Today's top stories in US news, politics, government, and world affairs:
President Trump made international news this week when he announced his plans to levy a 25% tariff on imports of all goods from Mexico and Canada, accusing both countries of facilitating illegal immigration and fentanyl abuse in the U.S. The new Mexican President, Claudia Sheinbaum, shot back and said Mexico would retaliate if Trump imposed tariffs, as it did in 2018. As the Wall Street Journal asks, are Trump’s threats part of a negotiating ploy to wring concessions on trade and other policy priorities from U.S. trading partners, or is it the start of a sustained campaign to reshape global trade and the American economy? And will these tariffs lead to a looming trade war with Canada and Mexico?
There was a unique analysis conducted which compares the GDP of individual states in the United States with European nations. What is striking is that America's poorest state - which is Mississippi - is still richer as a state than the entire nations of the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Japan. And if you look at America’s second-poorest state - West Virginia, and the third-poorest state - Arkansas, both have larger GDP’s as states than G7 Nations like Canada and Germany.
This week, as Americans across the nation celebrate Thanksgiving, it's important to remember just how much we have to be thankful for, and just how lucky we are for having the privilege of calling this country home. It's an important opportunity to remind Americans of our country's constitutional protections - those written rules to protect the freedoms of its citizens from the government - and to remember just how sacred they are when compared to nations across the globe .And the best way to show appreciation as we officially enter the holiday season, is to help make life better for your fellow neighbor, and help make our country an even better place than we found it.