Trump Tackles Putin Talks, South Africa Spat, and EU Tariff Threats in Week 18
Sarah Johnson
May 25, 2025
Brief
Trump discusses Ukraine ceasefire with Putin, spars with South Africa’s Ramaphosa, condemns antisemitic attack, and threatens EU with 50% tariffs in a busy week.
In a whirlwind 18th week in office, President Donald Trump juggled high-stakes diplomacy, trade threats, and a tragic loss in Washington, D.C., all while keeping the world guessing about his next move.
Trump held a pivotal phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, pushing for a ceasefire in the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Fresh off peace talks in Turkey—the first since 2022—Trump emphasized that Kyiv and Moscow must hammer out the details themselves. 'This is a European situation,' he told reporters, signaling a U.S. step back from direct involvement. 'Big egos are at play, but something’s got to give,' he added, hinting at optimism but ready to walk away if talks stall.
Wednesday brought a tense White House meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Trump confronted him over the treatment of White Afrikaner farmers, playing a video showing rows of white crosses he claimed marked 1,000 burial sites. 'It’s a terrible sight,' Trump said, alleging widespread violence against farmers. Ramaphosa, caught off guard, questioned the video’s origins, saying, 'I’ve never seen this.' The White House later clarified the crosses were from a memorial for a murdered farming couple, not actual graves, but stood by the video’s message.
Tragedy struck Wednesday when a gunman killed two Israeli Embassy staffers, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, outside the Capital Jewish Museum. The couple, set to get engaged in Jerusalem, became victims of what the White House called a vile act of antisemitism. Authorities arrested 31-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, identified as a pro-Palestinian suspect. Trump condemned the attack on Truth Social, writing, 'These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!' White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt vowed justice, saying Attorney General Pam Bondi would ensure the perpetrator faces the full force of the law.
On Friday, Trump turned his sights on trade, threatening a 50% tariff on European Union imports starting June 1, 2025. Frustrated by what he called the EU’s 'ridiculous' trade barriers and a $250 billion trade deficit, Trump signaled the move as a wake-up call. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent echoed the sentiment, noting the EU’s proposals lag behind those of other trade partners. The threat comes after Trump secured a historic trade deal with the U.K., following his April 2 'Liberation Day' tariff announcements, which included a 145% tariff on Chinese goods.
From war talks to trade wars, Trump’s week was a masterclass in keeping the global stage on edge.
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Editor's Comments
Trump’s week was like a geopolitical soap opera—calling Putin, schooling Ramaphosa, and waving a tariff stick at the EU. Wonder if he’ll send the EU a bill for the drama? And those crosses in South Africa? More symbolic than a politician’s promise, but they sure got Ramaphosa’s attention. Meanwhile, the D.C. tragedy reminds us hate doesn’t take a day off. Trump’s juggling act: bold or bonkers? You decide.
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