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Trump followed through on his threat to impose a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports, stepping up efforts to protect politically important U.S. industries with taxes that hit some of the country's closest allies. The European Union said it would act to defend its economic interests and protect businesses and consumers, raising the specter of a damaging transatlantic trade conflict. Jordanian King Abdullah II will deliver a message to Trump in Washington today about Arab opposition to his plans for a US-controlled Gaza "coast," although it is not yet clear how they will respond. Meanwhile, the US president said Israel should end a ceasefire with Hamas if all hostages are not returned by the weekend, raising concerns about the sustainability of the six-week truce after the militant group delayed the release of another batch of prisoners.
Trump's envoy to Ukraine and Russia plans to present options to the president in the coming weeks to end the war, sources said. Retired General Keith Kellogg will gather views from officials at the Munich Security Conference that begins Friday in Germany and during visits to Kiev and other European capitals.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has said he will press ahead with plans to cut spending and reallocate funds to key social programs, criticizing opposition from "little kings" even as there are concerns the cuts could weigh on Southeast Asia's largest economy. The former general said he would keep his campaign promise to fund social safety net programs despite "those who are against me."
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz used his last possible speech in parliament before the election to intensify his attacks on Friedrich Merz, accusing the conservative of dividing Europe for political gain. Scholz and his Social Democrats are running out of time to close the gap with Merz's CDU/CSU alliance before the vote on February 23, with the conservatives leading with about 30 percent and the SPD in third place with about 16 percent, behind the far-right Alternative for Germany.
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