President-elect Donald Trump’s team signed a key agreement with the White House unlocking transition briefings and activities after a lengthy delay amid concerns, in part, over a mandatory ethics agreement. The White House agreement, which was due October 1, serves as the gatekeeper for access to agencies and information and could lay groundwork for Trump’s team to receive security clearances necessary to begin receiving classified information. It was not immediately clear how that information sharing with the Biden administration would proceed. White House spokesperson Saloni Sharma confirmed Trump’s team signed the White House memorandum of understanding, adding that the Biden White House and General Services Administration “repeatedly made the case” to Trump’s team to sign the pair of agreements starting in September.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded to Trump’s threat to impose a general tariff of 25% on imports from Mexico and Canada, warning that “neither threats nor tariffs will solve the issue of migration or drug consumption.” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed he called Trump shortly after the US president-elect’s tariff announcement, emphasizing the need to work on the relationship. Trump also announced he will impose additional tariffs of 10% on China. Shares of General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler owner Stellantis retreated after Trump announced a tariff hike proposal on all products coming from Mexico and Canada. A leading footwear industry trade group warned that tariffs on neighboring countries will increase prices for Americans, representing companies like Nike, DSW, Cros, Under Armour, and Walmart.
Texas is emerging as a blueprint for how incoming Trump officials plan to collaborate with states on border security, marking a shift from past years when it was a focal point of contention between state and federal authorities. Trump announced several picks for his administration, including Jamieson Greer as US Trade Representative, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health, Jim O’Neill as the deputy secretary of Health and Human Services, Vince Haley as the director of the Domestic Policy Council, Kevin Hassett as the director of the White House National Economic Council, and John Phelan as the secretary of the Navy.
