Mon Jul 14 16:00:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summarized news article based on the provided text:
**Trump Threatens “Severe Tariffs” on Russia Amid Ukraine War, Faces Scrutiny on China Policy**
WASHINGTON – Former President Donald Trump announced potential “very severe tariffs,” including secondary tariffs at 100%, on Russia if a peace deal isn’t reached in Ukraine within 50 days. This came during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who is coordinating European efforts to supply Ukraine with weapons. Trump emphasized that the US wouldn’t be directly funding the arms shipments, but that NATO member countries would purchase weapons from the US to give to Ukraine.
Meanwhile, a Senate Foreign Relations Committee report from Democratic members accuses the Trump administration of ceding global influence to China through cuts to international aid, research funding, and alienation of allies. The report argues these actions created a void Beijing is filling.
Adding to the trade tensions, EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic warned that Trump’s threat to impose 30% tariffs on EU goods starting August 1st risks undermining trans-Atlantic trade relations. Sefcovic expressed surprise at the abrupt about-face on talks with the EU, just weeks after seemingly reaching an agreement.
Other news from the week include:
* President Trump is scheduled to conduct a state visit to Britain from September 17th-19th.
* Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem denied reports of federal disaster-aid delays in Texas and called it “fake news”.
* Former Secret Service director Kimberly A. Cheatle responded to criticism against her after a security failure lead to the near assassination of Donald J. Trump a year ago.
First Piper 