Republicans weigh giving Stefanik a beefed-up version of a long-vacant role
Trump’s tariffs are a major setback for AI
The World at a Glance
Updated 4:14pm EDT
1
A Pentagon watchdog will investigate US Defense Sec. Pete Hegseth over his highly-publicized use of messaging app Signalto coordinate a US attack in Yemen.
2Stellantis temporarily laid off 900 US employees in response to Donald Trump’s 25% duty on cars built outside the US.
3Trump’s tariffs hit China particularly hard, imperiling sectors of Beijing’s economy that are already fragile.
4US stocks tumbled and the dollar fell the day after Donald Trump announced sweeping global tariffs, as investors scrambled to navigate the economic fallout.
5Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs marked the most drastic reimagining of global trade in generations, with far-reaching consequences.
6Hungary said it would withdraw from the International Criminal Court as it welcomed Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the court.
Emboldened Democrats plot ways to hammer Trump on tariffs
Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., told Semafor he’s drafting a plan to force a vote that would effectively scrap across-the-board levies set to kick in Saturday.
Kent Nishimura/ReutersTrump’s tariffs hit China where it hurts, but hand Beijing an opportunity
The duties deal a further blow to China as it attempts an economic comeback in the face of a domestic housing market crisis, unemployment woes, and deflation.
Tingshu Wang/ReutersTech industry braces for impact of Trump assault on global trade
The president’s latest slate of tariffs threaten the tech industry’s highly globalized supply chains.
Lucas Jackson/File Photo/ReutersUS stocks tumble, dollar weakens after Trump unveils sweeping tariffs
US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs has fueled recession fears and sent shockwaves through global stock markets.
Brendan McDermid/ReutersAD
Trump shakes up global trade with assault on friends and foes
‘Liberation Day’ marked the most drastic reimagining of global trade in generations, in a stark projection of American power.
Martin Pollard/ReutersTrump unveils baseline 10% tariff rate on all imports
Trump’s so-called “Liberation Day” announcement represents the largest upheaval in US trade policy in decades.
Leah Millis/ReutersMyanmar junta declares temporary ceasefire as aid groups scramble to deliver earthquake relief
The announcement came after several groups fighting against the junta’s regime also declared a truce to allow aid and rescue efforts.
Stringer/Reuters
politics
Carlos Barria/ReutersKent Nishimura/Reuters 
Zach D. Roberts/Reuters
Trump’s tariffs threaten to blot out his party’s tax cuts
Most Republicans are telling themselves the levies’ effects are temporary. If that proves untrue, the resulting peril for their agenda could be massive.
Carlos Barria/ReutersEmboldened Democrats plot ways to hammer Trump on tariffs
Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., told Semafor he’s drafting a plan to force a vote that would effectively scrap across-the-board levies set to kick in Saturday.
Kent Nishimura/ReutersRepublicans weigh giving Stefanik a beefed-up version of a long-vacant role
The Elected Leadership Committee spot would get more “heft” if it were offered to the former United Nations ambassador pick, one source told Semafor.
Zach D. Roberts/ReutersHow Democrats found their voters again
The desire to punish MAGA was, on Tuesday, more powerful than the desire to show up and thank Trump.
Republicans link arms with Trump amid tariff and spending stress
If they’re apprehensive about the political and economic risks ahead, most in his party aren’t showing it.
US judge drops federal corruption charges against NY mayor
The federal judge ruled that the government’s case against Eric Adams could not be reopened.
Trump faces tariff rebellion
As US President Donald Trump readies new levies to be announced Wednesday, he’s taking heat at home and abroad.
Democrats’ anti-Musk campaign pays off in Wisconsin
Republicans had hoped that by nationalizing the race, they could excite enough 2024 Donald Trump voters. But they came up short.
What’s behind Democrats’ bid to torpedo permanent Republican tax cuts
The party can’t stop the Trump cuts from indefinite extension. It can only hope to contain them.
White House signals no deadline for Musk’s DOGE departure
His “special government employee” status is set to expire at the end of May, but that may not mean much to the Trump administration.
Bipartisan pair of senators warn Trump over Houthi strikes
Jeff Merkley and Rand Paul say the attacks in Yemen risked emboldening the Iranian-backed group.
businessBrendan McDermid/Reuters
US stocks tumble, dollar weakens after Trump unveils sweeping tariffs
US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs has fueled recession fears and sent shockwaves through global stock markets.
Brendan McDermid/ReutersTrump’s tariffs hit China where it hurts, but hand Beijing an opportunity
The duties deal a further blow to China as it attempts an economic comeback in the face of a domestic housing market crisis, unemployment woes, and deflation.
Global markets await US tariff clarity on Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’
Global markets were rocked by volatility hours before US President Donald Trump announces his sweeping tariff plan this afternoon.
Rahm Emanuel is coming to Wall Street
The former Chicago mayor and 2028 presidential contender will rejoin Centerview Partners, historically an outpost of Democratic influence.
Top Nippon Steel executive to meet with Commerce’s Lutnick at pivotal moment
The key meeting is one of the final hurdles for Nippon Steel before it makes it case directly to the White House.
technologyLucas Jackson/File Photo/Reuters 
Annegret Hilse/File Photo/Reuters
Tech industry braces for impact of Trump assault on global trade
The president’s latest slate of tariffs threaten the tech industry’s highly globalized supply chains.
Lucas Jackson/File Photo/ReutersGoogle Gemini is shaking up its AI leadership ranks
Sissie Hsiao, who led the Gemini chatbot project after the launch of ChatGPT, will step down. She’s being replaced by Josh Woodward, who heads Google Labs.
Annegret Hilse/File Photo/ReutersElon Musk is building an AI giant — and Tesla will be central
Musk plays catch-up in the high-stakes AI race.
Signal downloads skyrocket in Yemen, US after leak
The news resurfaced privacy concerns, but may also suggest growing adoption from bad actors.
Tech mogul Jon McNeill on placing long-term AI bets
The GM board member and former Tesla president says “AI infrastructure is like the internet” in terms of its prolonged cycle.
New York’s longest-running play offers AI-powered live translations to attract new audiences
Attendees can select from 60 languages to hear the play in their preferred language.
net zero
Stringer/Reuters
Liz Hampton/Reuters
Carlos Barria/File Photo/Reuters
Trump’s tariffs are a major setback for AI
If the goal is to stand up new US industries, the rest of Trump’s agenda is at odds with his new trade barriers.
Stringer/ReutersThe SEC wants to ignore climate risks. They’re not going away
The Securities and Exchange Commission wants to let one of its signature accomplishments of recent years wither.
Liz Hampton/ReutersGlobal renewable energy capacity hits record expansion
The growth, however significant, is still short of the pace needed to achieve the COP28 goal of tripling capacity by 2030.
Carlos Barria/File Photo/Reutersgulf
Jon Nazca/Reuters
Abu Dhabi’s XRG invests in Mozambique gas
ADNOC’s international investment arm has acquired a stake in a LNG project in Mozambique.
Jon Nazca/ReutersTrump to visit Saudi Arabia for first international trip: report
The decision mirrors a move the US president made at the beginning of his first term, and cements Riyadh’s growing heft in global diplomacy.
‘Global South’ digital advocate wants a say on AI policy
Riyadh-based Digital Cooperation Organization represents 16 countries working to shape policies on artificial intelligence, misinformation, and e-commerce.
Kuwaiti government official accused of fixing raffles
The Ya Hala Kuwait Shopping Festival, which organized the raffle, has paused draws while authorities investigate a three-year scam allegedly involving up to 20 people.
Dubai real estate billionaire Alabbar eyes Montenegro
The developer behind the Burj Khalifa has submitted the highest bids for leases on a stretch of the Balkan country’s southern coastline, but locals are pushing back.
africa
Esa Alexander/Reuters
South Africa’s Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. Esa Alexander/File Photo/Reuters
South Africa’s coalition in jeopardy as budget row deepens
The second-largest party in the government voted opposed the fiscal plan passed by lawmakers.
Esa Alexander/ReutersSAfrica passes contentious budget without ANC securing top coalition partner’s support
The country has been in a budget deadlock for weeks.
South Africa’s Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. Esa Alexander/File Photo/ReutersTrump’s daughter’s father-in-law named senior adviser for Africa
Massad Boulos is set to travel to Africa to advance peace talks in the eastern DR Congo this week.
Flutterwave CEO targets profitability ‘this year’
The head of Africa’s most valuable unicorn said it was “open” to being acquired.
Africa’s AI ambitions take the spotlight in Rwanda
The first-ever global artificial intelligence summit on Africa begins this week.
The power struggle behind South Africa’s budget delay
Port and rail infrastructure have been major sticking points between the two biggest parties in the coalition government.
media
Mixed Signals: Nick Denton’s surprising return, courtesy of Elon Musk, Denmark, and Chinese cars
Why the Gawker founder is back online after disappearing from public life for almost a decade.
Journalists consider briefing room sit-in as Trump clashes with White House press corps
The White House Correspondents’ Association is mulling its response to a briefing room seating change.
Get out of their bubbles, or harden them? Newsom, Democrats debate their media future
The relentlessly anti-Trump style of the MeidasTouch Network is a stark contrast with California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s friendly interviews with conservative pundits.
A blogger in Moscow
Former CIA agent Larry C. Johnson, once a cable news regular and now a fringe figure, sat down with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov last month — and thinks no one’s listening to the Russians.
Audacy rolls out new podcast advertising tools
The company is also tapping a new head of podcasts.
security
Christian Klindt Soelbeck/Ritzau Scanpix/via Reuters
Flickr Creative Commons Photo/NNSA
Stringer/File Photo/Reuters
US scales back Greenland visit after criticism
US President Donald Trump’s expansionist overtures are creating a ‘permissive space’ for other world leaders bent on territorial acquisition, analysts argued.
Christian Klindt Soelbeck/Ritzau Scanpix/via ReutersDOGE reviews nuclear contractors
A review of National Nuclear Security Administration contractors has sparked concern within the agency that it could lose manpower at a critical time.
Flickr Creative Commons Photo/NNSAUK clamps down on Russian espionage, as Moscow ramps up pressure on Europe
Russia is increasingly reliant on private intelligence operatives and criminals to carry out espionage missions, UK security experts said.
Stringer/File Photo/ReutersAD