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The Speaker’s Lobby: ‘Whose throat do I get to choke?’
It was a split screen Tuesday morning on Capitol Hill.
One eye on the markets. The other eye on the Senate testimony of U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
«Do you think your remarks will alter the markets in any way?» yours truly asked Greer as he walked to the hearing room in the Dirksen Senate Office Building.
«I’m just going to respond to the senators. Be candid as I can be,» replied Greer.
TRUMP TRADE REP TAKES BIPARTISAN FIRE OVER TARIFFS AS DEM LAUNCHES BID TO HALT THEM
The public has heard a lot about tariffs from Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
They’ve heard a lot about tariffs from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
They’ve heard even more about tariffs from White House advisor Peter Navarro.
But until Tuesday morning, there was little said about tariffs from the man in charge of the administration’s trade policy: Jamieson Greer.
All eyes were on two things Tuesday morning — the stock market and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. (AP/Getty Images)
«The president’s strategy is already bearing fruit,» Greer testified. «Nearly 50 countries have approached me personally to discuss the president’s new policy and explore how to achieve reciprocity.»
Democrats were dubious about Greer’s suggestion. Yes, nations may be willing to negotiate. But carving out sophisticated trade agreements with nations just sanctioned by the U.S. takes time.
«You’re telling us you have nearly 50 countries coming to you, approaching you to enter into negotiation, and you think that you can do that overnight?» asked Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev. «You’re pretty superhuman here, if that’s the case.»
TRUMP TRADE CHIEF FACES HOUSE GRILLING ON TARIFFS
Greer tangled with Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H.
«Even if inflation hits Americans’ pocketbooks at 10% because of these tariffs, then the Trump administration is still going to go charging ahead?» asked Hassan.
«Senator, your hypotheticals are not consistent with the history we have seen with tariffs,» Greer replied.
Greer got the third degree from members of Congress on both sides of the political aisle. (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
«My hypotheticals are based on the fact that a lot of Americans are looking at their 401(k)’s today and wondering how much of a lifestyle change they are going to have to have or whether they’re going to be able to retire when they plan to,» Hassan shot back. «This has been a haphazard, incompetent effort. And it’s showing.»
After rough showings, the markets actually shot up at the opening bell Tuesday before Greer spoke. It didn’t appear that anything Greer told senators resonated positively or negatively on Wall Street. But lawmakers were well attuned to the market fluctuations.
Especially as they started to hear from constituents.
TRUMP SAYS HE’LL ‘TAKE A LOOK’ AT EXEMPTING SOME LARGER US COMPANIES HIT ESPECIALLY HARD BY TARIFFS
Outside the hearing room, Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., offered one of his signature Bayou homilies to characterize the unfolding trade war.
«God created the world. But everything else is made in China,» said Kennedy.
«But senator, isn’t the bigger issue here the question of the uncertainty in the markets and rattling around?» I asked Kennedy.
«Well, there’s always uncertainty,» answered Kennedy.
«But this is a different type of uncertainty, though, Senator,» I countered.
«Is it going to have to have an impact on your capital markets? Well, yes. Duh. And it’s not fun. It’s very, very painful. Whether this will have a happy ending or a sad ending depends in large part what President Trump does next,» said Kennedy.
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., acknowledged the fate of the market lies largely in the hands of President Trump and whatever his administration does next. (Eric Lee/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
And that’s the key to the entire enterprise. It doesn’t matter what Lutnick does. Or Bessent. Or Navarro. And not Greer. For better or worse, this is President Trump’s baby. Only he can move markets. And potentially trade deals. And that’s certainly what unfolded in recent days.
Democrats — and some Republicans — excoriated the president for unilaterally imposing the tariffs. Lawmakers asked the reasoning for imposing the tariffs. And they argued that the tariffs should have been an issue which came to Capitol Hill.
«Where was the consultation with Congress about this? Where is the homework? You know, Greek and Roman letters thrown on a plaque doesn’t mean a strategy that you’ve informed Congress on,» Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., the top Democrat on the Senate Commerce Committee, asked. «And part of the question is, where’s the homework done by the administration to not misconstrue the authority that was given?»
SCHUMER SAYS TRUMP ‘FEELING THE HEAT’ AFTER RECIPROCAL TARIFF PAUSE
Cantwell may not have received a sufficient answer from the Trump administration on the rationale. But Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., answered the other part of the question about why the President cut Congress out of the loop.
«Let’s not pretend that this is anything other than the president exercising the statutory authority Congress has given him for decades,» said Hawley. «Because Congress didn’t want to do tariffs, they didn’t want to do trade, it was too hot. They wanted the president to hold the hot potato. So now you’ve got a President who’s happy to do that.»
Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution declares that Congress has the «Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States.»
«Let’s not pretend that this is anything other than the president exercising the statutory authority Congress has given him for decades,» Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said of Trump’s imposition of tariffs. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative says the U.S. is a signatory to more than 14 total trade pacts. Congress has ratified several of those in recent years. That includes the USMCA. That’s a trade pact President Trump pushed – alongside former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., in 2020 for the U.S., Mexico and Canada. That deal replaced NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement, approved by Congress in 1993. Congress also greenlighted «CAFTA, the Central American Free Trade Agreement, in 2005.
So, Congress has engaged in trade somewhat in recent decades. But maybe not as much as it should have.
Greer appeared for a second time on Capitol Hill Wednesday, testifying before the House Ways and Means Committee.
TRUMP PUSHES BACK ON ‘REBEL’ REPUBLICANS OVER TARIFFS: ‘YOU DON’T NEGOTIATE LIKE I NEGOTIATE’
«Any deal that you do, are you going to bring that to Congress for a vote?» asked Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash.,
«We’ll do what the law requires. Some of it’s consultation. Some requires a vote. So we’ll follow the law,» replied Greer.
But DelBene pressed Greer on the president using emergency powers on the tariffs. She quoted from the statute.
Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., pressed Greer on the Trump administration’s leveraging of executive powers. (Reuters)
«It states, ‘The President, in every possible instance, shall consult with Congress before exercising any powers,’» said DelBene. «That didn’t happen.»
Greer said he called Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., and the top Democrat on the panel, Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass.
«I argue that we did not have that consultation,» said DelBene, who sits on the trade subcommittee.
WHITE HOUSE WARNS AGAINST TARIFF RETALIATION, SAYS TRUMP ‘HAS SPINE OF STEEL AND HE WILL NOT BREAK’
But less than two hours later — with Greer still testifying — President Trump announced he was now pausing most tariffs for three months. But still imposing steep tariffs on China.
Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nev., was apoplectic.
«He announced it on a tweet?» an incredulous Horsford asked of Greer. «WTF? Who’s in charge?»
Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nev., appeared beyond furious with the rollout of Trump’s tariff plan. (Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for Congressional Black Caucus Foundation)
«The president of United States is in charge,» Greer said.
«And what do you know about those details?» countered Horsford. «It looks like your boss just pulled the rug out from under you.»
Horsford later asked if what the President executed was «market manipulation.» Greer said it wasn’t.
HOUSE DEMOCRAT SAYS HE’D VOTE TO PROTECT TRUMP’S TARIFF PLAN, WORRIES WHITE HOUSE WILL STAND DOWN
So, when the hearing adjourned, yours truly and Nikole Killion of CBS pursued Greer to get more clarity on the president’s new strategy.
«Can you explain why you were caught flat-footed about the change in the trade policy? Were you aware of any of this?» I asked Greer before he stepped into an anteroom.
We resumed the quest in the hall.
«Were you not told about this?» I asked.
«Did you know before your testimony?» added Killion.
«I’ll just refer you to my testimony,» said Greer.
«Your testimony did not reflect what it was implemented during the hearing,» I followed up.
«I’ll just refer you to my testimony,» Greer repeated.
«But that’s inconsistent with the decision of the president,» I said.
I tried to get a few answers out of Greer after one of his hearings. He remained fairly mum on most of what he was asked. (FOX)
An aide to Greer then intervened.
«I think the ambassador was extremely clear in his testimony about what was going on, and the president could make the choice,» the aide interjected.
«Explain why you don’t think that this was market manipulation. You said it wasn’t,» I followed up.
HOUSE CONSERVATIVES READY TO OPPOSE SENATE GOP FRAMEWORK FOR TRUMP TAX CUT PACKAGE
«Were you aware that there would be a pause before you came here to Capitol Hill? Yes or no? Yes or No, sir?» Killion continued.
Greer then disappeared down a winding staircase in the Longworth House Office Building.
Let’s shift back to the Senate hearing on Tuesday with Greer.
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who faces a potential uphill battle for re-election next year, was more blunt in his questioning of Greer, asking, «Whose throat do I get to choke if this proves to be wrong?» (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., could face a competitive re-election bid next year. He asked a pointed question to Greer.
«Whose throat do I get to choke if this proves to be wrong?» Tillis asked.
«Well, Senator, you can certainly always talk to me,» replied Greer.
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«So, if you own this decision, I’ll look to you to figure out if we’re going to be successful,» said Tillis. «If you don’t own the decision, I’m just trying to figure out who’s throat I get to choke if it’s wrong.»
Congress,Trade,Trump’s First 100 Days,Economy,Senate,House Of Representatives
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Hamas endgame is ‘long-term’ and is playing out for all to see as Israel pushes deeper into Gaza
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Israel’s security cabinet overnight Thursday approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal to defeat Hamas, including taking control of Gaza City, after the Palestinian terror group torpedoed U.S.-mediated negotiations.
However, questions remain as to what the terrorist organization’s endgame is, and if they can be fully defeated.
«Hamas is an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood. It is a radical jihadi organization with a written and spoken goal to annihilate the State of Israel and replace it with a Sharia-based regime,» Jonathan Conricus, former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson and senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital.
«They operate according to that aim and objective. Hamas’s October 7 terror attack was part of how they planned to fulfill that goal—defeating Israel, killing all the Jews, and taking control of the area.
NETANYAHU CONFIRMS ISRAEL WILL TAKE CONTROL OF GAZA TO ‘LIBERATE’ PEOPLE FROM HAMAS
Hamas terrorists marching in Gaza during a parade. (Getty Images)
«They are strategic, calculated, and extremely cynical—but definitely not suicidal,» he added. «They may employ suicidal tactics, but their strategic aim is long-term and deliberate.»
For example, Hamas’ «starvation» campaign generated significant international pressure on Israel, leading to steps such as the IDF announcing tactical pauses in fighting and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip in coordination with international partners.
In the span of a week late last month, the leaders of France, the United Kingdom and Canada announced their intention to recognize a Palestinian state, which the Israeli government denounced as a reward for terror.
In a recent interview with Al Jazeera, senior Hamas terror leader Ghazi Hamad said, «The initiative by several countries to recognize a Palestinian state is one of the fruits of October 7.»
A Palestinian flag flies as Hamas supporters take part in a rally marking the 30th anniversary of Hamas’ founding, in Gaza City on Dec. 14, 2017. (REUTERS/Suhaib Salem)
Conricus said that such recognition has emboldened them. «They’ve hardened their negotiating stance and made it clear they don’t feel the need to compromise—which, of course, has a direct impact on the lives of the Israeli hostages.»
U.S.-mediated negotiations aimed at securing a ceasefire and the release of the 50 remaining captives have stalled, with Hamas showing increasing inflexibility, according to officials familiar with the talks.
Last month, U.S. special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff said Washington was weighing «alternative options» as Hamas «does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith.»
NETANYAHU’S SECURITY CABINET TO MEET ON GAZA WAR, AS SOME IN ISRAEL CALL TO RESETTLE ENCLAVE
Members of the Hamas terror group gather in Gaza in preparation for the release of four female hostages as part of the ceasefire deal with Israel. (TPS-IL)
Palestinian affairs analyst Khaled Abu Toameh told Fox News Digital that Hamas’s position has been clear since the start of the war: to prevent Israel from achieving its objectives of removing the terror group from power and rescuing the hostages by force.
«It’s important for Hamas to be seen as emerging triumphant. They believe they’ve reached a point of no return.
«They know the international community will place the blame on Israel as the casualty toll rises. There is no pressure on Hamas to stop,» he added.
At the end of the day, Abu Toameh said, Hamas’s long-term strategy is to ensure its continued existence so it can carry on its jihad against Israel.
This image, made from undated bodycam video footage taken by a downed Hamas terrorist and released by the Israel Defense Forces, shows a Hamas terrorist walking around a residential neighborhood at an undisclosed location in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. (Israel Defense Forces via AP)
«October 7 was just another phase in this jihad,» he said. «It’s a jihad that began shortly after Hamas’s founding, when they unveiled their charter in 1988. The charter explicitly states that this land—the holy land, from the river to the sea—is Muslim-owned and will be liberated through jihad. It didn’t start with October 7, and it won’t end with October 7,» Abu Toameh warned.
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Experts say to understand the terror group is to simply look at its founding charter, which describes the «struggle against the Jews» as «very great and very serious,» requiring «all sincere efforts.» It calls the Palestinian terror group «one squadron» of a wider Arab and Islamic force that must continue fighting until «the enemy is vanquished and Allah’s victory is realized.»
world,israel,terrorism,conflicts,middle east
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Familiares de los rehenes de Hamas alertan que el plan de ocupar ciudad de Gaza conducirá a una “catástrofe colosal”
El Foro de Familias de Rehenes y Desaparecidos ha condenado este viernes la decisión “imprudente” del Gobierno israelí liderado por el primer ministro Benjamin Netanyahu de ocupar la ciudad de Gaza, ya que conduce a Israel a una “catástrofe colosal” y supone “abandonar” a su suerte a los secuestrados en manos del Movimiento de Resistencia Islámica (Hamás).
“Al optar por la escalada militar en lugar de la negociación, estamos dejando a nuestros seres queridos a merced de Hamas, una organización terrorista maligna que sistemáticamente priva de comida y maltrata a los rehenes”, han subrayado en un comunicado.
Los familiares de los rehenes han argumentado que el Gobierno ha “ignorado por completo las reiteradas advertencias” de la cúpula militar y la “clara voluntad” del pueblo israelí. “La expansión de los combates solo pone en mayor peligro a quienes aún permanecen retenidos en los túneles de Gaza”, han reiterado.
No obstante, han afirmado que “aún no es demasiado tarde” y han hecho un llamamiento a la ciudadanía a “detener esta peligrosa” deriva. “La única manera de traer a los rehenes a casa es mediante un acuerdo. Basta de guerras inútiles. No nos quedaremos de brazos cruzados”, han zanjado.
El Gobierno de Israel ha aprobado en la madrugada de este viernes la propuesta de Netanyahu sobre una escalada de la ofensiva militar en Gaza que incluye la ocupación de la homónima capital del enclave en base a premisas como “la desmilitarización” y el control de su seguridad, así como “el regreso de todos los rehenes, tanto vivos como fallecidos”.
Un 30 % de los israelíes cree que su país debe continuar con la presión militar y ocupar la Franja de Gaza, incluso a costa de dañar las vidas de los rehenes, según una encuesta publicada este viernes por el diario Maariv.
La encuesta se hizo los pasados días 6 y 7, cuando ya se habían filtrado informaciones de la intención del primer ministro israelí, Benjamín Netanyahu, de tomar el control de todo el enclave palestino.
Este viernes de madrugada, el gabinete de seguridad del Gobierno israelí aprobó un plan para continuar la ofensiva en Gaza que incluye ocupar ciudad de Gaza, una urbe con un millón de personas, que serán desplazadas al sur.
Según la encuesta, realizada a 504 personas con un error de muestreo máximo del 4,4 %, la mayoría de los israelíes (un 57 %) cree sin embargo que Israel debería esforzarse por lograr un acuerdo con Hamás para liberar a los rehenes a cambio del fin de la guerra y la retirada de la Franja de Gaza.
Respecto a las negociaciones para un alto el fuego entre Hamás e Israel, un 66 % opina que el grupo islamista es responsable de su fracaso, ya sea exclusivamente (44 %) o principalmente (22 %); el 15 % culpa a Israel y el 13 % dice que ambas partes son igualmente responsables.
El gabinete de seguridad del Gobierno de Israel dio luz verde en la madrugada de este viernes a un plan militar propuesto por Netanyahu que incluye ocupar ciudad de Gaza.
En declaraciones a la cadena estadounidense Fox News anteriores a la reunión del gabinete, Netanyahu afirmó que su objetivo era ocupar toda Gaza, pero que no pretende quedársela ni gobernarla, sino mantener un “perímetro de seguridad” y entregarla a “fuerzas árabes que la gobiernen” sin amenazar a Israel y sin Hamas.
Las fuerzas armadas israelíes se han mostrado reacias a este plan, que supone operar en lugares donde se encuentran retenidos los rehenes (quedan 20 vivos y 30 muertos), por temor a que las milicias palestinas en Gaza los ejecuten ante el avance de las tropas, como ya ocurrió a finales de agosto de 2024 con seis cautivos, hallados el 1 de septiembre.
Según la oficina de la ONU para la Coordinación de Asuntos Humanitarios (OCHA), el 88 % del enclave palestino está sometido ya a órdenes de desplazamiento forzoso o se ha convertido en una área militarizada del Ejército israelí, que cifra en un 75 % el territorio controlado por sus fuerzas.
(Con información de Europa Press y EFE)
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