Politics
Trump tariffs: 50 nations seek new US trade talks — official
A senior advisor to US President Donald Trump said dozens of countries have contacted the White House seeking to renegotiate new US tariffs. Chip-making Taiwan says it wants to cut tariffs to zero.
Trump adviser: White House inundated with calls seeking fresh trade talks EU ready with “proportionate countermeasures,” says von der Leyen Netanyahu will urge Trump to cut tariffs on Israel during talks next week Chip leader Taiwan says it will seek zero-tariff deal with US
Here are the latest developments following the new round of Trump tariffs on Sunday, April 6:
EU’s von der Leyen warns bloc will ‘defend its interests’
European Union chief Ursula Von der Leyen said the bloc is prepared to “defend its interests with proportionate countermeasures” against Trump’s tariffs and will work with partners towards this end.
Von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, issued a statement following a call with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose country has been hit by 10% tariffs.
The president also reaffirmed the EU’s “commitment to engaging in negotiations with the US.”
The Commission, which also coordinates the bloc’s trade policy, is due to propose to EU states on Monday a list of US products, worth $28 billion (€25.6 billion), to hit with extra duties.
The imports targeted include US meat, cereals, wine, wood and clothing, among other goods.
Those retaliatory measures are in response to Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs rather than the broader reciprocal levies announced last week.
The 27-nation EU faces 25% tariffs on steel, aluminum and car exports and “reciprocal” tariffs of 20% from Wednesday for almost all other goods.
The new US tariffs will cover more than two-thirds of EU exports to the US.
On Monday, Luxembourg will host the first meeting of EU trade ministers since Trump’s sweeping tariffs were announced, where ministers are expected to push for a unified response.
Trump adviser: More than 50 countries want to renegotiate trade
Dozens of countries have so far reached out to renegotiate tariffs with the United States, a senior economic advisor to US President Donald Trump said.
National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett told ABC News that Trump’s tariffs had so far driven “more than 50” countries to contact the White House to begin trade talks.
Hassett also denied that Trump hoped the new tariffs would crash financial markets to pressure the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates.
He insisted there would be no “political coercion” of the US central bank.
In a Truth Social post on Friday, Trump shared a video that suggested his tariffs aimed to hammer the stock market on purpose in a bid to force lower interest rates.
US stocks tumbled by around 10% on Thursday and Friday, after Trump announced a new global tariff regime that was more aggressive than investors had been anticipating.
Welcome to our coverage
Thank you for joining us as we bring you the latest developments on US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff plan, that has sent shockwaves around the world.
As nations digest the impact of the punitive new levies, several leaders have spoken about the desire to cut their own tariffs on imports from the US.
Investors, meanwhile, are nervously awaiting the opening of financial markets on Monday, after large falls in stock prices late last week, following the announcement.
The governments of Abia and Imo States have announced the launching of a joint security taskforce and surveillance along the Aba-Owerri expressway, starting from Owerrinta in Abia State all the way to Owerri, Imo State.
The launch followed recent attacks by criminals on the expressway, including kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities.
The formation of the joint security taskforce and surveillance was announced by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity.
His statement read in part: “Arising from a strategic emergency security meeting held today, 4th December, 2025, by the Governors of Abia and Imo Sates at the Imo State Government Owerri House, His Excellency Governor Alex Otti and His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma resolved to set up a joint security Taskforce that shall consist of Soldiers, Naval Personnel, Police Officers , DSS Personnel, and other Government Security Agencies.
“The joint security Taskforce shall, starting from tomorrow 5th December 2025, patrol the road 24 hours nonstop, while carrying out massive surveillance in the surrounding bushes using sophisticated drones and other modern security equipment.”
According to the statement, Governor Alex Otti commended the Governor of Imo State for arresting the criminals who carried out an attack on His advanced team and other passengers a few days ago.
“The two Governors, while assuring citizens plying the road on a daily basis and those returning home for Christmas of their safety and security, warn that there would be severe consequences for any criminal caught on the road going forward”, Ekeoma concluded.
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted to the senate two lists of 34 career and 31 non career ambassadors nominees for screening and confirmation.
Prominent names listed as non career ambassadors include Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Victor Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Also listed as non career ambassadors nominees are Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Vice Admiral Ete Ibas, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator Nora Daduut, Fatima Ajimobi, and Senator Ita Enang among others.
The two lists brings to 68 number of persons nominated so far as ambassadors awaiting confirmation by the Senate.
Politics
PRESIDENT TINUBU FORWARDS NEW AMBASSADORIAL LIST TO SENATE, NOMINATES DAMBAZAU, IBAS, CHIOMA OHAKIM AND OTHERS
By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
4-DEC- 2025
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has submitted a fresh set of ambassadorial nominations to the Senate, featuring a mix of distinguished public figures and seasoned professionals drawn from across the country.
Among the notable nominees are former Chief of Army Staff and ex-Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau; former Chief of Naval Staff and immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; former senator Ita Enang; and Mrs. Chioma Ohakim, former First Lady of Imo State.
The President formally transmitted two comprehensive lists containing 34 career and 31 non-career ambassadorial nominees, bringing the total number of nominees awaiting Senate confirmation to 68.
The newly submitted lists mark another significant step in the administration’s ongoing diplomatic restructuring, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s representation and presence across global missions.
The Senate is expected to commence screening and confirmation proceedings in the coming days.
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