'America is Back': Donald Trump Warns for More Tariffs, Vows to End Russia-Ukraine War in Congress Address

Trump suggested that eliminating persistent U.S. trade deficits is the goal of the 20% tariffs he’s imposed on imports from China.

Just days after a heated exchange between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the United States and Ukraine have begun formal discussions on potential peace negotiations with Russia. Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office, and Trump’s National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz, spoke over the phone to discuss the date and location for the next round of talks, according to Zelenskyy’s advisor, Mykhailo Lytvyn, as reported by the Kyiv Post.  

The United States and China exchanged sharp warnings on Wednesday, signaling growing tensions between the two global powers over trade, military strength, and diplomatic relations. In a strong statement, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth emphasized America’s commitment to strengthening its military and maintaining deterrence against potential adversaries.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said there might be carveouts coming to the 25% tariffs placed on Canada and Mexico by President Donald Trump, a sudden backing away after Tuesday's tax hike hurt the stock market, worried consumers and started a trade war.

Many business owners hoped that Trump would avoid actually imposing tariffs on America’s biggest trading partners. No such luck. And the longer the tariffs stick, the more damage they can do, forcing companies to decide between eating higher costs and passing them along to inflation-weary consumers.

Medvedev slams Zelensky's London summit as a sham, calling Europe's peace plans 'stupid and unfeasible'

Comments by U.S. President Donald Trump in a speech to Congress and the nation appeared to have scant impact on world markets. The future for the S&P 500 was up 0.6%, while that for the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.5%.

Kremlin calls Trump's claim of a letter from Zelensky stating that Ukraine is ready for talks 'positive' but notes that Kiev still bans negotiations with Putin

President Donald Trump has urged Congress to pass a bill “permanently banning and criminalizing sex changes for children”. Trump further stated that his administration is working to eliminate wokeness from US schools, the military, and society, calling it a source of trouble.

While addressing a joint session of US Congress, President Donald Trump says, "Lots of things are happening in the Middle East...I am working tirelessly to end this savage conflict in Ukraine. Millions of Ukrainians and Russians have been needlessly killed or wounded in this horrific and brutal conflict with no end in sight...Europe has sadly spent more money buying Russian oil and gas than they have spent on defending Ukraine...we spent perhaps $350 billion."

"I appreciate that he sent this letter, just got it a little while ago. Simultaneously, we've had serious discussions with Russia and have received strong signals that they are ready for peace. Wouldn't that be beautiful," Trump said. 

Trump aims to impose the same tariff rates on imports from foreign countries as those nations impose on US exports. Trump made the announcement during his joint congress session speech.

During his speech at joint congress session, President Trump said Tuesday that Japan and South Korea have expressed interest in partnering with the United States on a $44 billion plan to produce and export natural gas from Alaska, reviving interest in one of the world’s biggest energy projects.

Sharing the viewer's approval rate, Elon Musk hailed Donald Trump. The post was a poll by CBS news showing that 76 per cent of the viewers approved Trump's joint address, while 23 per cent disapproved. 

Trump stated that he is working tirelessly to end the savage conflict in Ukraine, highlighting that thousands of Russians and Ukrainians are being killed each week. He questioned whether people want the conflict to continue for another five years. Trump criticized Europe for spending more money on Russian oil than on aiding Ukraine, contrasting this with the US, which has given hundreds of billions in aid to Ukraine. He also mentioned receiving a letter from Ukraine's President Zelensky, indicating their readiness to sign a mineral deal and end the war.

After speaking for over an hour and 40 minutes, Trump has set a record for the longest address to a joint session of Congress.

Earlier,  President Bill Clinton’s 2000 State of the Union address, which ran 1 hour, 28 minutes and 49 seconds, was the longest session ever.
 

Trump stated that reducing childhood cancer rates and studying autism cases in the US will be the key priorities for the health secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr.

"Our goal is to get toxins out of our environment, poisons out of our food supply and keep our children healthy and strong," he said.

Trump recited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's letter he received on Tuesday, revealing that the wartime leader is eager to return to the negotiating table after a tense Oval Office meeting last week, which had derailed peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.

“We’ve had serious discussions with Russia and have received strong signals that they are ready for peace," Trump said.

“Wouldn’t that be beautiful?”

In a heartfelt moment, Trump appointed DJ, a 13-year-old child diagnosed with cancer, as his new Secret Service director as a member of the force. 

Amid speculations that Trump might ease tariffs on Mexico, Canada and other countries, the US President reiterated his stance saying, "This is happening by friend and foe," adding that reciprocal duties against India, China will kick in on April 2.

"We will take in trillions and trillions of dollars and create jobs like we have never seen before," he said.

"We've been ripped off for decades by every country on Earth, and we will not let that happen any longer."
 

The president then highlights "tax cuts for everybody" and urges Democrats to support the proposed changes.

"I'm sure you're going to vote for those tax cuts," Trump told Democrats in the room, adding, "Otherwise, I don't think the people will ever vote you into office."

"But I know this group will be voting for the tax cuts," he adds, pointing to the Republicans, who respond with loud cheers.

Trump's recent order asserts there are only two immutable sexes, marking it as one of several actions aimed at limiting the rights of transgender individuals.

“I signed an order establishing it as official U.S. government policy that there are only two genders: male and female,” he stated.

These orders have led to significant policy changes, including the exclusion of transgender individuals from the military, the denial of gender marker changes on passports, and the removal of references to transgender people from a website dedicated to commemorating the Stonewall riots. These policies are currently facing legal challenges.

As Trump continues to speak, he asserted he has brought "free speech" back to America and noted he recently made English as the official language of the country.

He went on to say that he "ended the tyranny of DEI in government," emphasizing that "our country will no longer be woke." DEI, which stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, has become a term used to describe diversity initiatives.

He also mentioned his executive order to "ban men from competing in women's sports" and his directive to officially recognize that there are only two sexes.

He then acknowledged his guest in the audience, former high school athlete Peyton McNabb, who claims she was affected by transgender athletes competing in girls' sports.

Speaking further during his speech, Donald Trump expressed gratitude to DOGE and its chief Musk who aims to end wasteful spending.

"And to that end I have created the brand new Department of Government Efficiency - Doge perhaps you've heard of it."

""Thank you very much, we appreciate it. Even this side appreciates, I believe, they just don't want to admit that," he added.
 

Donald Trump pledged to "rescue" the American economy, saying it is "among very highest priorities."

He blamed the Biden administration, saying he inherited an "economic catastrophe and an inflation nightmare."

Speaking on one of his top priorities to reduce immigration in the country, Trump said he has already done much to address what he called a "national emergency" at the US-Mexico border.

He said, "I deployed the US military and border patrol to repel the border invasion of country," adding "illegal crossings last month were by far the lowest recorded - ever."

"They heard my words and chose not to come," Trump added.
 

While speaking at the Congress, Trump tore into Democrats audience after attacking Joe Biden and calling him the worst president in history.

"There is absolutely nothing I can say to make them happy, or to stand, or smile or applaud," he said.

"It's very sad and it just shouldn't be this way," adding "For the good of our nation let's work together and truly make America great again."

A Democrat member was removed from the chamber for creating disruptions during Trump's speech. 

With a loud cheering of USA1 USA! The President began his joint congressional address talking about the first 43 days of his administration.

He said, "Six weeks ago, I stood beneath the dome of this Capitol and proclaimed the dawn of the Golden Age of America. From that moment on, it has been nothing but swift and unrelenting action to usher in the greatest and most successful era in the history of our country. We have accomplished more in 43 days than most administrations accomplish in 4 years or 8 years—and we are JUST GETTING STARTED."

Donald Trump received a huge round of applause, handshakes and a few hugs after he entered the chamber ahead of his address.

Vice President JD Vance and DOGE Chief Elon Musk, one of Trump's close aides, were greeted by handshakes and hugs from ther fellow Republicans.

Some lawmakers on the Democratic side of the aisle are seen wearing the colours of Ukraine — blue and yellow scarves and ties.

Donald Trump is expected to deliver the Congress address shortly

Kaelin Dorr, the Deputy Assistant to the President and White House Deputy Communications Advisor, in a post on X shared how staffers are getting ready for tonight's address.

As per media reports, DOGE Chief and Trump's strong aide Elon Musk is expected to attend Donald Trump’s address to Congres.

Trump's speech is scheduled to begin at 9 pm local time. Viewers can watch it on NPR, which will provide the special coverage and analysis of the president's address and the Democratic response, starting at the same time.

Meanwhile, listeners can tune in via various public radio stations, the NPR app, or by asking their Alexa device to "Ask NPR to play Special Coverage."

Additionally, live in-studio video coverage will be available on NPR.org.