PR in the Philippines

` tags. ```xml A recent study revealed a nearly 28% increase in pregnancy-related death rates in the U.S. between 2018 and 2022, highlighting significant disparities across states, races, and ethnicities. The study, published in on April 9, analyzed four years of nationwide data from the CDC. Researchers identified 6,283 pregnancy-related deaths during this period. The rate climbed from 25.3 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2018 to a high of 44.1 in 2021, before slightly decreasing to 32.6 in 2022. The increase was observed across all analyzed age groups, with those aged 25-39 experiencing the most significant rise, according to the findings. The research did not explore the reasons behind the increased death rates during the four-year span. However, the authors suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic may have impacted maternal health and the overall healthcare system, especially in 2021. Dr. Rose Molina, a study author and ob-gyn at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, noted "a large variation by state" in pregnancy-related death rates. Alabama had the highest rate at 59.7 deaths per 100,000 live births, followed by Mississippi at 58.2. California had the lowest rate at 18.5 deaths per 100,000 live births, followed by Minnesota at 19.1. Molina suggests that variations in access to prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum care, along with state Medicaid coverage differences, could explain these disparities. "There really shouldn't be this level of variation across the states, and we need to do better across all the states," Molina stated. "One of the points we made in that article was that if all states could have performed as well as the highest performing state, like California, we could have avoided 2,679 pregnancy-related deaths" during the four-year period. The study also revealed that the pregnancy-related death rate among American Indian and Alaska Native women was 3.8 times higher than that of white women. Similarly, the rate among non-Hispanic Black women was 2.8 times higher compared to white women. Molina explains that various studies have indicated that disparities in access based on income or location, as well as biases within the healthcare system, contribute to these racial and ethnic inequities in maternal health outcomes. The count of pregnancy-related deaths between 2018 and 2022 includes 1,891 late maternal deaths, defined as deaths "from any cause related to or aggravated by pregnancy" occurring from a little over a month up to a year after the end of pregnancy, according to the research. The researchers wrote, "Late maternal death occurs in what could be a health care delivery gap between obstetric care and transition to primary care." American Indian and Alaska Native women also exhibited the highest rate of late maternal death, followed by non-Hispanic Black women, according to Molina. The study suggests that "these groups may face disparities in access to postnatal care, as well as other socioeconomic and systemic challenges impacting maternal health outcomes." The study determined that cardiovascular disease was the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths overall. Cancer, mental and behavioral disorders, and drug or alcohol-induced deaths were contributing factors to late maternal death. The U.S. has the among , and Molina states that the study "illustrates why we cannot take our eyes off of maternal health." "It's important that we not lose sight of how maternal health needs to be a focus of investment in the years to come—that we still have work to do," Molina emphasized. "We need to continue investing in the infrastructure [and] the policies that ensure access to high-quality pregnancy care for everyone." ```

In response to tariffs imposed by the U.S. under Donald Trump, China responded in part by implementing export controls on various rare earth elements. These critical materials are essential for the U.S., as they are vital for producing weapons, computer chips, and electric vehicles. China dominates the production of these rare earth materials, and experts believe it will take the U.S. several years to establish its own supply chain. As trade tensions between the U.S. and China escalate, rare earths have become a significant point of leverage for China. While China may not want to completely cut off the U.S. from these resources, primarily due to the revenue generated from exports, Lyle Trytten, a critical minerals expert, warns that further restrictions could have severe repercussions across numerous industries. He states that the U.S. lacks the capacity to produce the materials necessary for its essential devices. Rare earth’s importance The importance of rare earths has grown over time due to the world's increasing dependence on powerful computers and the pursuit of cleaner energy sources. For example, dysprosium and terbium are components of smartphone speakers. Neodymium is used to power electric vehicle motors. Tungsten, a very hard metal, is used in ammunition, semiconductor chips, and alloys found in jet engines and deep-drilling equipment. China mines and processes almost all of these materials, having invested heavily in building the necessary infrastructure for decades. Consequently, many companies, including Tesla and Apple, source their rare earths from China. China has recently been willing to use this dominance as a geopolitical tool. In 2010, China restricted rare earth exports to Japan during a period of heightened tensions. In the last couple of years, Beijing has placed restrictions on other essential minerals, including gallium, germanium, and graphite. According to an engineer at RAND, it is now predictable that China will use this approach as its "chosen weapon" in response to U.S. actions, such as export controls on specific technologies or tariffs. He notes that China's dominance in separating heavy rare earths from light rare earths creates a vulnerability in the supply chain. The White House acknowledged the fragility of the current system when it excluded critical minerals from its tariff regime this month. However, this did not prevent China from imposing export controls on seven types of rare earth elements to all countries on Friday. While not a ban, this decision gives Beijing control over access to these elements. China asserts that its export controls will not affect the rare earth supply chain. Notably, China excluded several key rare earth elements, including neodymium and praseodymium. However, the controls demonstrate China's willingness to use these materials as a bargaining tool and its potential to escalate restrictions if tensions increase. Trytten describes this as an "opening shot." The listed elements also include those used in microchips for AI, highlighting the ongoing competition between the two countries. Villalobos anticipates a short-term slowdown in rare earth exports as companies apply for licenses to comply with the export controls. He expects a temporary dip in exports followed by an increase as more companies obtain their licenses. Villalobos warns that a greater threat to U.S. companies could emerge once China begins collecting detailed information about the rare earth market, which could then allow China to impose damaging sanctions on specific companies. This could affect U.S. defense companies like Lockheed Martin, which relies on rare earths for missile systems and fighter jets. He explains that the more information China gathers from exporters, the more easily it can target specific companies that it wants to restrict access to rare earths. U.S. capacity Many experts have long advocated for the U.S. to reduce its dependence on China for rare earths. Some believe that mining rare earths domestically is the solution. Other entrepreneurs have initiated projects to build mines and processing facilities across the U.S. Trump's tariffs could incentivize these shifts, pushing American companies to enhance supply chain resilience. Villalobos suggests that this may spur investments, which are a significant obstacle to diversifying critical mineral supply chains. However, Trytten notes that rare earths and other minerals are extremely complex to process, and the U.S. lacks the necessary infrastructure to rapidly scale up these efforts. The number of graduates from U.S. mining engineering programs has steadily declined in recent decades, potentially leading to a shortage of expertise. Trytten cautions against rushing new mining projects into production, stating that historically, fast-tracked projects in the metal industry tend to be poorly executed. Because of these factors, Trytten argues that even if a new wave of mining projects begins now, they will not yield significant results until after Trump leaves office. He estimates that it will take eight to ten years to establish significant new capacity for many of these raw materials and questions whether Trump can withstand the challenges for that long. Other experts argue that certain aspects of Trump's tariffs hinder their ability to expand infrastructure within the U.S. On the Rare Earth Exchanges, Daniel O'Connor stated that tariffed materials like steel and aluminum are essential for mining and processing, urging against tariffs on materials needed to build infrastructure. Rare earths in Greenland? Some have speculated that rare earths are a key factor in Donald Trump's interest in Greenland. Tech leaders such as Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos have invested in companies exploring for rare earths there. However, extracting resources from Greenland presents significant challenges. Trytten points out that Greenland has limited domestic energy production, and similar resources can be found in many other locations, making the Arctic region a less desirable mining location. Regardless of the viability of Greenland, many U.S. companies are now compelled to seek non-Chinese rare earth options, even if it takes years to develop them. Villalobos emphasizes that almost every automated device relies on some type of rare earth magnet. He warns that any company that manufactures these devices, whether in the U.S., Japan, or any country outside of China, will feel the impact of these restrictions and could potentially become targets for sanctions in the future. ```

Beijing has dismissed as "totally unfounded" Ukraine's assertion that numerous Chinese citizens are fighting alongside Russian forces in the ongoing conflict. President Zelenskyy of Ukraine stated on Tuesday that Ukrainian forces had apprehended two Chinese nationals fighting with the Russian army in the Donetsk region. He also claimed to possess intelligence indicating a "significantly more" presence of Chinese individuals within Russian ranks. This marks the first instance of Ukraine alleging the presence of Chinese fighters on its territory since the commencement of Russia's invasion nearly three years ago. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated in Beijing that China is committed to "constructively resolving the Ukraine crisis politically.” During a press briefing on Wednesday, Lin stated that "the Chinese government consistently urges its citizens to avoid conflict zones, abstain from engaging in any form of armed conflict, and particularly refrain from participating in military operations of any party involved." His remarks suggest that the captured Chinese individuals joined the Russian forces independently. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, China has offered strong diplomatic backing to Russia. Additionally, Beijing has provided economic support through trade in energy and consumer goods, but it has not intentionally supplied Russia with troops, weaponry, or military expertise. China presented a vague peace proposal that was quickly rejected by most observers. Previously, both Ukraine and the United States have reported that thousands of North Korean soldiers are assisting Russia under an agreement between the Kremlin and Pyongyang. Both Russia and Ukraine permit foreign soldiers to enlist in their respective armies. U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated at a briefing in Washington on Tuesday that the U.S. is "aware" of reports regarding the capture of Chinese citizens fighting for Russia in Ukraine, deeming them "disturbing." Bruce asserted that “China plays a major role in enabling Russia's war in Ukraine," and that China provides almost 80% of the dual-use items Russia needs to sustain the war. Tensions between Washington and Beijing have increased in recent years due to disputes over trade, technology, and geopolitical influence. The Kremlin has essentially rejected a U.S. proposal for an immediate and complete 30-day cessation of hostilities in Ukraine, while the Kyiv government has agreed to it. Both sides are reportedly preparing for spring-summer military offensives. Meanwhile, both nations are engaged in a war of attrition along the approximately 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, targeting each other with long-range attacks. Vadym Filashkin, the regional head, reported that the city of Kramatorsk in eastern Donetsk, Ukraine, suffered a "massive drone attack" overnight, resulting in injuries to an 11-year-old girl, her mother, and her grandmother. The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia launched 55 Shahed and decoy drones at the country overnight. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that air defenses intercepted 158 Ukrainian drones over 11 Russian regions overnight, with no reported casualties or damage. However, several Russian regions temporarily suspended flights at their airports due to the attack, and the Defense Ministry stated that some Ukrainian drones reached Russia’s Orenburg region in the southern Urals, approximately 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) east of the Ukrainian border. —Christopher Bodeen contributed from Taipei, Taiwan. ```

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Indonesia is prepared to provide temporary haven for Palestinian medical patients and children orphaned as a result of the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, according to President Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday. Subianto stated, "We stand ready to evacuate those wounded, traumatized, or orphaned to Indonesia, and are prepared to dispatch planes for their transport." He also mentioned he has directed his foreign minister to promptly engage with Palestinian authorities to discuss the evacuation strategies. He indicated Indonesia's readiness to evacuate an initial group of roughly 1,000 individuals, who will remain in the country until their injuries have healed and Gaza is deemed safe for their return. Subianto clarified that this initiative does not aim for permanent resettlement. Subianto made these remarks prior to his departure for Abu Dhabi, the first stop on a week-long tour of the Middle East, which also encompasses visits to Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, and Jordan. He mentioned he would consult with these nations, some of which have also provided refuge to Palestinians for humanitarian purposes, regarding the planned evacuations. He further noted that other nations have urged Indonesia to take on a greater role in finding a solution to the Gaza conflict. Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation, has historically been a strong advocate for the Palestinian cause. “This is a complex issue; it’s not simple, but I believe it motivates the Indonesian government to assume a more proactive stance,” Subianto stated.

PANAMA CITY — According to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Panama Canal is under constant threat from China, but the U.S. and Panama will collaborate to ensure its security. These comments from Hegseth provoked a strong reaction from the Chinese government, which questioned who actually poses a threat to the Canal and suggested others would decide for themselves. Hegseth, speaking at the opening of a new U.S.-funded dock at the Vasco Nuñez de Balboa Naval Base following a meeting with Panama President José Raúl Mulino, stated that the U.S. would prevent China or any other nation from endangering the canal's operations. He added that the U.S. and Panama have significantly enhanced their defense and security cooperation in recent weeks. Hegseth mentioned the ports at both ends of the canal, which are managed by a Hong Kong consortium currently selling its controlling interest to another consortium that includes BlackRock Inc. Hegseth stated that China-based companies still control key infrastructure in the canal area, potentially enabling surveillance activities across Panama, making both Panama and the United States less secure, prosperous, and sovereign, a situation President Donald Trump finds unacceptable. Hegseth met with Mulino for two hours on Tuesday morning before visiting the naval base, formerly the U.S. Rodman Naval Station. Hegseth shared a photo on X of himself and Mulino, expressing his honor in speaking with Mulino and praising Panama's hard work, noting that increased security cooperation would benefit both nations. Mulino and Hegseth released a joint statement late Tuesday. A vague part of the statement implied discussions about U.S. toll payments for ships crossing the canal, suggesting a mechanism for compensation regarding tolls and charges would be established within the canal's framework. Panama’s Foreign Relations Ministry did not immediately offer clarification. However, there was a significant discrepancy between the Spanish and English versions. The Spanish version stated that "Secretary Hegseth recognized the leadership and inalienable sovereignty of Panama over the Panama Canal and its adjacent areas," a sentence absent from the English version. The visit occurs amidst ongoing tension surrounding Trump’s claims that the U.S. is being overcharged for using the Panama Canal and that China exerts influence over its operations, allegations Panama has refuted. Shortly after the meeting, the Chinese Embassy in Panama criticized the U.S. government in a statement on X, accusing the U.S. of using "blackmail" to advance its interests and asserting Panama’s sovereign right to conduct business with whomever it chooses, free from U.S. interference. The embassy accused the U.S. of sensationalizing a "theoretical Chinese threat" to undermine Chinese-Panamanian cooperation for its own geopolitical gain. Following a phone conversation between Hegseth and Mulino in February, the U.S. State Department claimed an agreement was reached to waive canal passage fees for U.S. warships, a claim Mulino publicly denied. Trump has even suggested that the U.S. should never have ceded the canal to Panama and should potentially reclaim it. Concerns about China stemmed from the Hong Kong consortium's 25-year lease on ports at both ends of the canal. The Panamanian government announced an audit of the lease, concluding on Monday that irregularities existed. However, the Hong Kong consortium had already announced that CK Hutchison would sell its controlling stake in the ports to a consortium including BlackRock Inc., effectively placing the ports under American control upon completion of the sale. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed Mulino during a February visit that Trump believes China's presence in the canal area might violate the treaty that led to the U.S. transferring the waterway to Panama in 1999. That treaty stipulates the permanent neutrality of the American-built canal. Mulino has denied China's influence on the canal's operations, expressing frustration in February at the persistence of the narrative and stating a focus on issues of mutual interest rather than unfounded realities. The U.S. constructed the canal in the early 1900s to facilitate the movement of commercial and military ships between its coasts. Washington relinquished control of the waterway to Panama on December 31, 1999, under a treaty signed in 1977 by President Jimmy Carter. “I want to be very clear, China did not build this canal,” Hegseth said Tuesday. “China does not operate this canal and China will not weaponize this canal. Together with Panama in the lead, we will keep the canal secure and available for all nations through the deterrent power of the strongest, most effective and most lethal fighting force in the world.” ```

WASHINGTON — As President Donald Trump's tariffs cause turmoil in global markets, some prominent figures and podcasters who previously supported his campaign are now expressing concerns. Dave Portnoy, owner of Barstool Sports, hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, and Elon Musk are among those, including some Republicans in Congress, who are voicing opposition to the tariffs scheduled to take effect on Wednesday. Here's a summary of their statements: Ben Shapiro The conservative commentator, who initially supported Ron DeSantis in the GOP primary before endorsing Trump, stated on the "All-In" podcast on Saturday that he found the justifications for Trump's tariff proposals to be "contradictory." "I believe the rollout of the tariff plan was handled as poorly as possible," Shapiro commented. In a video posted on Monday to his YouTube channel with over 7 million subscribers, Shapiro reiterated his argument, stating that the notion that tariffs are beneficial and lead to wealth is "really problematic." "The idea that this is inherently positive and strengthens the American economy is misguided," Shapiro stated. "It's false. The idea that it will result in a significant return of manufacturing is also untrue." Dave Portnoy "Welcome to Orange Monday," Portnoy announced on his "Davey Day Trader" financial livestream just before the markets opened this week, emphasizing that his commentary is "without political agenda" and aimed solely at making money. Following last week's market downturn, Portnoy reported losses of $7 million "in stocks and crypto," which he revised on Monday to an estimated $20 million, or up to 15% of his net worth. However, Portnoy affirmed his continued support for Trump, whom he described as "a smart guy." "I believe they possess greater understanding than I do regarding these tariffs. I also think he’s engaging in a high-stakes maneuver," Portnoy remarked last week on his livestream. "I’m going to stand by him for a few days, a few weeks, and observe how this unfolds." Established by Portnoy in 2003 as a free sports and gambling newspaper, Barstool has evolved into a digital platform with hundreds of millions of followers, covering sports, lifestyle, and entertainment. Portnoy has consistently supported Trump since his initial endorsement in 2016, including interviewing the president at the White House in 2020. Joe Rogan Rogan, a highly influential podcaster who endorsed Trump just before last year's election, criticized Trump's conflict with Canada as "stupid" in March and lamented that Canadians "booed us over tariffs" during sporting events between teams from both countries. Rogan has also recently disagreed with Trump on other issues, including widespread deportations, describing a recent operation to detain immigrants as "horrific." Weeks before Election Day, Rogan recorded a nearly three-hour podcast interview with Trump, providing the Republican nominee with a platform to emphasize the hypermasculine tone that characterized much of his 2024 White House campaign. Bill Ackman The pro-Trump hedge fund manager cautioned on X on Sunday that "we are heading for a self-induced, economic nuclear winter" unless Trump adopts a more cautious strategy, comparing the full implementation of tariffs to "economic nuclear war." In a subsequent post on Sunday, Ackman criticized Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick as being "indifferent to the stock market and the economy crashing." The following day, Ackman apologized for his criticism, suggesting that Lutnick—formerly the head of Cantor Fitzgerald—could potentially benefit from the tariffs due to his firm's bond investments. However, the hedge fund manager also reiterated his concerns regarding Trump’s tariffs. "I am simply frustrated observing what I believe to be a significant policy error unfolding, particularly after our country and the president have made considerable economic progress that is now jeopardized by the tariffs," he posted on X. Elon Musk Even Elon Musk, the billionaire and top advisor to Trump on federal government reform, is expressing reservations about tariffs, noting they could raise costs for his electric car company, Tesla. "I hope it's agreed that both Europe and the United States should ideally move, in my view, to a zero-tariff situation, effectively creating a free trade zone between Europe and North America," Musk said during a video conference with Italian politicians. On Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures," White House trade advisor Peter Navarro claimed that Musk "doesn't understand" the situation. Musk responded on Tuesday, labeling Navarro "truly a moron" and "dumber than a sack of bricks." —Associated Press writer Ali Swenson in New York contributed to this report.

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Octavio Dotel, a veteran of 15 MLB seasons with 13 different teams, including a World Series title with the St. Louis Cardinals, has died at the age of 51. He was among those killed in a roof collapse in his home country, the Dominican Republic, where he was attending a merengue concert. Initial reports indicated Dotel had been rescued from the rubble and taken to a hospital. However, Satosky Terrero, a spokesperson for the Dominican Republic's Professional Baseball League, confirmed to The Associated Press that Dotel passed away later on Tuesday. Authorities report that the collapse at the Jet Set nightclub resulted in at least 79 fatalities and 160 injuries. Tony Blanco, who played one season in MLB and eight years professionally in Japan, also died in the collapse, according to Terrero. Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Monte Cristi province and sister of former MLB player and current MLB special advisor Nelson Cruz, was also among the deceased. “Major League Baseball expresses its deepest condolences for the deaths of Octavio Dotel, Tony Blanco, Nelsy Cruz, and all those affected by the tragic event in Santo Domingo last night,” stated MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred. “We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the families and friends of all the victims, and to our colleague Nelson and his family. The bond between baseball and the Dominican Republic is strong, and we are keeping all Dominican players and fans in our thoughts during this difficult time.” Tony Clark, the executive director of the MLB Players Association, conveyed the union's solidarity with the Dominican community "in this moment of profound sadness." “We mourn the loss of all the victims and offer our support to the families of Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, whose passing leaves a significant void, and to Nelson Cruz, who has lost his sister, Nelsy,” he said in a statement. Dotel signed with the New York Mets as an amateur free agent in 1993 and debuted in the major leagues in 1999. Initially a starter, he transitioned into a dependable and often dominant relief pitcher, appearing in 758 games between 1999 and 2013. On April 7, 2012, when he pitched for the Detroit Tigers, he set a record by playing for his 13th major league team. Edwin Jackson surpassed this record in 2019, pitching for his 14th team. The Mets observed a moment of silence for Dotel before their Tuesday game against Miami, displaying a Dominican flag on the video scoreboard. Dotel's most successful years were with the Houston Astros in the early 2000s, where he served as a setup man for closer Billy Wagner, making 302 appearances with a 3.25 ERA over four-plus seasons. He was one of six pitchers who combined to pitch a no-hitter against the New York Yankees in 2003. The following year, he was involved in a three-way trade that brought Carlos Beltran to the Astros. Before joining the Cardinals, who acquired him from Toronto at the 2011 trade deadline, Dotel pitched for nine teams. He participated in 12 postseason games, including five in the World Series against Texas. In 2013, he was a member of the Dominican Republic team that won the World Baseball Classic with a perfect 8-0 record. Dotel concluded his major league career with 1,143 strikeouts in 951 innings, an impressive rate of 10.8 per nine innings. He had a career record of 59-50, with 109 saves and a 3.78 ERA. In 2019, Dotel and former major leaguer Luis Castillo were among 18 individuals arrested during a joint U.S. and Dominican law enforcement operation targeting drug trafficking and money laundering. Dotel and Castillo were later released after a Dominican magistrate judge determined there was insufficient evidence to link them to the operation. ```

With the deadline looming for the U.S. to increase tariffs on imports from numerous nations—including a massive 104% tax on Chinese goods—global leaders were reportedly scrambling on Tuesday to decipher President Donald Trump's tariff strategy and connect with the appropriate individuals within the Administration to try and obtain exemptions. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer informed Congress on Tuesday that approximately "nearly 50" nations have contacted him to discuss Trump's newly implemented tariffs. Greer stated before the Senate Finance Committee that Argentina, Vietnam, and Israel have "suggested they will reduce their tariffs and non-tariffs barriers." However, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt indicated on Tuesday that Trump is unlikely to compromise in the near future. While Trump is open to individual discussions with countries, she told reporters that these negotiations would not halt the across-the-board 10% tariff on all imports, which took effect over the weekend. Higher tariff rates aimed at numerous countries are scheduled to be implemented at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, including the significant 104% tariff on China, the leading supplier of U.S. imports. "Trump has a spine of steel. He will not break. America will not break under his leadership," Leavitt asserted. Administration officials continued to emphasize the possibility of the U.S. forging new "deals" with other countries, but the timeframe for such negotiations remained unclear. Leavitt confirmed that Trump insists on personally overseeing the negotiations and is prepared to consider offers beyond trade concessions in exchange for lowering U.S. tariffs, including countries covering the expenses of hosting U.S. military forces and addressing other foreign policy objectives. "All options are on the table for each country but again these are going to be tailor-made deals," Leavitt stated. During his visit to the Oval Office on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proposed eliminating Israel's trade barriers. "Israel’s proactive approach should serve as a model for the rest of the world," Leavitt commented. Despite this, the U.S. tariff on Israel is still slated to rise to 17%. Trump's approval ratings have reportedly fallen in recent weeks, coinciding with increased disapproval of his handling of the economy. A Reuters/Ipsos poll revealed his approval rating at 43% last week, a decrease of 4 points since he assumed office in late January. A Wall Street Journal poll published on Friday indicated that 54% of voters opposed Trump's tariff proposals. In his testimony to Congress on Tuesday, Greer, Trump’s top trade negotiator, stated that the new tariffs are intended to shift the U.S. economy towards producing "real goods and services" and reduce its reliance on the financial sector and government spending. Greer acknowledged that the country is undergoing a significant transformation. "It is a moment of drastic, overdue change, but I am confident the American people will rise to the occasion as they have done before," Greer said. ```