White House Eyes Shutdown Exit

2025-10-20 23:22 By Farida Husna 1 min. read

White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett said Monday the government shutdown is “likely to end sometime this week,” though warned that if it doesn’t, the Trump administration may resort to “stronger measures” to pressure Democrats.

Speaking on CNBC, Hassett’s remarks come as the shutdown enters its third week, with no resolution in sight amid a partisan standoff over federal funding.

Republicans are pushing for a short-term funding bill to maintain current spending levels, while Democrats insist any deal must include expanded health-care provisions—specifically, an extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits set to expire at year’s end.



News Stream
Trump Unveils Up to 100% Tariff on Some Pharmaceuticals, Adjusts Metals
US President Donald Trump on Thursday ordered 100% tariffs on certain branded pharmaceutical imports but carved out broad exemptions, leaving many companies facing a 0% rate, Reuters reported. The tariffs will not apply universally, with caps at 15% under trade deals with the EU, Japan, South Korea, and Switzerland. Separately, the US and Britain finalized a pact guaranteeing zero tariffs on British-made pharmaceuticals for at least three years as Britain expands US production. Meanwhile, the administration overhauled metals duties: a new proclamation halved tariffs to 25% on many steel, aluminum, and copper derivatives, and eliminated them on products with minimal metal content, while keeping the 50% duty on core commodity imports intact.
2026-04-02
U.S. May Tap Foreign Ships to Ease Energy Crunch
The Trump administration is weighing a temporary waiver of the Jones Act, the century-old law requiring U.S.-flagged ships to carry goods between domestic ports, as part of efforts to ease surging oil and gasoline prices. Bloomberg News said a 30-day exemption would permit foreign vessels to transport energy and agricultural cargo, including crude, gasoline, diesel, LNG, and fertilizer, between U.S. ports. The move could allow cheaper international tankers to ship Gulf Coast crude to East Coast refineries and deliver fuel to densely populated regions. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the proposal is under review “in the interest of national defence” to ensure supplies flow freely, though no final decision has been made.
2026-03-12
Trump Team Considers Steps to Ease Oil Price Spike
The Trump administration is weighing measures to counter surging oil and gasoline prices amid the war in Iran, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said Thursday, noting that “everything is being considered,” from immediate steps to longer-term actions. Trump met with Burgum and senior advisers before announcing plans to provide insurance guarantees and naval escorts for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil shipments. The move seeks to safeguard tanker traffic as regional tensions threaten supply flows. Officials are also reviewing a possible release of crude from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, potentially in coordination with other countries to amplify market impact, though no decision has been made.
2026-03-05