Axios

President Trump held a phone call Thursday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and discussed Hungary's decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), Netanyahu's office said.

Why it matters: The ICC issued an arrest warrant against Netanyahu for alleged war crimes during the war in Gaza. His visit to Hungary on Thursday was the first time he traveled to a country under the court's jurisdiction — but Orbán announced ahead of his arrival that Hungary would be withdrawing from the ICC.

Apple's leaders, customers and fans are all holding their breath to see whether Trump's gigantic new tariffs will hamstring the iPhone maker.

Why it matters: Steve Jobs and Tim Cook built the most successful and arguably most beloved U.S. company for the last 25 years on a foundation of open trade, particularly with China.

Fifteen Senate Democrats backed a pair of resolutions from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) to withhold billions of dollars in offensive weapons sales and other military aid to Israel.

Why it matters: The votes split the party, revealing continued internal divisions over Democrats' views on the war in Gaza and support for the Israeli government. The measures failed 15-82 and 15-83.

President Trump's announcement Wednesday that the U.S. will impose a baseline 10% tariff on imports, with heavier reciprocal levies on goods from some countries, has left world leaders reeling.

The big picture: The reciprocal tariffs will impact dozens of nations, including some of the country's largest trading partners.

Trans and nonbinary citizens of at least eight European countries are being warned that they must designate one "sex" on their travel forms in the U.S. — and it has to reflect the gender they were assigned at birth.

The big picture: The Trump administration's sweeping rollbacks on transgender rights included a day-one executive order that declared the government recognizes two sexes, male and female, that are "not changeable."

At least eight European countries have adjusted travel guidelines for citizens seeking to enter the U.S. as the Trump administration has implemented several rollbacks on transgender rights.

The big picture: Finland, Denmark and several other U.S. allies urged cautionary planning for trans and nonbinary travelers seeking to enter the U.S. following an executive order requiring the federal government to recognize only two sexes: male and female.

President Trump's "Liberation Day" tariff plan is one of the biggest, most abrupt economic gambles in presidential history.

• He acted against the advice of most business leaders, many economists and even some Republican officials.

Why it matters: The reciprocal tariffs, which go into effect in one week, target vital trading partners with massive levies — the kind that could raise consumer prices, interrupt business activity and upend global trade.

Officials in the European Union, China and North American neighbor Canada say they're preparing countermeasures in response to President Trump's announcement of sweeping tariffs on U.S. imports.

Why it matters: A global trade war is heating up following Trump's announcement of a baseline 10% tariff on U.S. imports, with higher levies hitting China, the EU and elsewhere, which threatens to trigger stagflation with profound consequences for global economies, per Axios' Ben Berkowitz.

President Trump's sweeping tariffs announced Wednesday extend to countries and territories across the world — including the uninhabited Heard Island and McDonald Islands in the sub-Antarctic Indian Ocean.

The big picture: The remote UNESCO World Heritage-listed Australian territory, which features a mostly barren landscape, was included in the list of baseline 10% taxes on U.S. imports, along with mainland Australia.

President Trump unveiled tariffs of at least 10% Wednesday on virtually the entire world, with one notable exception: Russia.

The intrigue: Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Axios Wednesday that Russia was left off because U.S. sanctions already "preclude any meaningful trade." However, the U.S. still trades more with Russia than with countries like Mauritius or Brunei that did make Trump's tariffs list.

The White House says President Trump's trade policy will come to a head on April 2, when the administration unveils a plan for reciprocal tariffs.

Why it matters: The new tariff regime will take aim at trading partners that officials believe treat domestic exporters unfairly.

In today's global security environment, one needs to be "watching everywhere," according to Karl Rosander, the chief executive at Nordic Air Defence.

• There are concerns across the greater Middle East, tensions between the U.S. and China, and pressures from Russia, "which has proven to have no hesitations to use any military means to disrupt European security," he told Axios in an interview.
• "With or without [Vladimir] Putin, Russia will be an existential threat to Europe."

The U.S. will deploy ship-sinking missile launchers in the Philippines this spring as part of a military exercise also involving Australia and Japan.

Why it matters: The planned appearance of the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System, or NMESIS, at Balikatan 2025 comes amid games of chicken in the South China Sea.

• Beijing also continues to protest the U.S. Army's Mid-Range Capability, or Typhon, which will be tested fired at Talisman Sabre, another drill, according to Defense News.

The White House is seriously considering an Iranian proposal for indirect nuclear talks, while at the same time significantly boosting U.S. forces in the Middle East in case President Trump opts for military strikes, two U.S. officials tell Axios.

Why it matters: Trump has repeatedly said he'd prefer a deal, but warned that without one "there will be bombing." His timeline is tight: Trump gave Iran a two-month deadline to reach a deal, but it's not clear if and when that clock started ticking.

U.S. tourists and permanent residents from around the world have been arrested, detained and deported under the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

Why it matters: The recent high-profile detentions and deportations demonstrate an escalation in tactics from immigration officials accused of targeting some for their political stances or involvement.

First lady Melania Trump honored eight women from around the world she said "instigate progress for all of humanity" at an awards ceremony with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday.

The big picture: "These extraordinary women illuminate the transformative power of love in shaping our world," she said at the 19th annual International Women of Courage awards ceremony, which the State Department says honors women "who have demonstrated exceptional courage, strength, and leadership — often at great personal risk and sacrifice."

Russian President Vladimir Putin's close adviser Kirill Dmitriev is expected to visit Washington this week for talks on Ukraine with President Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff, two U.S. officials tell Axios. He'll be the most senior Russian visitor to Washington since the 2022 invasion.

Why it matters: Trump said Saturday that he was "pissed off" at Putin for his recent comments on Ukraine and warned of economic penalties if Russia blocks his ceasefire push. The visit from Dmitriev is a chance to break the stalemate in negotiations.