Donald Trump Congress Address HIGHLIGHTS: 'Wokeness is trouble, wokeness is bad,' says US President

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• 05 Mar 2025, 08:49 AM

  India charging 70 pc auto tariffs; Is Trump's 100% claim wrong?

  
  
  As he doubled down on his threats to impose reciprocal tariffs, President Donald Trump accused India of charging tariffs higher than 100 per cent on autos, even though India has slashed the highest rate to 70 per cent. "India charges auto tariffs higher than 100 per cent," he said in his address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, outlining his policies. However, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in her budget last month that the tariffs on luxury cars were being cut to 70 per cent from 125 per cent.
  
  She also cut tariffs on high-end motorcycles from 50 per cent to 40 per cent.

  Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is to visit Washington to discuss tariffs with US officials.
  
  "Countless other nations charge us tremendously higher tariffs than we charge them," Trump said, justifying his programme of raising tariffs.

  The reciprocal tariffs would come into effect on April 2.

  "Whatever they tariff us," he declared, "we will tariff them."

  "China's average tariff on our products is twice what we charge them, and South Korea's average tariff is four times higher," he said, also mentioning Brazil.

  His speech came the day when his 25 per cent tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, and an additional 10 per cent came into effect.
  
  Trump admitted that tariffs would cause "a little disturbance" and "there could be an adjustment period" but asserted that it would make the US richer.

  That was meant to inoculate himself against criticism of the effects of the tariffs.

  The stock markets have been down by more than three per cent in the last two days and retailers have warned of impending increase in prices of groceries.
  
  Tariffs by India on imports from the US have been one of Trump's favourite talking points. In the past, he has mentioned the Indian tariffs on Harley-Davidson motorcycles and whiskey.

  (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by DNA staff and is published from IANS)

  
• 05 Mar 2025, 09:03 AM

  Trump mentions Musk

  
  
  Trump made special mention of Elon Musk, his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) which is tasked with trimming federal government.

   

  
• 05 Mar 2025, 09:01 AM

  'Very sad,' says Trump as Democrats walk out during his speech

  
  
  US President Donald Trump, while addressing a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, criticised Democrats for their lack of enthusiasm and refusal to applaud his remarks, calling it "very sad." During his speech, Trump expressed frustration, stating, "I look at the Democrats in front of me, and I realise there is absolutely nothing I can say to make them happy or to make them stand or smile or applaud. Nothing I can do."
  
  "I could find a cure to the most devastating disease, a disease that would wipe out entire nations or announce the answers to the greatest economy in history or the stoppage of crime to the lowest levels ever recorded. And these people sitting right here will not clap, will not stand, and certainly will not cheer for these astronomical achievements. They won't do it no matter what," he further said.
  
  The President, who has addressed Congress multiple times, expressed disappointment over the lack of bipartisan support, remarking, "Five times I've been up here. It's very sad, and it just shouldn't be this way."

  -IANS

  
• 05 Mar 2025, 09:01 AM

  India charges auto tariffs higher than 100%: Trump in address to Joint session of Congress.

   

  
• 05 Mar 2025, 07:23 AM

  Not officially termed a State of the Union

  
  
  President Donald Trump is set to deliver a significant address to a joint session of Congress, marking his first major speech since returning to the White House for his second term. This address, while not officially termed a State of the Union, serves as an opportunity for Trump to outline his legislative priorities and reflect on his early accomplishments.

  
• 05 Mar 2025, 07:22 AM

  Who is the Designated Survivor?

  
  
  Traditionally, during such addresses, a Cabinet official is designated as a "survivor" who does not attend the speech. This precaution ensures continuity of government in case of an emergency. However, the identity of the designated survivor for Trump's speech has not been disclosed yet.