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Trump administration

The Trump administration is the White House administration under President Donald Trump. The first Trump administration was 2017-2021, and the second 2025-present. Its primary mission centres on an “America First” agenda, focusing on economic prosperity, deregulation and border security. Key activities included significant tax reform, job creation initiatives and a substantial rollback of regulations across various sectors. Notably, the administration has implemented stricter immigration policies, impacting foreign enrolments in higher education through increased visa restrictions and enhanced vetting, which led to concerns about the appeal of US universities for international students.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has referred to the Trump-Xi summit in Busan as a “historic G2 meeting”. But the designation is loaded and risks alienating US allies, congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi says. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

Hegseth’s G2 description for US-China ties is ‘problematic’, lawmaker says

Democratic representative Krishnamoorthi says term sidelines US allies and partners while making Beijing ‘coequal’ to Washington.

29 minutes agovideocam

Americas and the Caribbean

Explainer | US-Venezuela tensions: how far will Trump go?

48 minutes agovideocam

Donald Trump

Trump calls media reports on his health ‘seditious, perhaps even treasonous’

2 hours ago

US-China relations

US commission wants more Mandarin language courses to curb Beijing’s sway

Move would deepen students’ linguistic and cultural understanding amid cuts to US cultural exchange programmes to China.

11 Dec 2025 - 6:53AM

Students at Yu Ying Public Charter School in Washington perform a Chinese song and dance. The Congressional-Executive Commission on China’s annual report recommends introducing more Mandarin immersion programmes in the US. Photo: Yu Ying Public Charter School

Americas and the Caribbean

‘We keep it’: Trump says US seized oil tanker off Venezuela coast

Venezuela accuses the US of ‘blatant theft’ and ‘international piracy’ after US forces stormed a sanctioned oil tanker in the Caribbean.

55 minutes agovideocam

US-China trade war

US seeks ‘constructive’ reset with China as trade tensions ease: Greer

Trade envoy says Washington aims to steady ties after a bruising tariff year, even as disputes over minerals and AI chips persist.

11 Dec 2025 - 6:22AMvideocam

US-China relations

Chinese boy Yuanxin, 6, speaks with father for first time since ICE detention

Phone call brings ‘relief’ to parent, though officials still will not say where the child is being held.

10 Dec 2025 - 6:17AMvideocam

The location of 6-year-old Yuanxin remains unknown more than a week after he was separated from his father during a routine ICE check-in. Photo: Family picture

US-China trade war

US-China tech thaw? Trump clears Nvidia H200 exports – why it matters

It’s a ‘sliding scale’ strategy, analysts say of Trump’s U-turn – preserve American market share while dampening Beijing’s self-reliance push.

9 Dec 2025 - 10:00PMvideocam

US-China trade war

‘A slap in the face’: some US farmers unhappy with Trump’s US$12 billion bailout

US soybean growers, who were hit hardest by tariff disputes, have voiced frustration that overdue funding falls well short of what they need.

9 Dec 2025 - 8:08AMvideocam

US-China relations

Trump gives green light for Nvidia to sell H200 AI chips in China

The move has upset China hawks in Washington, who are concerned that selling more advanced AI chips to Beijing could help boost its military.

9 Dec 2025 - 7:59AMvideocam

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang speaks at the Nvidia GPU Technology Conference in Washington in October. US President Donald Trump says he will allow the sale of Nvidia H200 AI chips to China. Photo: AFP

United States

Mamdani tells immigrant New Yorkers about their right not to comply with ICE

Mayor-elect’s video instructs New Yorkers on their right to remain silent, film agents, and refuse entry without a judicial warrant signed by a judge.

8 Dec 2025 - 8:49AM

Police and ICE officers stand guard as people gather near a General Services Administration parking lot to prevent ICE from leaving for an immigration raid in New York City. Photo: Reuters

Donald Trump

US Supreme Court to weigh Trump bid to limit birthright citizenship

The Trump admin has argued that the provision doesn’t apply to the babies of immigrants who are in the country illegally or temporarily.

6 Dec 2025 - 1:27PM

China-Latin America relations

Trump’s national security blueprint aims to combat China’s rise in Latin America

Framework pledges to stop competitors from threatening the stability and political alignment of neighbouring countries in the region.

6 Dec 2025 - 7:37AMvideocam

Sexual harassment and assault

US judge orders release of grand jury transcripts in Epstein case

Trump has signed a bill requiring release of all government records involving the convicted sex offender.

6 Dec 2025 - 5:09AMvideocam

A protester holds a sign calling for the release of the Jeffrey Epstein case files outside the US Capitol in November. Photo: TNS

US-China trade war

China’s vice-premier has ‘constructive’ call with US officials Bessent and Greer

Both sides agree to promote the development of bilateral trade ties to ‘expand the list for cooperation and shorten the list of problems’.

6 Dec 2025 - 6:05AMvideocam

China’s Vice-Premier He Lifeng had a productive video call with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Friday. Photo: AFP

United States

US vaccine advisers say not all newborns need hepatitis B shot

Scrapping the recommendation for vaccination at birth will reverse decades of public health gains, disease experts say.

6 Dec 2025 - 1:00AM

US Navy

Investigations reveal combat stress a key factor in costly US Navy mishaps

Reports show mission against Yemen’s Houthis took a toll on the US Navy, highlighting a friendly fire incident, loss of three jets and a ship collision.

5 Dec 2025 - 3:22PM

Americas and the Caribbean

US admiral denies ‘kill them all’ order in Caribbean boat strike

Admiral Frank Bradley briefs US lawmakers on the September 2 Caribbean attack that did not initially kill all on an alleged drug boat.

5 Dec 2025 - 10:23AM

US Navy Admiral Frank ‘Mitch’ Bradley at Capitol Hill in Washington. Photo: Reuters

Artificial intelligence

Senators unveil bill to keep Trump from easing curbs on AI chip sales to China

The SAFE CHIPS Act is a rare effort led in part by Trump’s own party to stop him from further relaxing tech export restrictions on Beijing.

5 Dec 2025 - 4:45AM

China-Latin America relations

China says it is working ‘with all parties’ to prevent escalation in Venezuela

Beijing’s outreach comes amid a US naval build-up and a rare phone call between Trump and Maduro.

5 Dec 2025 - 5:12AM

Americas and the Caribbean

With US warships near, Venezuela’s Maduro describes call with Trump

Phone call occurred amid a massive US military build-up in the region and deadly strikes on alleged drug vessels.

4 Dec 2025 - 3:13PM

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro looks through binoculars during a rally in Caracas on Monday. Photo EPA

US-China relations

Nvidia CEO meets Trump, says he’s not sure if China would accept H200 chips

He says he and the US president discussed export controls before he met lawmakers on the Senate Banking Committee.

4 Dec 2025 - 6:26AMvideocam

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang speaks briefly to reporters in Washington on Wednesday. Photo: EPA

US-China relations

Bessent calls Beijing an ‘ally’ after Trump signs bill on ties with Taiwan

US Treasury Secretary tries to ease further tension after Trump signs act aimed at regularly reviewing and updating guidelines with Taiwan.

4 Dec 2025 - 10:40PMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

China unlikely to aid Maduro if US acts, but may benefit from fallout: analysts

Beijing condemns US pressure on Caracas but offers limited support, prioritising its economic interests and long-term gains.

4 Dec 2025 - 7:01AMvideocam

United States

Hegseth’s Signal use posed risk to US forces, Pentagon review finds

White House ‘stands by’ Pentagon chief Hegseth, who is also under intensifying scrutiny over US strikes in the Caribbean.

4 Dec 2025 - 6:37PMvideocam

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth uses a phone at the White House in February. Photo: Reuters

Sexual harassment and assault

Photos of Epstein’s notorious private island released by US Democrats

The luxury Caribbean hideout is where the convicted sex offender allegedly forced underage girls into sex with powerful men.

4 Dec 2025 - 8:25AM

A drone view shows a pool on Little St James, a small private island formerly owned by the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. Photo: Reuters

United States

US pauses all immigration applications from 19 countries

The pause applies to people from nations that were already subjected to a partial travel ban in June.

3 Dec 2025 - 10:16AM

United States

Trump’s defence chief says he didn’t see survivors or watch second boat strike

A lethal follow-up attack on an alleged drug-carrying vessel has sparked concern about the legality of the strikes.

3 Dec 2025 - 10:25AM

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Trump administration

Hegseth’s G2 description for US-China ties is ‘problematic’, lawmaker says

Democratic representative Krishnamoorthi says term sidelines US allies and partners while making Beijing ‘coequal’ to Washington.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Explainer | US-Venezuela tensions: how far will Trump go?

Trump calls media reports on his health ‘seditious, perhaps even treasonous’

US commission wants more Mandarin language courses to curb Beijing’s sway

Move would deepen students’ linguistic and cultural understanding amid cuts to US cultural exchange programmes to China.

‘We keep it’: Trump says US seized oil tanker off Venezuela coast

Venezuela accuses the US of ‘blatant theft’ and ‘international piracy’ after US forces stormed a sanctioned oil tanker in the Caribbean.

US seeks ‘constructive’ reset with China as trade tensions ease: Greer

Trade envoy says Washington aims to steady ties after a bruising tariff year, even as disputes over minerals and AI chips persist.

Chinese boy Yuanxin, 6, speaks with father for first time since ICE detention

Phone call brings ‘relief’ to parent, though officials still will not say where the child is being held.

US-China tech thaw? Trump clears Nvidia H200 exports – why it matters

It’s a ‘sliding scale’ strategy, analysts say of Trump’s U-turn – preserve American market share while dampening Beijing’s self-reliance push.

‘A slap in the face’: some US farmers unhappy with Trump’s US$12 billion bailout

US soybean growers, who were hit hardest by tariff disputes, have voiced frustration that overdue funding falls well short of what they need.

Trump gives green light for Nvidia to sell H200 AI chips in China

The move has upset China hawks in Washington, who are concerned that selling more advanced AI chips to Beijing could help boost its military.

Mamdani tells immigrant New Yorkers about their right not to comply with ICE

Mayor-elect’s video instructs New Yorkers on their right to remain silent, film agents, and refuse entry without a judicial warrant signed by a judge.

US Supreme Court to weigh Trump bid to limit birthright citizenship

The Trump admin has argued that the provision doesn’t apply to the babies of immigrants who are in the country illegally or temporarily.

Trump’s national security blueprint aims to combat China’s rise in Latin America

Framework pledges to stop competitors from threatening the stability and political alignment of neighbouring countries in the region.

US judge orders release of grand jury transcripts in Epstein case

Trump has signed a bill requiring release of all government records involving the convicted sex offender.

China’s vice-premier has ‘constructive’ call with US officials Bessent and Greer

Both sides agree to promote the development of bilateral trade ties to ‘expand the list for cooperation and shorten the list of problems’.

US vaccine advisers say not all newborns need hepatitis B shot

Scrapping the recommendation for vaccination at birth will reverse decades of public health gains, disease experts say.

Investigations reveal combat stress a key factor in costly US Navy mishaps

Reports show mission against Yemen’s Houthis took a toll on the US Navy, highlighting a friendly fire incident, loss of three jets and a ship collision.

US admiral denies ‘kill them all’ order in Caribbean boat strike

Admiral Frank Bradley briefs US lawmakers on the September 2 Caribbean attack that did not initially kill all on an alleged drug boat.

Senators unveil bill to keep Trump from easing curbs on AI chip sales to China

The SAFE CHIPS Act is a rare effort led in part by Trump’s own party to stop him from further relaxing tech export restrictions on Beijing.

China says it is working ‘with all parties’ to prevent escalation in Venezuela

Beijing’s outreach comes amid a US naval build-up and a rare phone call between Trump and Maduro.

With US warships near, Venezuela’s Maduro describes call with Trump

Phone call occurred amid a massive US military build-up in the region and deadly strikes on alleged drug vessels.

Nvidia CEO meets Trump, says he’s not sure if China would accept H200 chips

He says he and the US president discussed export controls before he met lawmakers on the Senate Banking Committee.

Bessent calls Beijing an ‘ally’ after Trump signs bill on ties with Taiwan

US Treasury Secretary tries to ease further tension after Trump signs act aimed at regularly reviewing and updating guidelines with Taiwan.

China unlikely to aid Maduro if US acts, but may benefit from fallout: analysts

Beijing condemns US pressure on Caracas but offers limited support, prioritising its economic interests and long-term gains.

Hegseth’s Signal use posed risk to US forces, Pentagon review finds

White House ‘stands by’ Pentagon chief Hegseth, who is also under intensifying scrutiny over US strikes in the Caribbean.

Photos of Epstein’s notorious private island released by US Democrats

The luxury Caribbean hideout is where the convicted sex offender allegedly forced underage girls into sex with powerful men.

US pauses all immigration applications from 19 countries

The pause applies to people from nations that were already subjected to a partial travel ban in June.

Trump’s defence chief says he didn’t see survivors or watch second boat strike

A lethal follow-up attack on an alleged drug-carrying vessel has sparked concern about the legality of the strikes.

Explainer | US-Venezuela tensions: how far will Trump go?