President Trump said on Wednesday that he would impose a 25% tariff on select semiconductors, including the Nvidia chips it plans to sell in China.
Why it matters: The tariffs are part of a broader deal, one in which the U.S. government will reap revenues from allowing Nvidia to sell AI processors in China.
The White House announced on Wednesday that it was launching "phase two" of the Gaza ceasefire agreement with the establishment of a new Palestinian technocratic government.
Why it matters: U.S. officials worry the situation in Gaza could deteriorate into a renewed war unless there is progress toward implementing the second phase of the deal, which involves Hamas giving up its weapons, Israel pulling its troops back, and new governing and security structures coming into force.
The U.S. started evacuating sometroops from al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar and several other bases in the region ahead of a potential military conflict with Iran over the protests in the country, two sources with knowledge tell Axios.
Why it matters: President Trump is weighing the possibility of launching strikes against Iran in response to the mass killing of protesters. Iran has threatened to retaliate by attacking U.S. forces in the region.
Oil prices have risen to their highest levels since last fall as traders weigh the prospect of the U.S. striking Iran amid the regime's bloody crackdown on protesters.
Why it matters: Iran is OPEC's fourth-largest producer, pumping well over three million barrels per day and exporting over 1 million barrels per day despite U.S. sanctions, with most flowing to China.
The world's understandingofhow President Trump intends to wield the American military and influence the industry that arms it changed dramatically in two weeks flat.
The big picture: In the earliest days of the new year, the commander in chief dispatched troops to capture Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro and warned Colombia, Cuba, Greenland and Mexico they could be next.
Senate Republican leaders are eyeing a procedural maneuver on the Venezuela war powers resolution that could spare President Trump an embarrassing defeat.
Why it matters: Trump went ballistic after five Republicans voted with Democrats to move forward with the resolution last week. Now GOP leaders are pressuring the defectors and considering blocking the bill from coming to the floor.
White House envoy Steve Witkoff met secretly over the weekend with the exiled former crown prince of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, to discuss the protests raging in Iran, according to a senior U.S. official.
Why it matters: This was the first high-level meeting between the Iranian opposition and the Trump administration since the protests began 15 days ago. Pahlavi is attempting to position himself to step in as a "transitional" leader if the regime falls.
China's government last week confirmed that it will review Meta's $2.5 billion acquisition of Manus AI, whose core team last year relocated from China to Singapore.
Why it matters: This could signal an end to "Singapore-washing," a strategy that's helped a number of Chinese tech companies secure foreign investment and commercial contracts.
President Trump called on the Iranian people on Tuesday to "keep protesting" and "take over" government institutions.
Why it matters: This is the most explicit backing Trump has given to the idea of toppling the Iranian regime since the protests started more than two weeks ago. While Trump said "help is on its way," he didn't say what form it would take.
Many of the world's top central bankers rallied behind Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell on Tuesday, issuing a rare joint defense after the Trump administration opened a criminal investigation into him.
Why it matters: The banking establishment fearsTrump's pressure campaign against Powell could destabilize the global economy. If America's central bank loses credibility, every part of the economy — mortgage rates, grocery bills, wages — could suffer.
The climate agenda's fall from grace over the past year has been stunning — in speed, scale and scope.
Why it matters: Whether this collapse in climate-changeambition proves permanent or temporary will shape the planet — which is still warming in unprecedented ways — and trillions of dollars in global energy investment.
The investigation into the killing of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good would likely be going very differently if a local police officer, instead of an ICE agent, had pulled the trigger last week in Minneapolis.
Why it matters: A local police shooting usually initiates a multi-agency investigation and the threat of prosecution. An ICE agent shooting is handled almost entirely inside the federal government — where accountability is far harder to reach.
A former U.S. Navy sailor found guilty of spying for China was sentenced to 200 months in prison on Monday, officials announced.
The big picture: Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche in a Monday statement saidJinchao Wei was an "active-duty U.S. Navy sailor betrayed his country and compromised the national security of the United States" by selling military secrets to a Chinese intelligence officer.
A House Democrat is introducing legislation that would block President Trump from making good on his threats to either purchase Greenland or take it by force, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: It's in direct competition with a Republican bill also introduced on Monday that would authorize Trump to "take such steps as may be necessary" to acquire the Danish-controlled island territory.
Why it matters: The shooting of Luis David Nino-Moncada and Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras in the parking lot of a health facility in East Portland has roiled the city, sparking protests over the weekend and condemnation of heavy-handed immigration enforcement.
