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Trump 2nd term live updates: Trump defends tariffs, declines to comment on Ukraine aid

Trump said tariffs will be the "greatest thing we've ever done as a country."

President Donald Trump is defending his decision to pause some tariffs to Canada and Mexico for another month -- a notable reversal after imposing historic levies on the key U.S. trading partners earlier this week, causing markets to tumble.

On Friday, Trump signed more executive orders at the White House before he convened a first-ever cryptocurrency summit with industry leaders.


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White House: Trump 'open' to hearing about additional tariff exemptions

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked if there will be any other tariff carveouts after she announced a temporary exemption for the Big Three automakers.

"The president is open to hearing about additional exemptions. He always has open dialogue, and he'll always do what's right, what he believes is right for the American people," she said, though she didn't commit to anything specific or elaborate.


Trump offers one-month tariff exemption for 'Big Three' automakers

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Trump spoke with the Big Three automakers, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and Stellantis, and is offering them a one-month exemption to the tariffs.

Leavitt said this exemption is intended "so they are not at an economic disadvantage."

She added that reciprocal tariffs will still go into effect on April 2.


US official confirms pause on sharing intelligence with Ukraine

A U.S. official told ABC News the United States has cut nearly all of its intelligence-sharing with Ukraine, confirming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's statement earlier Wednesday.

-ABC News' Matt Seyler


White House press secretary slams Democrats for response during Trump's speech

At the top of her remarks at Wednesday's White House briefing, press secretary Karoline Leavitt tore into Democrats for their conduct during President Donald Trump's address to Congress on Tuesday night.

"It was the most shameful moment in the history of presidential addresses and that beautiful chamber in what was supposed to be a unifying moment for our country," Leavitt said. "Democrat members of Congress instead screamed at the president of the United States, who was just overwhelmingly reelected by their constituents, walked out of the chamber and, worse of all, they disrespected the American people."

Leavitt also took issue with Democrats not applauding as he singled out special guests throughout the evening.