8 weeks in Office, 14 things the Trump administration did this week

The week marks eighth week of Donald Trump’s second term which has been filled with dizzying ping-pong of tariffs and counter-tariffs, and Ukraine peace talks with officials from both Kyiv and Moscow.

The US president and his administration continue to make headlines as they forge ahead with their policies. Here’s a quick look at some of their biggest recent moves.

1) Escalated trade war

Trump went ahead with his plan for a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminium products coming from the rest of the world.

But his team halted its plan to double US tariffs on imports of Canadian steel and aluminium to 50%, only hours after threatening America’s northern neighbour in another skirmish in their trade war.

The rollback came after Ontario Premier Doug Ford said his province would suspend new charges of 25% on electricity that it sends across the border.

2) Refused to rule out a recession as stocks tumbled

Tariffs and the unpredictable threats of new ones raised concerns among investors, particularly in light of a question Trump appeared to dodge over the weekend about whether the US economy was headed for a downward turn.

3) Took a shot at the EU, threatening alcohol tariffs

US allies across the Atlantic also weren’t spared by Trump’s tariff threats, as he took to his Truth Social network on Thursday to threaten European Union countries with a 200% tariff on alcohol.

His alcohol tariffs are the latest escalation in a separate trade war with EU nations, who earlier that day unveiled their own counter-tariffs to Trump’s steel and aluminium tariffs.

4) Extended an olive branch to Canadian premier

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the “temperature was brought down” this week between the US and Canada thanks largely to an olive branch that was extended by US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

The two nations struck a more diplomatic tone by the end of the week – which begun with a frenzy of tariffs and counter-tariffs.

5) Held peace talks with Ukraine and Russia

A proposal for a 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine was unveiled this week in Saudi Arabia. It was the most recent step in the Trump administration’s plans to secure peace in the region after more than three years of full-scale war.

6) Lifted suspension in aid to Ukraine

Tuesday’s talks in Saudi Arabia did prompt some action. The US delegation said afterwards it would resume sending military aid to Ukraine and sharing intelligence with the embattled country – with whom its relations have recently soured.

7) Cancelled billions worth of climate grants

As part of its drive to cut government cuts, the administration scrapped funding for $20bn (£15.4bn) worth of Biden-era climate and environmental grants on Tuesday. The projects had been frozen for weeks.

8) Moved to deport a permanent legal US resident

The administration tried to deport a permanent legal US resident and Columbia University graduate for his participation in 2024 protests at the campus over the war in Gaza. The attempt is now the subject of a legal battle.

9) Sweeping cuts to hit Department of Education

The Department of Education announced this week that it planned to lay off 1,300 workers, a move that will effectively slash the department’s workforce in half.

10) Further shredding at USAID

Staff at the US Agency for International Development (USAID) were told to “shred as many documents” and personnel files as they could this week, as the weeks-long purge on the agency has left the vast majority of its initiatives hollowed out.

11) Penned a letter to Iran

Trump engaged in a different kind of diplomacy when he penned his thoughts on a piece of paper rather than tagging a foreign leader in a social media post.

In a letter addressed to Iran’s supreme leader, passed through an official from the UAE, the US president said he’d set out plans for negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme.

12) Withdrew CDC nominee – just hours before hearing

Dave Weldon, the Republican tipped to head the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), was withdrawn by the Trump administration to be its candidate for the public health agency – the decision coming only hours before he was set to testify before a Senate committee.13) ‘Tesla takedown’ prompts Trump to eye a new car

Tesla facilities across the US were faced with protesters who stood outside the electric car manufacturers doors to call out its founder – Elon Musk – for the new role he plays in Donald Trump’s administration.

14) Went on the charm offensive with Vance

During his Oval Office visit this week, Taoiseach Micheál Martin presented Donald Trump with a bowl of shamrocks.

JD Vance, who attended the same meeting, didn’t miss his own chance to pay homage to the Irish prime minister, donning a pair of cream-coloured socks that were – fittingly – adorned with green shamrocks.