President Donald Trump made headlines on Thursday with a series of announcements and remarks spanning both domestic and international policy. The president addressed topics ranging from U.S. relations with China and Cuba to the situation in Gaza and the Venezuelan oil industry, while also attending the premiere of a documentary about First Lady Melania Trump.
Speaking to Fox News while en route to Florida for the documentary premiere, Trump cautioned the United Kingdom against deepening ties with China. This warning came hours after Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with President Xi Jinping in Beijing, seeking to reset relations after a period of strain. Trump stated that engaging in business with China is "very dangerous."
Domestically, Trump declared a national emergency regarding Cuba, citing the communist regime's alignment with hostile foreign powers and terrorist groups. According to an executive order, the policies and actions of the Cuban government constitute "an unusual and extraordinary threat, which has its source in whole or substantial part outside the United States, to the national security and foreign policy of the United States." The order also threatened tariffs on nations that supply oil to Cuba.
In other foreign policy news, the Trump administration announced it was easing sanctions on the Venezuelan oil industry following the capture of Nicolás Maduro earlier in the month. The U.S. Treasury authorized transactions involving the government of Venezuela and state-owned oil company PdVSA, aiming to increase production in the South American country. These transactions were described as "ordinarily incident and necessary to the lifting, exportation, reexportation, sale, resale, supply, storage, marketing, purchase, delivery, or transportation of Venezuelan-."
Regarding the situation in Gaza, Trump expressed confidence that Hamas would disarm under a U.S.-backed ceasefire plan. Speaking during a Cabinet meeting, Trump stated, "And now we want to get Hamas, no guns, right? To disarm." However, regional analysts have warned that Hamas has no intention of disarming and could potentially obstruct Trump's Gaza plan. Hamas officials also reportedly pushed back on Trump's claim.
The day also saw President and First Lady Melania Trump attending the world premiere of the documentary "MELANIA" at the Trump Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The film, from Amazon MGM Studios and directed by Brett Ratner, chronicles Melania Trump's life leading up to Trump's 2025 inauguration, from her home in Trump Tower to Mar-a-Lago, and includes behind-the-scenes moments at the White House. Trump noted that Melania has been "more outspoken" this term.
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