Trump’s ‘reciprocal’ tariffs take effect globally

President Donald Trump’s tariffs officially go into effect, with the president advocating for their effectiveness. Also, a high-level Internal Revenue Service resignation reportedly relates to the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, April 9, 2025.

Trump’s ‘reciprocal’ tariffs take effect, including 104% on Chinese goods

President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs on more than 100 countries worldwide went into effect Wednesday morning, April 9. The impacts are already being felt globally, with Asian and European stock shares sliding.

Japan’s Nikkei index dipped more than 5%. Taiwan led the losses in Asia, with its market plunging 5.8%. Big tech manufacturers were among the largest decliners.

In Europe, Britain’s FTSE 100 Index fell by about 1.5% as the country faces Trump’s “baseline” 10% tariff.

U.S. stock market futures indicated ongoing uncertainty. Despite this, Trump told a Republican gathering Tuesday night, April 8, that his tariff plan was effective.

“We’re making a fortune with tariffs. Two billion dollars a day. Do you believe it? I was told two billion dollars a day,” Trump said. “In addition, we have a lot of countries coming to see us; they want to make a deal.”

Trump continued, “Japan is coming here as we speak. They’re in a plane flying, lots of them coming here as we speak. They’re in a plane flying, lots of them, all tough negotiators. But things that people wouldn’t have given us two years ago, wouldn’t even have thought of it — two years, three years ago. Five years ago — seven — they’ve given us everything. They don’t want tariffs on themselves.”

Japan faces 24% tariffs.

China said it would take “resolute measures” to defend its trade rights; however, officials have not indicated how to respond to the 104% duties imposed on Chinese goods. China’s leader, Xi Jinping, has not publicly addressed the new tariffs.

Still, Chinese state media reported that he met with a small group of top officials to discuss bolstering ties with China’s neighbors and “strengthen industrial and supply chain cooperation,” according to the New York Times.

China has already retaliated with its own levies on American products, which led Trump to slap an additional 50% in tariffs on Chinese goods Tuesday, bringing the total to 104%.

European Union officials said they are preparing plans to target American exports, raising concerns of an all-out trade war and a potential global recession.

Trump ally Musk criticizes top trade adviser Navarro over tariffs

Tesla CEO and Trump ally Elon Musk continued to criticize the president’s tariffs. Now, an inner circle feud between Musk and the president’s top trade adviser, Peter Navarro, has escalated publicly.

Musk took to his social media platform, X, on Tuesday, April 8, calling Navarro “truly a moron.“

It follows Navarro’s statement to CNBC on Monday, April 7, that Tesla is more of a “car assembler” than a car manufacturer, explaining that the vehicles are composed of parts produced by other countries.

In a separate post, Musk claimed, “Tesla has the most American-made cars, ” calling Navarro “dumber than a sack of bricks.”

While Tesla has dominated Cars.com’s American-Made Index since 2021 — based on criteria including assembly location, parts manufacturing origin, engine origin, transmission origin and the American manufacturing workforce — Tesla is still experiencing some impacts from Trump’s tariffs.

Musk has also publicly distanced himself from Trump regarding tariffs, posting videos about free trade and stating that he believes there should be “zero tariffs” between the U.S. and Europe. The Washington Post reported Monday that Musk also made a “direct appeal” to the president.

IRS reaches deal with ICE to share immigrant tax data

Further unrest is unfolding within the Internal Revenue Service. This time, a notable resignation at the IRS is reportedly tied to the Trump administration’s initiatives against illegal immigration.

Melanie Krause, the IRS acting commissioner, announced to staff Tuesday, April 8, that she is stepping down from her position, according to multiple reports. Her decision comes one day after the IRS and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reached an agreement to share immigrants’ tax data with immigration authorities.

Immigrant rights groups have filed a lawsuit to block the data-sharing arrangement, arguing that it breaches trust and may discourage undocumented immigrants from paying taxes. However, a judge declined to issue an emergency order.

Straight Arrow News reporter Lauren Keenan has more on the story here.

Deadline set for Trump administration to present evidence against arrested protester

New developments in the case of Columbia University pro-Palestine, anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil. He is in federal custody for his role in campus protests at the university but has not been charged with a crime.

A Louisiana immigration judge said she will dismiss Khalil’s case if the government fails to provide evidence this week supporting his deportation. The judge gave the Trump administration 24 hours to comply.

Federal agents took Khalil into custody last month and transferred him to a detention center in Louisiana. The Department of Homeland Security ordered his deportation, alleging that his actions as a demonstrator could potentially have serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the U.S.

The 30-year-old activist, born in Syria, has legal permanent status in the U.S. His supporters have been demanding his release, claiming that his actions at Columbia were protected by free speech.

His attorney told the court that he has not received a single document in response to the government’s requests for evidence and assertions in the case.

Judge Jamee Comans gave the federal government until 6 pm EST Wednesday, April 9, to present the evidence and said she would have a ruling by Friday, April 11.

Singer, 2 ex-MLB players among 98 killed in nightclub collapse

In the Dominican Republic, rescue workers continued their frantic search for survivors after the roof of an iconic nightclub collapsed early Tuesday, April 8, killing at least 98 people and injuring more than 100 others.

Local authorities reported that around 300 people were inside the Jet Set nightclub in the capital of Santo Domingo when the roof collapsed.

The incident occurred during a performance by merengue artist Rubby Pérez and his orchestra. Pérez’s manager confirmed that the singer was among those killed.

Also among the victims are two former Major League Baseball players: former pitcher Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, who is also the father of current Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Tony Blanco Jr.

Tomb of unknown Egyptian pharaoh uncovered by archaeologists

Archaeologists uncovered an ancient Egyptian tomb that belonged to a mysterious pharaoh.

Archaeologists from the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Museum and Egyptian archaeologists discovered the massive limestone burial chamber in January in Abydos, Egypt. The lavish tomb’s intended occupant remains a mystery.

Grave robbers damaged the hieroglyphics painted on the bricks at the entryway, rendering the name unreadable. The tomb also lacked a mummy or remains that could assist in identifying the individual.

However, the researchers who made the discovery said it’s likely the resting place of a king who ruled Upper Egypt more than 3,600 years ago.

Researchers said the so-called mystery king might be one of several individuals notoriously absent from the traditional records of the monarchs who once ruled the region.