TheNewsGuru

Tag: Donald Trump

  • BREAKING: Trump orders deployment of nuclear submarines near Russia

    BREAKING: Trump orders deployment of nuclear submarines near Russia

    U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered two nuclear submarines to be deployed to strategic locations following recent comments made by the former President of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev.

    This is coming after Medvedev, who is Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, accused Trump of engaging in a “game of ultimatums” on Monday.

    He reminded Trump that Russia possessed Soviet-era nuclear strike capabilities of last resort after the U.S. President told Medvedev to “watch his words”.

    Reacting, Trump described Medvedev’s comments as “highly provocative, foolish and inflammatory”, adding, however, that “words are very important”.

    “Based on the highly provocative statements of the Former President of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, who is now the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, I have ordered two Nuclear Submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions, just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that.

    “Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences. I hope this will not be one of those instances. Thank you for your attention to this matter,” Trump wrote via Truth Social.

  • Trump imposes 25% tariff on Indian goods over ties with Russia

    Trump imposes 25% tariff on Indian goods over ties with Russia

    U.S. President Donald Trump said he is imposing a 25 per cent tariff on goods from India starting on Friday.

    Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump sharply criticises New Delhi for its military and energy ties with Russia.

    He described India as a “friend” but accused the country of maintaining unfair trade practices that disadvantage U.S. businesses.

    India has “strenuous and obnoxious” trade barriers that keep its markets closed to companies, he wrote, adding that its tariffs are “far too high.”

    Trump also took aim at India’s relationship with Russia, saying: “They have always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia, and are Russia’s largest buyer of ENERGY, along with China.

    In addition to the new tariff, Trump said India would face a financial “penalty” for its purchases from Russia, though he did not provide further details.

  • U.S. Senate approves Trump’s request to cancel $9.4bn foreign aid

    U.S. Senate approves Trump’s request to cancel $9.4bn foreign aid

    The U.S. Senate has approved the White House’s request to cancel 9.4 billion dollars in federal spending on foreign aid and the NPR and PBS broadcasters.

    The late Wednesday vote of 51-48 sent the bill to the House of Representatives, which is expected to give its final approval by July 18, CNN reported.

    If passed, the draft law would go to President Donald Trump for a signature.

    In early June, House Speaker Mike Johnson announced that the White House had sent a request to Congress to cancel 9.4 billion dollars in previously approved spending.

    It was identified as “wasteful’’ by the Department of Government Efficiency.

    In early May, President Trump signed an executive order to cut off government funding for NPR and PBS for “biased reporting of news.”

    On May 27, NPR and a number of Colorado radio stations sued the Trump administration over loss of funding, accusing it of trying to curtail press freedom.

  • Again, Trump’s way or the highway – By Azu Ishiekwene

    Again, Trump’s way or the highway – By Azu Ishiekwene

    It’s hard not to love US President Donald Trump. He is the world’s most powerful president and wears his preeminence on his sleeve. Not for him the crooked modesty of the Chinese or the boring self-effacement of the British.

    Six months after his second inauguration, it’s been one day, one Trump. Two of his latest alter egos have been his invitation to the White House to five African heads of state, and his threat to impose an additional 10 percent tariff on any country that gets too close to the BRICS – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – middle-level powers trying to find a common ground and chart a trading system outside the dollar.

    That beautiful word

    First, the BRICS story. In response to BRICS leaders at the 17th BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, calling for closer monetary cooperation, Trump warned that the US will not tolerate a unified currency or trading system that offers an alternative to the dollar. The man who once described “tariffs” as the most beautiful word in the dictionary threatened to wield it again. 

    What is Trump afraid of? As of 2025, BRICS countries collectively contribute about 40 percent of the world’s economic output, measured by purchasing power parity. In the past two decades, their share of global GDP has grown from 21 percent in 2000, to nearly 35 percent by 2024 for the five original members. The BRICS digital payments market is projected to reach around $2.45 trillion by the end of this year.

    Trump can read the writing on the wall, and in his America First world, whatever threatens the dominance of the dollar threatens his slogan. Even though blockchain and central bank digital currencies and cross-currency settlements are evolving, they can hardly compare to the challenge that a unified BRICS currency might pose to the dollar, which currently accounts for nearly 80 percent of the global trading system, estimated at $33 trillion.

    The dollar as a weapon

    But that’s not all that bothers Trump. A lesser, but equally important reason, the US President warned that “there will be no exceptions” in the 10 percent tariff, is that apart from weaponising the dollar, the US also gets a sizable commission by issuing the greenback to the global trading system. It is called “seigniorage.”  

    According to a 2022 study by the National Bureau of Economic Research, the US has earned a cumulative seigniorage revenue of $3.7 trillion since the dollar became the global reserve currency after World War II. “On an annual basis,” said Professor of Finance, Rahul Ravi, of the University of Alberta, Canada, “the US regularly earns tens of billions of dollars through seigniorage, functioning as a quiet, recurring fiscal windfall that reduces the need for taxation or borrowing.” Trump isn’t about to give up this benefit without a fight.

    A different world

    So, what? BRICS countries can either continue with the economic imbalances and trade distortions created and maintained by the dollarisation of global trade, or proceed with a viable alternative despite Trump. After 80 years of a global financial system built on the ruins of World War II and the collapse of the gold standard, the world has been at its most prosperous ever. 

    Thanks to the extraordinary spread of knowledge through research and advances in science and technology, trade has grown 38-fold since 1945, reflecting a profound transformation in the world economy and a shift in the global financial powerhouses that test the viability of the methods and institutions that govern trade. 

    A global trading system dominated by the dollar is no longer fit for purpose. Trump doesn’t think so. He believes the US can continue to eat its cake, preferring bullying and unilateralism to dialogue and multilateralism. The BRICS (now BRIC+) has a combined GDP that is two and a half times larger than the EU’s. It would be foolish of BRICS to underestimate its advantage or indulge Trump’s tantrums. 

    Follow China

    Regardless of its insidious opportunism, sometimes, China has played a significant role in developing an alternative payment system over the last nearly 10 years, especially with Gulf states, and has much to share with other BRICS members.

    The US benefits from the dollar’s global reserve status through cheap borrowing and commissions. Still, other countries bear the cost of the reduced ability to respond to economic shocks. Of course, Trump can argue, as he often does, that countries like China also manipulate their currencies to the detriment of US exporters, but that’s all the more reason the world needs a viable alternative trade payment system. 

    We’ve had enough of decades of economic imbalances, reduced monetary autonomy, financial instability and geopolitical tensions linked to the dollarised global system. BRICS didn’t come this far to capitulate to a president who sets the world by his clock.

    Going to the White House

    This brings up another point about the second version of Trump seen lately. South Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa, who was at the Brazil meeting, and his West African neighbour, Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who attended as leader of “a partner country,” must be relieved not to be on Trump’s list of five African heads of state invited to the White House on July 9.

    In Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, opposition leaders mock Tinubu for being passed over. But I think the joke is on Trump. Of the five countries he invited – Senegal, Gabon, Mauritania, Liberia, and Guinea-Bissau – with a combined GDP of about $80 billion and populations of over 33 million, Senegal stands out for many good reasons. Not only does it represent nearly half of the economy of the five countries, but its economy is also the most diversified, with a promising government.

    Back story

    One thing that all five have in common, perhaps the biggest draw for Trump, is mineral resources. This, quite frankly, is all the US president cares about, with the token inclusion of Liberia for historical reasons. After the stick brutally cutting the continent’s development aid by $4.5 billion, Trump is offering not the continent’s powerhouses, but some of its weakest, the carrot of a White House tour to discuss their minerals.

    Good luck to them, but it’s also an opportunity for a continent always looking elsewhere rather than within itself for redemption. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AcFTA) should mean more than paperwork. It offers a genuinely sustainable path to Africa’s growth and development. Those mocking Tinubu could not have quickly forgotten Ramaphosa’s experience at the White House. Trump is the only star in any Trump movie.

    Whether he threatens more tariffs for de-dollarisation or uses divide and rule to weaken the world, especially developing countries, they must make it clear that, apart from Trump’s way and the highway, there is a third way for those willing and able to pay the price. That would sometimes mean not loving Trump less, but loving themselves more.

    Ishiekwene is Editor-in-Chief of LEADERSHIP and author of the book, Writing for Media and Monetising It.

  • Where did you learn to speak so beautifully? – Trump stunned by Liberia President’s eloquence

    Where did you learn to speak so beautifully? – Trump stunned by Liberia President’s eloquence

    American president, Donald Trump raised eyebrows after he complimented Liberian President Joseph Boakai on his “good English” during a White House luncheon with African leaders.

    This exchange took place at a diplomatic gathering aimed at strengthening U.S.-Africa relations.

    After President Boakai delivered some brief remarks, Trump leaned in and asked, “Thank you, and such good English! Where did you learn to speak so beautifully? Where were you educated?”

    President Boakai, a seasoned business graduate and statesman who, like most Liberians, speaks English as his first language, calmly replied that he had been educated in his home country.

    However, his muted response suggested some discomfort.

    Unfazed, Trump continued to comment on Boakai’s speech, saying, “It’s beautiful English. I have people at this table who can’t speak nearly as well.”

    This remark drew a mix of chuckles and raised eyebrows among the guests, who included French-speaking leaders from across West Africa.

  • Musk vs Trump: How the world’s richest men use their wealth – By Magnus Onyibe

    Musk vs Trump: How the world’s richest men use their wealth – By Magnus Onyibe

    A looming battle of wits—and perhaps of ballots—between the world’s richest man and the most powerful political leader promises to be epic. Elon Musk, the technology and aerospace titan, has drawn a clear battle line against President Donald Trump, the 47th president of the United States and head of the global hegemon.

    Friends Turned Foes.

    During the 2024 U.S. presidential race, Musk poured vast resources into Trump’s successful comeback bid. Yet barely a year later the pair stand at daggers drawn. Trump’s sweeping domestic agenda—dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill”—has alienated several former allies, none more vocal than Musk. Their falling-out undercuts the old adage “he who pays the piper calls the tune.” Trump, it seems, will not dance to anyone else’s music, except deliver on his campaign promise.

    What the Super-Rich Do With Their Fortunes.

    Before unpacking the Musk–Trump feud, it is worth recalling how previous holders of the “world’s wealthiest” title chose to deploy their fortunes.

    • Bill Gates

    Co-founder of Microsoft; World’s Richest Man (1995–2007, 2009, 2014–17)

    Gates, now 69, has pledged to give away US $200 billion before 2045 through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, focusing on global health, education, and climate initiatives.

    • Warren Buffett

    CEO of Berkshire Hathaway; World’s Richest Man (2008)

    Buffett, 94, has vowed to donate 99 % of his wealth, primarily via the Gates Foundation and a family-run charitable trust, leaving “just enough”—about US $2 billion each—to his three children. His philosophy:

    “Parents should leave their children enough so they can do anything, but not enough that they can do nothing.”

    • Elon Musk

    CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, X (Twitter), and Starlink; World’s Richest Man since 2021.

    After Tesla’s meteoric rise pushed his net worth above US $200 billion, Musk briefly ceded the top spot to Bernard Arnault in 2022 but soon reclaimed it. Now, at 54, the South-African-born entrepreneur is threatening to pour his fortune into founding a new U.S. political party—a direct strike at the Republican–Democratic duopoly—to unseat Trump in 2028. The catalyst: Trump’s signing of the Big Beautiful Bill on 4 July, America’s 249th Independence Day, a legislation Musk argues would stifle technological innovation and space exploration where he plays a prominent role.

    From Philanthropy to Power Plays.

    While Gates and Buffett channel their billions into philanthropy, Musk appears ready to wield his wealth as a political weapon. If he follows through, the clash between Musk’s cash and Trump’s incumbency could reshape the American—and global—political landscape.

    Stay tuned: the richest man on earth and the most powerful politician alive are set for a showdown that may redefine how extreme wealth translates into political power.

    As a fallout of his disagreement with President Trump’s domestic policies—particularly on taxation—Elon Musk made a bold declaration on Twitter the following day (Saturday). He revealed that he had polled his followers on whether to form a new political party to challenge President Trump and stated:

    “Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom. By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party, and you shall have it!”

    Musk’s announcement about launching what he calls the “America Party”—while stunning and unprecedented in the history of U.S. political evolution—is not entirely unexpected. This is especially so, considering the rapid deterioration of the once-unlikely alliance formed last year between then–Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and Musk, the billionaire founder of Tesla, SpaceX, X (formerly Twitter), and Starlink.

    The unusual partnership had a clear objective: to unseat then-President Joe Biden and block Vice President Kamala Harris from ascending further. Both Musk and Trump shared a common enemy but had different motivations. Trump believed that Biden had stolen his 2020 mandate, when he was declared the loser of the presidential contest in 2019 and Biden the winner,while Musk was driven by a deep resentment of what he saw as the Democratic Party’s excessive embrace of “wokeness”—a term he equated with liberal overreach and cultural decay.

    Musk’s antagonism toward Biden and the Democratic Party is deeply personal. In 2022, a U.S. court granted his child, Xavier Alexander Musk, legal rights to transition from male to female and adopt the name Vivian Jenna Wilson, effectively disowning Musk. This family conflict, in Musk’s view, was a byproduct of what he labels a “woke” culture, which he blames on Democratic leadership.

    With such a powerful convergence of animosity, it wasn’t difficult to see how Trump’s political capital and Musk’s financial muscle could combine to defeat the Biden/Harris ticket in the 2024 election. And they did—Trump returned to the White House on January 20, 2025.

    Having achieved their shared objectives—Trump’s reinstatement and the rollback of progressive policies including gender-identity recognition—one might have expected a continued alliance. Especially after Trump declared that only two genders—male and female—would henceforth be recognized by U.S. law, aligning with Musk’s worldview.

    Yet, questions remain. Was Musk’s support for Trump merely strategic—meant to ensure favorable policy treatment for his sprawling business empire? Now that he is turning against Trump, their feud is a cautionary tale on why politicians and business tycoons should not be joined at the hip. Their fallout could lead to serious conflicts of interest, particularly as Musk’s newly declared America Party prepares to challenge the Republican establishment in the upcoming midterm elections, he Musk carries on with his threat.

    What The World’s Richest Men Do With Their Wealth.

    Before delving further into this political rift, it’s insightful to consider how the world’s wealthiest individuals—past and present—have used their fortunes.

    Elon Musk

    Currently the world’s richest man, with a net worth of approximately $405.2 billion, Musk made his fortune through Tesla (electric vehicles), SpaceX (space exploration), X/Twitter (social media), and Starlink (satellite internet). He’s now channeling that wealth into politics—an unprecedented move in modern U.S. history.

    Bernard Arnault

    The French luxury goods magnate and head of LVMH, Arnault was the world’s richest man in 2022 with a net worth of $199 billion. He made his fortune through high-end brands such as Louis Vuitton, Moët & Chandon, and Hennessy.

    Jeff Bezos

    Founder of Amazon and Blue Origin, Bezos is currently the world’s second richest man, worth around $244 billion. Like Musk, he has invested in space exploration and also owns The Washington Post, signaling an interest in media influence.

    Mark Zuckerberg

    At $225 billion, Zuckerberg is the founder of Facebook/Meta, a social media empire that has shaped global communication, politics, and advertising.

    Bill Gates

    Founder of Microsoft, Gates held the title of the world’s richest man from 1995 to 2018. Now worth billions, he is one of the world’s leading philanthropists through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, focusing on global health, education, and poverty eradication.

    Carlos Slim Helú

    The Mexican business tycoon was the world’s richest man from 2010 to 2013. His wealth, accumulated through Grupo Carso, spans telecommunications (América Móvil), construction, and retail.

    Warren Buffett

    Founder of Berkshire Hathaway, Buffett was the world’s richest man in 2008 with a net worth of $62 billion at the time. Now 94, he has pledged to donate 99% of his wealth to philanthropy, primarily via the Gates Foundation.

    John D. Rockefeller

    Arguably the original billionaire, Rockefeller built Standard Oil into the world’s most powerful oil empire. He was the first person on public record to be declared the world’s richest man, and his name remains synonymous with wealth and philanthropy.

    A Common Thread: National Influence.

    Interestingly, with the exception of Bernard Arnault and Carlos Slim, all individuals who have held the title of the world’s richest have been Americans. Their wealth has not only shaped industries but influenced politics, public policy, and social development—often blurring the lines between capital and democracy.

    Now, with Musk preparing to challenge the traditional two-party system-duopoly, the U.S. may be on the cusp of a new political era—one where the ultra-rich not only fund political movements but lead them too. If it manifests in the US it will be copied in europe and the rest of the world with serious implications as democracy as we know it today-govt.of the people, by the people and for the people as introduced in Athens,Greece by Cleisthenes in 507 BC may not remain the same. Rather , the role of money, not conscience in choosing political leaders will be heavily influenced by the wealthy not the massses which is curreently a common practice in nascent democracies in Africa and elsewhere in the developing world where they are looking up to the advanced democracies for guidance.

    Over the past century, different individuals have emerged as the world’s richest at various points in time. Interestingly, their wealth has often been derived from the most impactful or trending industries of their era.

    John D. Rockefeller earned his place as the world’s richest man through oil exploration—a sector that, at the time, was the lifeblood of the global economy. Warren Buffett ascended to the top during a period when hedge funds and bond investments dominated the wealth-generation space. Bill Gates, meanwhile, achieved his status during the rise of the Information Technology (IT) revolution. Jeff Bezos capitalized on the explosion of online retail and logistics, while Bernard Arnault built his fortune in the luxury goods market. Today, Elon Musk holds the title, having leveraged the global shift from fossil fuels to electric mobility through Tesla, alongside ventures in space technology, communication (Starlink), and social media (X, formerly Twitter).

    Though all these men have accumulated extraordinary wealth, their approaches to giving back—or not—vary widely. Historically, many of the world’s richest individuals channeled their fortunes into philanthropy or public good. For instance, Bill Gates and Warren Buffett have invested billions into disease eradication, education, and global health through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other initiatives. They have consciously avoided political entanglements, choosing instead to uplift humanity through strategic social investments.

    In contrast, Elon Musk has taken a markedly different route. Until recently, he appeared to share similar philanthropic values. However, his pivot into political funding—culminating in a reported $300 million contribution to President Trump’s 2024 campaign—has placed him at the center of political controversy. His involvement has further intensified since his recent declaration of forming a new political platform, the “America Party,” in opposition to Trump.

    This deviation from the typical billionaire playbook has made Musk a polarizing figure. His political ambitions, particularly his tenure as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), have drawn sharp criticism. Once hailed for his technological innovations—ranging from electric vehicles to reusable rockets—Musk now faces a wave of public backlash. Tesla owners have gone as far as burning their vehicles in protest. His brand has taken a hit, and shareholders have grown increasingly wary of his political entanglements.

    Ironically, Trump and the Republican Party once championed Musk and Tesla. Now, they find themselves in the crosshairs of Musk’s political ambitions. The paradox is as glaring as it is instructive.

    Musk’s fall from grace is not unique. Bill Gates once faced a backlash for predicting the potentially catastrophic impact of COVID-19 on Africa—a projection that proved to be off the mark. He was also accused, without evidence, of supporting eugenics-related research. Yet, Gates has largely maintained his reputation due to his consistent focus on humanitarian causes. The same cannot be said of Musk, whose tenure at DOGE was seen by many as high-handed and out-of-touch.

    Even Rockefeller was not without controversy. He was alleged to have played a role in the 1915 Armenian genocide in the Baku region of present-day Azerbaijan—then under Soviet control. Allegations suggest that, to protect their refinery operations in the region, Rockefeller and the Rothschilds enlisted the Turkish army to forcibly remove the local Armenian population-marking it the first genocide before the Nazi holocaust . Though Turkey has denied the genocide, and the United Nations long withheld recognition, President Joe Biden formally acknowledged it as genocide on April 24, 2021—over a century later.

    Today’s billionaires, particularly those in technology, seem more inclined to pursue profit than purpose. Unlike the Carnegies, Fords, and Rockefellers of old, many modern billionaires are focused on personal indulgence—space tourism, luxury weddings in Venice, and opulent mansions around the globe. In Nigeria, the pattern is strikingly similar.

    Whether their wealth comes from oil, banking, technology, or even law, few Nigerian billionaires are endowing universities, funding scholarships, or building hospitals. While some do engage in philanthropy, (Dangote, Mike Adenuga, Femi Otedola, Toni Elumelu, James lbori, Samad Rabiu etc engage in empowerment or set up educational institutions to support the indigent) the majority appear more interested in lavish lifestyles—hosting extravagant parties in Dubai, buying private jets and fleets of luxury cars, and building palatial homes they rarely inhabit.

    In contrast to this trend, some American billionaires have ventured into politics with varying degrees of success. Ross Perot, founder of Texas Instruments, famously disrupted George H.W. Bush’s 1992 reelection bid by capturing nearly 20% of the vote as an independent. Ralph Nader ran as a Green Party candidate multiple times, while Mike Bloomberg—founder of Bloomberg LP and former mayor of New York—entered the 2020 presidential race as a Democrat, self-funding his campaign to the tune of $1 billion.

    To out the narrative in context, in Nigeria, the closest parallel to Musk’s political move would be if Alhaji Aliko Dangote challenged President Bola Tinubu. Dangote has demonstrated that he would never do that when at the launch of the link road from his refinery by President Tinubu, he humourously instructed the master of ceremony not to refer to him as president/ CEO of Dangote group since the President Tinubu, his superior was there. He is that humble and apolitical. Chief MKO Abiola, a multi- billionaire  tried to become the president of Nigeria by contesting for the top job straight out of the business world during a military dictatorship to democracy in 1993. Unfortunately, he did not only loss his fortune, he also lost his life.

    But while Musk can survive political backlash in a country like the U.S., where institutions are strong, such a move in Nigeria could endanger an entire business empire. Even in the US , already, Musk’s own companies are feeling the pressure. Azoria Partners, an investment firm involved in business with him, has reportedly delayed the launch of a Tesla exchange-traded fund (ETF) due to uncertainty surrounding Musk’s political intentions. That is on top of the fact that Tesla shares have been rising and falling sharply since he dabbled into politics.

    Azoria’s CEO, James Fishback, has called on Tesla’s board to clarify Musk’s political ambitions, warning that the launch of the America Party could erode shareholder confidence. The stock market, sensitive to leadership uncertainty, is watching closely.

    In a previous column a couple of weeks ago, titled “Trump and Musk Feud: A Case for Keeping Politics and Business Separate,” I made the argument that wealthy entrepreneurs should tread carefully when entering the political arena. Government, after all, is the most powerful authority after God. It’s no surprise that Musk may soon have to yield the title of the world’s richest man to Jeff Bezos—again as his vast business empire may further be diminished.

    In Nigeria, similar tensions are playing out. The formation of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by disenchanted former APC stalwarts mirrors the creation of the America Party in the U.S. disgruntled Musk.

    In both cases, political egos and personal ambition appear to be driving these initiatives—not necessarily a desire to serve the public good.

    It’s hard to imagine that Americans are seeking a messiah in Elon Musk—a man many view with suspicion due to his leadership of DOGE and controversial business practices. Nor are Nigerians likely to be swayed by grand political declarations by the new opposition party in a formation stage. In his speech at the launch of the ADC, former Senate President David Mark , an active participant in politics since the return of multiparty democracy in 1999- 26 years ago proclaimed:

    “Today marks the beginning of what we believe will be a long, difficult, and tedious journey. However, it is a journey that we are prepared to undertake, united in our collective belief that no price or sacrifice is too high in the service of our fatherland.”

    But the Nigerian electorate has grown skeptical. Years of broken promises by political actors have left a deep trust deficit. It remains to be seen whether this new party—like Musk’s in the U.S.—can gain genuine public traction.

    In the end, neither President Trump nor President Tinubu is likely to remain idle. Both are seasoned political operators known for their agility and resilience. As we look ahead to the 2027 (Nigeria) and 2028 (U.S.) elections, it’s clear that the political landscapes of both nations are poised for seismic shifts.

    President Trump has put Musk on notice that he and his numerous businesses may be probed and in Nigeria President Tinubu currently attending a BRICS meeting holding in Brazil may already have his antidote to the ADC threat.

    Overall, both Trump and Tinubu, with midterm in the US still about a year from today and re-election in Nigeria about two years from now, the two leaders have enough time to self correct their policies that are not on point and shore up their voting base to enhance re-electability for Tinubu who has the knack for masterstrokes and sustainance of Republican party’s dominance of all the branches after the midterm elections.

    Magnus Onyibe, an entrepreneur, public policy analyst, author, democracy advocate, development strategist, and alumnus of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, Massachusetts, USA, is also a Commonwealth Institute Scholar and a former commissioner in the Delta State government. He sent this piece from Washington D.C., USA.

  • Tinubu mocked as Trump excludes Nigeria from trade talks with five African leaders

    Tinubu mocked as Trump excludes Nigeria from trade talks with five African leaders

    The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has mocked President Bola Tinubu for being excluded from President Donald Trump’s list of leaders from five African nations who were invited to Washington to discuss commercial opportunities.

    TheNewsGuru reports that Trump will host leaders from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal for a discussion and lunch at the White House on July 9, the official said.

    “President Trump believes that African countries offer incredible commercial opportunities which benefit both the American people and our African partners,” the official said, referring to the reasons why the meeting was arranged.

    On Tuesday, Bolaji Abdullahi, a spokesman for the ADC, reacted to the exclusion of Tinubu from high-level economic talks, calling it a significant international indictment of the APC administration. 

    Abdullahi attributed this exclusion to ongoing economic mismanagement, weak and inconsistent diplomacy, and the Tinubu administration’s failure to effectively highlight Nigeria’s strategic importance on the global stage.

    “For years, African thought leaders have argued that it was about time that the Western World started to engage with African countries as trade partners rather than as hapless recipients of aid.

    “Finally, an American President has emerged who is cutting aid and promoting trade. But Nigeria is not invited to the table.

    “According to the Americans, the three-day meeting, which starts on Wednesday, is convened to explore commercial opportunities that could benefit both American companies and African partners.

    “They said they have invited countries who have demonstrated the ability and willingness, to help themselves.
    What this means in plain language, is that under President Tinubu, Nigeria is no longer taken seriously.

    “Although we are Africa’s largest economy, with the largest consumer market and Africa’s most influential diaspora, the United States chose to bypass us in favour of nations whose combined GDP is only a fraction of ours.

    “With this snub, what the Americans are telling us is that size means nothing without leadership and a demonstrable commitment to efficiency, to transparency and to accountability.

    “Only a few years ago, it would have been unthinkable that such meeting would hold without Nigeria. This only shows how low this administration has brought our country in the estimation of the world,” Abdullahi stated.

    The spokesman also considered it insulting that Nigeria is among the countries being threatened with 10 per cent tariff increase for associating with BRICS.

    BRICS is a group of major emerging economies with Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa as members.

    The body, which was founded in 2009, aimed to promote peace, security, development, and cooperation among member countries and to contribute to a more equitable and fair world.

    It also serves as a platform for member countries to coordinate their positions in international forums and to pursue their shared interests in global economic and political affairs.

    Continuing, Abdullahi said, “The ADC is not opposed to BRICS. But we are opposed to Nigeria punching below its weight by playing in the small league.

    “Were Nigeria able to provide the leadership that other African countries expect of us, and which we have competently provided in recent past, we would have been invited to that meeting on Wednesday in Washington.

    “And Nigeria would have used the opportunity to push the Africa Union (AU) position on global trade, especially given that our daughter, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala sits at the head of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

    “But under this APC administration, Nigeria is no longer respected even as a regional leader in ECOWAS, as the regional body has shrunk in size and significance under President Tinubu’s leadership.

    “Under this APC administration, once the acknowledged leader of the continent, Nigeria has become an afterthought, reduced to playing with back-water countries like St.Lucia, a country with less than 1% of our GDP and a population less than that of a rural local government in Nigeria.

    “Yet, our president was able to spend an entire week in that country, for reasons that the government is still struggling to explain.

    “The truth is that APC has not only stalled our economic progress, it has stripped us of the opportunity to sit at the table where real decisions, and real investments that could create jobs boost growth and improve our economy, are being made.

    “This is what happens when the government at the centre prioritises politics over performance, and propaganda over progress. As a nation that has led before, and can lead again, we must reject the future the APC seeks to impose on us—one where we are ignored, sidelined, and treated as insignificant. Nigerians must demand better, because Nigeria is too big, too important, and too proud to be left out.”

  • Trump leaves door open to further delay tariffs

    Trump leaves door open to further delay tariffs

    U.S. President Donald Trump said he may delay planned tariffs on several countries beyond the newly set deadline of August 1.

    Asked whether the new date was firm, Trump told reporters: “I would say firm, but not 100 per cent.”

    “If they call up and they say we’d like to do something a different way, we’re going to be open to that,” he added.

    Trump said letters sent to over a dozen countries including Japan, South Korea and South Africa outlining planned tariffs were final, but added: “If they call with a different offer, and I like it, then we’ll do it.”

    Earlier on Monday, Trump moved the imposition of high tariffs on trading partners from July 9 to August 1.

    The move is intended to keep planned import surcharges off the table while negotiations continue.

    Although many details remain unresolved, including how future trade relations between the U.S. and the European Union will be structured.

  • Trump threatens extra 10% tariffs on BRICS as leaders meet in Brazil

    President Donald Trump said the U.S. would impose an additional 10 percent tariff on countries aligning themselves with the “anti-American policies” of the BRICS group of developing nations.

    Leaders of the BRICS group kicked off a summit in Brazil on Sunday.

    With forums such as the G7 and G20 groups of major economies hamstrung by divisions and the disruptive “America First” approach of the U.S. president, the BRICS is presenting itself as a haven for multilateral diplomacy amid violent conflicts and trade wars.

    In a joint statement released on Sunday afternoon from the opening of the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, the group warned that the rise in tariffs threatened global trade, continuing its veiled criticism of Trump’s tariff policies.

    Hours later, Trump warned he would punish countries seeking to join the grouping.

    “Any Country aligning itself with the anti-American policies of BRICS will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10 per cent Tariff.

    “There will be no exceptions to this policy. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

    Trump did not clarify or expand on the “anti-American policies” reference in his post.

    Trump’s administration is seeking to finalise dozens of trade deals with a wide range of countries before his July 9 deadline for imposing significant “retaliatory tariffs.”

    The original BRICS group gathered leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, and China at its first summit in 2009.

    The bloc later added South Africa and last year included Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates as members.

    Saudi Arabia has held off formally joining, according to sources, while another 30 nations have expressed interest in participating in the BRICS, either as full members or partners.

    Indonesia’s senior economic minister, Airlangga Hartarto, is in Brazil for the BRICS summit and is scheduled to go to the U.S. on Monday to oversee tariff talks, an official told Reuters. India’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

    In opening remarks to the summit earlier, Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva drew a parallel with the Cold War’s Non-Aligned Movement, a group of developing nations that resisted joining either side of a polarised global order.

    “BRICS is the heir to the Non-Aligned Movement,” Lula told leaders. With multilateralism under attack, our autonomy is in check once again.”

    BRICS nations now represent more than half the world’s population and 40 per cent of its economic output, Lula noted in remarks on Saturday to business leaders, warning of rising protectionism.

    Expansion of the bloc has added diplomatic weight to the gathering, which aspires to speak for developing nations across the Global South, strengthening calls for reforming global institutions such as the United Nations Security Council and the International Monetary Fund.

    “If international governance does not reflect the new multipolar reality of the 21st century, it is up to BRICS to help bring it up to date,” Lula said in his remarks, which highlighted the failure of U.S.-led wars in the Middle East.

    Stealing some thunder from this year’s summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping chose to send his premier in his place. Russian President Vladimir Putin is attending online due to an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court related to his war in Ukraine.

    Still, several heads of state were gathered for discussions at Rio’s Museum of Modern Art on Sunday and Monday, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

    However, there are questions about the shared goals of an increasingly heterogeneous BRICS group, which has grown to include regional rivals along with major emerging economies.

    In the joint statement, the leaders called attacks against Iran’s “civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities” a “violation of international law.”

    The group expressed “grave concern” for the Palestinian people over Israeli attacks on Gaza, and condemned what the joint statement called a “terrorist attack” in India-administered Kashmir.

    The group voiced its support for Ethiopia and Iran to join the World Trade Organisation, while calling to urgently restore its ability to resolve trade disputes.

    The leaders’ joint statement backed plans to pilot a BRICS Multilateral Guarantees initiative within the group’s New Development Bank to lower financing costs and boost investment in member states, as first reported by Reuters last week.

    In a separate statement following a discussion of artificial intelligence, the leaders called for protections against unauthorised use of AI to avoid excessive data collection and allow mechanisms for fair payment.

    Brazil, which also hosts the United Nations climate summit in November, has seized on both gatherings to highlight how seriously developing nations are tackling climate change, while Trump has slammed the brakes on U.S. climate initiatives.

    China and the UAE signaled in meetings with Brazilian Finance Minister Fernando Haddad in Rio that they plan to invest in a proposed Tropical Forests Forever Facility, according to two sources with knowledge of the discussions about funding conservation of endangered forests around the world.

  • Trump to host 5 African leaders

    Trump to host 5 African leaders

    U.S. President Donald Trump will host leaders from five African nations in Washington next week to discuss “commercial opportunities,” a White House official said.

    Trump will host leaders from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal for a discussion and lunch at the White House on July 9, the official said.

    “President Trump believes that African countries offer incredible commercial opportunities which benefit both the American people and our African partners,” the official said, referring to the reasons why the meeting was arranged.

    Africa Intelligence and Semafor reported earlier that the Trump administration would hold a summit for the five countries in Washington from July 9-11.

    The Trump administration has axed swaths of U.S. foreign aid for Africa as part of a plan to curb spending it considers wasteful and not aligned with Trump’s “America First” policies.

    It says it wants to focus on trade and investment and to drive mutual prosperity.

    On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. was abandoning what he called a charity-based foreign aid model and will favor those nations that demonstrate “both the ability and willingness to help themselves.”

    U.S. envoys in Africa will be rated on commercial deals struck, African Affairs senior bureau official Troy Fitrel said in May, describing it as the new strategy for support on the continent.