President Donald Trump on Friday claimed China violated its trade agreement with the U.S. and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said talks between the world's two largest economies stalled.
This week, Trump's global tariff policy hit a major roadblock as two federal courts ruled he does not have the power to unilaterally impose some levies. The tariffs can stay in place, for now, as the court considers the administration's appeal.
Meanwhile, Elon Musk is leaving his role as a "special government employee" but is expected to remain an unofficial adviser to Trump.
Trump dodges questions about Musk's opposition to 'big, beautiful bill'
In a recent television interview, Elon Musk criticized President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill" arguing that it undercut DOGE's efforts.
Elon Musk greets President Donald Trump as they attend the NCAA men's wrestling championships in Philadelphia, March 22, 2025.
Nathan Howard/Reuters
Trump was asked about those comments, but dodged the question. Instead, he talked about the bill's negotiations.
"Number one, we have to get a lot of votes. We can't be cutting. You know, we need----we need to get a lot of support, and we have a lot of support," he said.
May 28, 2025, 12:42 PM EDT
Trump claims he'll know in '2 weeks' if Putin is 'tapping' US along
While taking questions in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump was asked if he believed Russians are being disrespectful and if he believed that Vladimir Putin actually wants to end the war.
"I can't tell you that," Trump said. "But I'll let you know in about two weeks. Within two weeks. We're going to find out very soon. We're going to find out whether or not he's tapping us along or not. And if he is, we'll respond a little bit differently. But it will take about a week and a half, two weeks."
Trump went on to say he was "disappointed" by Russia's barrage of strikes in recent days.
President Donald Trump speaks during a swearing in ceremony for interim US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, May 28, 2025.
Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
Trump made similar comments last month regarding Putin and whether the Russian leader was stringing the U.S. along. He similarly said at the time that he would be treated differently if so, but so far has taken no action against him.
May 28, 2025, 12:05 PM EDT
Hegseth departs for Singapore in visit focused on China
Secretary Pete Hegseth departed Wednesday for Singapore, where he will attend an annual gathering of defense ministers, senior military and diplomats from across the Indo Pacific region.
Speaking briefly to reporters this morning, Hegseth said his goal attending the event was to strengthen US relationships with allies and partners in the region to "achieve peace and deterrence through strength."
"We're going out to Singapore to hold a series of meetings to ensure that region understands America will be strong. We seek no conflict with anybody, including the Communist Chinese, but we will deter that," he said.
"We will stand strong for our interests, and that's a big part of what this trip is all about," Hegseth later added.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth awaits the arrival of Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosinak-Kamysz at the Pentagon, May 27, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia.
Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
It's Hegseth's second trip to Asia.
His first visit last March, which included stops in the Philippines and Japan, was overshadowed by revelations that he relied on the commercial messaging Signal app to relay details about a future military attack to other administration officials.
Hegseth has vowed to reorient the US military to prioritize defending the homeland and deterring China from increasing its influence around the world.
--ABC News' Anne Flaherty
May 28, 2025, 10:56 AM EDT
Rubio announces visa policy targeting foreign officials who censor Americans
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a new visa policy targeting foreign officials who "are responsible for censorship of protected expression in the United States."
"It is unacceptable for foreign officials to issue or threaten arrest warrants on U.S. citizens or U.S. residents for social media posts on American platforms while physically present on U.S. soil," he wrote in a statement.
Rubio continued: "It is similarly unacceptable for foreign officials to demand that American tech platforms adopt global content moderation policies or engage in censorship activity that reaches beyond their authority and into the United States."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio testifies at a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on U.S. President Donald Trump's State Department budget request for the Department of State, on Capitol Hill in Washington, May 21, 2025.
Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters
Exactly how the new policy will be employed remains to be seen, but officials from countries like Saudi Arabia -- which have a history of targeting dual nationals for criticizing their governments on social media from the U.S. -- are ostensibly likely targets.
Rubio also posted to X about the policy, declaring "free speech is essential to the American way of life – a birthright over which foreign governments have no authority."