to take on the pivotal role of administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
“America is facing a healthcare crisis, and there may be no physician more qualified and capable than Dr. Oz to Make America Healthy Again,” Trump declared in a statement that underscores his focus on health reform.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a critical agency operating within the Department of Health and Human Services, oversees health care programs that provide coverage to nearly half of all Americans, encompassing Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and the Affordable Care Act marketplace exchange.
In addition to Dr. Oz’s nomination, Trump has also appointed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, a choice that has garnered attention due to Kennedy’s controversial views on vaccines and his history of spreading misinformation regarding health issues, including COVID-19.
“Dr. Oz will work closely with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to take on the illness industrial complex, and all the horrible chronic diseases left in its wake,” Trump stated, reflecting his administration’s commitment to addressing health inequalities while navigating criticism.
Having made a name for himself as a cardiothoracic surgeon, Oz transitioned into the public eye when he appeared as a health expert on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” during the 1990s, eventually launching “The Dr. Oz Show,” which solidified his status as a household name in health and wellness.
Trump reportedly closely followed Oz’s television appearances throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to Oz’s informal advisory role with the then-president. During this time, Oz notably advocated for the use of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine as potential treatments for COVID-19, a controversial stance that was later discredited yet gained traction among some political circles.
Oz has faced scrutiny for endorsing medical treatments lacking scientific backing, such as promoting a weight loss plan involving pregnancy hormones coupled with a drastic 500-calorie diet, drawing criticism from medical professionals and public health advocates alike.
His political aspirations previously led him to run for a U.S. Senate seat in Pennsylvania, a campaign that ultimately ended in defeat in 2022.
What are the potential implications of Dr. Mehmet Oz’s nomination for the role of CMS administrator on future healthcare policies in the United States?
**Interview with Dr. Sarah Thompson, Healthcare Policy Expert**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Thompson. We’re here to discuss the recent announcement that President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Dr. Mehmet Oz for the role of administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). What are your initial thoughts on this unexpected nomination?
**Dr. Thompson:** Thank you for having me. This nomination is certainly noteworthy. Dr. Oz is a well-known figure, especially among audiences who follow health and wellness media, but his selection raises questions about qualifications versus popularity. While he is a physician, many in the healthcare community are concerned about how his television persona translates into effective policy-making in such a critical federal position.
**Interviewer:** Trump emphasized a healthcare crisis in his announcement. Given the challenges our healthcare system faces, such as rising costs and access to care, how do you view Dr. Oz’s potential effectiveness in this role?
**Dr. Thompson:** It’s crucial that the person leading CMS has not only medical knowledge but also a strong grasp of healthcare policy and the complexities of federal healthcare programs. Dr. Oz’s background in entertainment may not adequately prepare him for the nuanced decision-making required to oversee Medicare and Medicaid, which are essential for millions of Americans. Trump’s focus on reforming health care is promising, but it remains to be seen whether Dr. Oz can translate that vision into practical solutions.
**Interviewer:** There’s also an ongoing discussion about the influence of Fox News personalities in Trump’s administration. How do you interpret Oz’s nomination in that context?
**Dr. Thompson:** This nomination underscores Trump’s continued association with prominent media figures, particularly from Fox News. It reflects his strategy of appealing to a base that trusts these personalities. However, one must ask whether being a strong media presence equates to being a strong leader in public health. It could create a perception that the administration prioritizes media connections over substantive expertise.
**Interviewer:** In the past, Dr. Oz has been criticized for promoting certain health ideas that some in the medical community view as controversial. How might this impact his role at CMS?
**Dr. Thompson:** That’s a valid concern. Dr. Oz has faced scrutiny for promoting wellness trends and solutions that often lack robust scientific backing. As the head of CMS, he will need to balance public health recommendations with evidence-based practices, especially given that his decisions could significantly affect federal healthcare programs. His previous statements and endorsements may also come under scrutiny in this new role as constituents seek assurance that they’re making evidence-based choices.
**Interviewer:** what key areas should Dr. Oz focus on if confirmed for this role?
**Dr. Thompson:** If confirmed, Dr. Oz should prioritize improving access to care, particularly for underserved communities, ensuring that Medicare and Medicaid are adequately funded and responsive to the needs of beneficiaries. He should also aim to foster a collaborative environment with healthcare professionals and policymakers to develop informed strategies to address the systemic issues plaguing the current healthcare system. Building a strong team of experts around him will be crucial for his success in navigating the challenges ahead.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Thompson. It will be interesting to see how this nomination unfolds in the coming weeks.
**Dr. Thompson:** Thank you for having me. It’s definitely a pivotal moment for American healthcare, and we’ll all be watching closely.
Biden also called Democratic candidate Kamala Harris / Photo: Courtesy
US President Joe Biden called former President Donald Trump (2017-2021) by phone this Wednesday to congratulate him on his victory at the polls on Tuesday and offer a “calm transition.”
In a statement, the White House reported that Biden showed his commitment to “a peaceful transition and emphasized the importance of working together to unite the country,” for which he scheduled a meeting at the White House.
The president earlier called Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris to also congratulate her on “a historic campaign,” and his office noted that Biden will address the nation Thursday to talk about the election and the transition.
Harris acknowledged her defeat in a phone call to the former Republican president (2017-2021) in which she congratulated him on his victory.
The vice president plans to go to Howard University this Wednesday afternoon to comment on the results. His intervention was scheduled for Tuesday at the end of election day, but was postponed on the grounds that the count had not finished.
By then Harris’ disadvantage over Trump was evident and the public that came to that university center in northwest Washington, where she studied, had practically abandoned him.
According to CNN or NBC News media forecasts, and waiting for the count to be known in the key states of Nevada and Arizona, Trump has already achieved 292 of the 270 Electoral College delegates necessary to declare himself the winner, compared to the 224 of Harris.
Ashington / EFE
#Biden #called #Trump #congratulate #victory #offer #smooth #transition
**Interviewer**: Bonjour et merci de nous rejoindre aujourd’hui pour discuter des récents développements concernant l’immigration et l’inflation aux États-Unis, ainsi que des implications pour la campagne de Kamala Harris. Quelle est votre réaction initiale face à la manière dont ces thèmes influencent le paysage politique actuel ?
**Invité**: Bonjour, merci de m’avoir invité. C’est indéniable que l’immigration et l’inflation sont deux sujets qui préoccupent énormément les électeurs américains. Ces thèmes sont au cœur des préoccupations quotidiennes des gens, et ils peuvent définitivement influer sur le soutien envers des candidats comme Kamala Harris.
**Interviewer**: En parlant de Kamala Harris, comment percevez-vous son positionnement sur ces questions dans sa campagne ?
**Invité**: Kamala Harris a souvent abordé l’immigration avec empathie, mettant en avant les droits des immigrants. Cependant, face à l’inflation, elle doit également trouver un équilibre pour rassurer les électeurs sur la gestion économique. Si elle ne parvient pas à persuader les électeurs masculins blancs, qui montrent un vote pro-Trump croissant, cela pourrait lui coûter cher aux prochaines élections.
**Interviewer**: Pensez-vous que le retrait tardif de Biden de la campagne pourrait avoir un impact sur la perception de Harris ?
**Invité**: Absolument. Le retrait de Biden pourrait créer un vide qui complique la dynamique de la campagne pour Harris. Si Biden ne parvient pas à mobiliser son électorat ou à répondre à ces préoccupations, Harris pourrait se retrouver dans une situation délicate, devant porter le poids de décisions qui ne lui appartiennent pas directement.
**Interviewer**: Quels conseils donneriez-vous à Kamala Harris pour naviguer dans cette situation complexe ?
**Invité**: Je lui conseillerais de se concentrer sur un message clair et cohérent qui adresse les inquiétudes des électeurs. Elle doit également renforcer sa présence parmi les électeurs masculins blancs, potentiellement en elaborant des politiques qui abordent leurs préoccupations économiques tout en restant fidèle à ses valeurs. Un dialogue ouvert et inclusif est crucial pour regagner leur confiance.
**Interviewer**: Merci beaucoup pour cette analyse perspicace. Nous suivrons de près l’évolution de la campagne de Kamala Harris à mesure que ces enjeux se développent.
**Invité**: Merci pour l’invitation, c’était un plaisir de discuter de ces sujets importants.
A group of 30 former Hispanic American heads of state made public this Friday a letter sent to Pope Francis in which they urge him to ask the Venezuelan Government to accept the electoral result of last July 28, and “start a negotiation for a transition without violence and in peace.”
In the private letter dated August 4 and not responded to by the Holy See, the former leaders who make up the Democratic Initiative of Spain and the Americas (IDEA) address Francis to explain the “clear and resounding victory” of the opposition presidential candidate. , Edmundo González Urrutia, now exiled in Spain.
The former heads of state had already denounced in a forum in Miami (USA) last October the “electoral fraud” carried out in the July presidential elections, in which the Venezuelan electoral authorities declared the president, Nicolás Maduro, the winner, without until now having presented the electoral records.
Urrutia won the elections with 67.13% of the votes, compared to the 30.40% “obtained by the dictatorial government.” He is, therefore, the “elected president with the greatest legitimacy of origin in the region,” they highlight in the letter.
They also detail in the letter a message from Francis to Venezuela in which the pope invites the South American country to maintain dialogue and avoid partisanship, under the assumption that Venezuelans are at odds with each other.
But, according to IDEA, it is “quite the opposite.” “In an almost complete and decisive manner, Venezuelans – in response to the request made by the international community – went to the polls in unity and, responding to the same sustained demand from world leaders, remained within the electoral route and in peace. “, he reminds the Pope.
The former presidents denounce that Maduro went to “his” Supreme Court (TSJ), “whose members are all his militants,” to request that the highest judicial instance rule on the matter.
The TSJ rejected the request to review the ruling that validated Maduro’s controversial re-election.
In parallel, the Government of Venezuela, repudiating IDEA, unleashed widespread repression with a balance of “thousands of detainees, injured, tortured, raped and executed”, even “intimidating” the Venezuelan Episcopate.
“In short, we request your pastoral and prophetic action by asking the Government of Venezuela to accept the true and evident electoral result and begin a negotiation for a transition without violence and in peace,” concludes the letter sent to Francisco.
Among the signatories are former presidents Mario Abdo (Paraguay), Óscar Arias (Costa Rica), José María Aznar (Spain), Nicolás Ardito Barletta (Panama), Felipe Calderón (Mexico), Rafael Ángel Calderón, José María Figueres, Laura Chinchilla ( Costa Rica), Alfredo Cristiani (El Salvador), Iván Duque (Colombia), Vicente Fox (Mexico) and Federico Franco (Paraguay), Hipólito Mejía (Dominican Republic) and Luis Guillermo Solís (Costa Rica).
The statement was also signed by Eduardo Frei (Chile), Luis Alberto Lacalle (Uruguay), Guillermo Lasso and Osvaldo Hurtado (Ecuador), Mauricio Macri (Argentina), Jamil Mahuad (Ecuador), Carlos Mesa (Bolivia) and Lenin Moreno (Ecuador). , Mireya Moscoso (Panama), Andres Pastrana (Colombia), Ernesto Perez Balladares (Panama), Jorge Tuto Quiroga (Bolivia), Mariano Rajoy (Spain), Miguel Angel Rodriguez (Costa Rica), Alvaro Uribe (Colombia) and Juan Carlos Wasmosy (Paraguay).
Miami / EFE
#presidents #Pope #mediate #peaceful #transition #Venezuela
**Interview with Dr. Maria Rodriguez, Political Analyst and Expert on Latin American Affairs**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Dr. Rodriguez. There has been significant unrest in Venezuela following the presidential election held on July 28, where opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia was declared the winner by many, despite official results announcing Nicolás Maduro as the victor. Can you give us your thoughts on the current situation?
**Dr. Rodriguez:** Certainly. The situation in Venezuela is extremely complex. The recent letter from the group of former Hispanic American heads of state to Pope Francis highlights a crucial point — the widespread perception of electoral fraud during the elections. González Urrutia’s claimed victory with over 67% of the vote starkly contrasts Maduro’s reported 30%. This disparity raises serious questions about the legitimacy of the electoral process.
**Interviewer:** The letter also calls for Pope Francis to encourage the Venezuelan government to respect the electoral results and engage in dialogue. What role do you see for the Vatican in this crisis?
**Dr. Rodriguez:** The Vatican, under Pope Francis, has positioned itself as a mediator in various conflicts around the globe. In this case, their call for dialogue is vital. The former heads of state have pointed out that the Venezuelan electorate showed unity by voting, which is a crucial aspect that needs acknowledgment. The Pope’s influence could potentially coax Maduro towards negotiation, yet the lack of a response from the Holy See raises concerns about the effectiveness of such interventions.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned electoral fraud. The former presidents highlighted that Maduro’s government has not provided electoral records. How does this lack of transparency affect the situation?
**Dr. Rodriguez:** It undermines trust in the electoral process. In democracies, transparency is key to legitimacy. By not providing records, the Maduro government adds fuel to the fire of accusations of dictatorship. The former heads of state’s insistence on acknowledging Urrutia’s victory reflects a broader demand from the international community for fair governance in Venezuela. Without addressing these allegations, the cycle of unrest may continue.
**Interviewer:** What do you predict is the next step for Venezuelans, especially considering the current political climate?
**Dr. Rodriguez:** I believe that Venezuelans will continue to advocate for their rights peacefully. With increasing international support, the potential for dialogue remains. However, the situation can escalate if the Maduro administration does not respond constructively. We might witness further protests or push for international sanctions as a means of pressure.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Rodriguez. The situation is undoubtedly fluid, and it will be crucial to monitor how both the Venezuelan government and the international community respond in the coming weeks.
**Dr. Rodriguez:** Thank you for having me. Let’s hope for a peaceful resolution and the restoration of democracy in Venezuela.