China warns Mexico ‘think twice’ before tariff hike, threatens countermeasures

 China’s Ministry of Commerce has warned Mexico of countermeasures as the country plans to hike tariffs on Asia-made cars to 50%.

We “hope Mexico will be extremely cautious, and think twice before acting,” the ministry said in a statement late Thursday, translated by CNBC.

“China and Mexico are mutually important trade partners,” the ministry said. “We are not willing to see both sides’ economic cooperation affected by this situation.”

Mexico’s Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard told reporters Wednesday that the country planned to raise tariffs on vehicles coming from Asia, particularly China, to 50% from the current 20%. The increased duties still need Congressional approval, and the tariffs would take effect 30 days later, he said.

“China will take necessary measures ... to resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests,” China’s statement read.

In the ongoing trade tensions with the U.S., China’s countermeasures have included restrictions on exports of minerals critical to the production of cars and other advanced technology. Chinese companies have come to dominate the supply chain for many of those minerals.

Sitting on the southern border of the U.S., Mexico benefits from the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) for tariff-free trade among the countries. But USMCA, which took effect in 2020, requires a far greater portion of a vehicle to be made in the region than the North American Free Trade Agreement agreement it replaced.

Mexico’s auto industry is the country’s largest employer, Jorge Guajardo, Washington, D.C.-based partner at Dentons Global Advisors, previously told CNBC. He is a former ambassador of Mexico to China.

From June 2022 to July 2024, more than 20 Chinese auto parts and manufacturers have announced over $7 billion in investments in Mexico, according to the Coalition for a Prosperous America, an advocacy group.

It’s unclear how many of the projects have been completed. Chinese electric car giant BYD has notably not yet built a long-awaited factory in Mexico.

The central American country has been China’s top destination for car exports, according to China Passenger Car Association figures earlier this year.

“The thing that’s very important about Chinese autos is that where they’re taking market share, a lot of times, it’s not really from the Western brands. It’s really from the other Asian brands. I think that’s what we’ve seen in Mexico,” Eugene Hsiao, Macquarie Capital, head of China equity strategy, said on CNBC’s “The China Connection” earlier this week, ahead of Mexico’s latest tariff announcement.

But even with hints of a 25% increase in duties at the time, Hsiao said that he expected “the value proposition for a lot of these Chinese cars, I think, remains intact, even with some of these tariffs.”

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/12/china-mexico-tariff-hike-countermeasures.html

Social Security COLA may be higher in 2026, new estimate shows

 Social Security beneficiaries could see a slightly larger bump in their checks in 2026, according to a new projection from The Senior Citizens League (TSCL).

The TSCL model predicts that the cost of living adjustment (COLA) will be 2.7 percent next year, up from 2.5 percent in 2025.

“Seniors across America are holding their breath as we wait for the official COLA announcement in October,” TSCL Executive Director Shannon Benton said in a statement. “Our research shows that about 39 percent of seniors depend on their benefits for all their income, so the COLA announcement has a direct effect on their quality of life.”

If the official announcement on Oct. 15 matches the projection, it would raise the average benefit for retired workers by $54, from $2,008 to $2,062. The estimated increase would still be less than the 2024 COLA of 3.2 percent.

The annual updates are meant to protect the purchasing power of Social Security beneficiaries when it comes to basic necessities such as food, housing and medicine. Increases vary and are meant to track inflation data.

A report on inflation Thursday showed prices are continuing to rise faster for U.S. households than the Fed hopes, but only by what economists expected. Consumers paid prices for food, gasoline and other costs of living that were 2.9% higher in August than a year earlier, a slight acceleration from July’s 2.7% inflation rate.

“Many seniors believe inflation is much higher than the COLA estimates,” Benton said. “For example, TSCL’s estimates that about 80 percent of seniors believed inflation in 2024 was substantially higher than the 2.5 percent COLA implemented to make up for it at the beginning of 2025.”

Over 72 million Americans received Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits in 2025.

Along with a potentially higher COLA, another change is coming – on Sept. 30, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will stop mailing paper checks to the nearly 400,000 people who still receive them. The change was outlined in a March executive order by President Trump.

Those beneficiaries who want to be exempt from the change can file a waiver with the U.S. Treasury by calling (800) 967-5042.

The SSA encourages beneficiaries to go paperless by either signing up for direct deposit or, for those without a bank account, enrolling to receive a prepaid debit card.

https://thehill.com/homenews/5499381-social-security-cola-may-be-higher-in-2026-new-estimate-shows/

Appeals panel allows Trump admin to strip Medicaid funds from Planned Parenthood

A federal appeals court Thursday cleared the way for the Trump administration to enforce a provision of the new tax cut and spending law that will cut off Medicaid funding from some Planned Parenthood clinics. 

The Boston-based 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals put on hold a preliminary nationwide injunction issued in July by a lower-court judge that blocked the Trump administration from cutting funding to all Planned Parenthood affiliates. 

The lawsuit contests a provision in the new law that imposes a one-year ban on state Medicaid payments to health care nonprofits that also offer abortions and received more than $800,000 in federal funding in 2023.   

Taxpayer money is already prohibited from covering most abortions.  

Instead, the law cuts reimbursement for other health services provided by Planned Parenthood and other health centers, such as cancer screenings and treatment for sexually transmitted infections.  

Although Planned Parenthood is not specifically named in the statute, which went into effect July 4, Planned Parenthood leaders said their organization was deliberately targeted. But at least one major family provider in Maine said they will also be impacted and sued the administration. 

In the lower court’s ruling, Judge Indira Talwani wrote the law likely violates the Constitution’s “bill of attainder clause,” which prohibits Congress and state legislatures from imposing punishments on individuals or specific entities without trial. 

Talwani was appointed by former President Obama. All three judges on the appeals panel were appointed by former President Biden. 

In its motion for a stay on Talwani’s order, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) called her logic “flimsy” and argued the Supreme Court has an extremely high standard for invalidating laws under the bill of attainder clause 

“Halting federal subsidies bears no resemblance to the punishments—including death, banishment, and imprisonment—previously understood as implicating the clause,” HHS wrote.   

In addition, Justice Department attorneys argued, “the elected Branches determined that taxpayer funds should not be used to subsidize certain entities that practice abortion—conduct that many Americans find morally abhorrent.” 

Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) said the decision puts as many as 200 health centers at risk of closure, and blocks more than 1.1 million patients from using their Medicaid insurance at Planned Parenthood health centers. 

“With this decision, patients and providers are in limbo … all because the Trump administration and its backers want to attack Planned Parenthood and shut down health centers,” PPFA President and CEO Alexis McGill Johnson said in a statement. “This is a blow, but the fight isn’t over.” 

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5499690-planned-parenthood-medicaid-funding-lawsuit/

2 universities fire employees over social media posts made after Kirk assassination

 Two universities fired employees due to social media posts made after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, according to school officials.

“Yesterday, a University of Mississippi staff member re-shared hurtful, insensitive comments on social media regarding the tragic murder of Charlie Kirk. These comments run completely counter to our institutional values of civility, fairness, and respecting the dignity of each person,” University of Mississippi Chancellor Glenn Boyce said in a statement posted Thursday afternoon to social platform X. 

“We condemn these actions, and this staff member is no longer employed by the university,” he added.

Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney McPhee said in his own statement Wednesday that an employee at the school “offered inappropriate and callous comments on social media concerning the horrific and tragic murder of Charlie Kirk.”

“The comments by this employee, who worked in a position of trust directly with students, were inconsistent with our values and have undermined the university’s credibility and reputation with our students, faculty, staff and the community at large,” McPhee added. 

“This employee has been fired effective immediately. We extend our deepest sympathies to the Kirk family,” the school president continued. 

Kirk was fatally shot Wednesday while he was talking during an event at Utah Valley University. His death was confirmed by President Trump via his Truth Social account.

“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” Trump wrote.  

“No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”

https://thehill.com/homenews/education/5499721-universities-fire-employees-posts-kirk-assassination/

Bessent, Chinese vice premier to meet in Madrid next week on trade, TikTok

 From September 12 – September 18, Secretary of the Treasury Scott K.H. Bessent will travel to the United Kingdom and Spain.

While in Madrid, Secretary Bessent will meet with Spanish government counterparts to discuss the relationship between Spain and the United States. He will also meet with senior representatives from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), including Vice Premier He Lifeng, to discuss key national security, economic, and trade issues of mutual interest, including TikTok and cooperating on money laundering networks that threaten both the United States and China.

Following his visit to Spain, the Secretary will visit the United Kingdom and engage with British government and private sector counterparts in London before joining President Donald J. Trump’s official State Visit with His Majesty King Charles III at Windsor Castle.

https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0244

Regarding the Assassination of Charlie Kirk

 Robert W Malone MD, MS

Wikipedia calls him a “right-wing political activist.” That is a gross distortion and over-simplification. Speaking personally, I am deeply saddened and impacted by this assassination. I believe that Charlie was a future president and a gifted communicator, with a remarkably agile mind coupled to a deep commitment to Christianity, the United States, and to the founding principles of this country. His mind was a beacon, and his heart was pure and kind.

His assassination was an act of political violence, one that I think is on par with the notable domestic US political assassinations of the 1960s. Given his role as both a political and a spiritual leader, I personally think that the best analogy is the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King. Others criticize me for saying that. Time will tell on that point. But it is indisputable that this event has occurred at a crucial point in modern US politics. The left and the Democrat party has suffered a major electoral defeat. It is facing a possible existential crisis, and yet not only refuses to reform and adapt but seems to be doubling down. The weaponized hate and division promoted on both social and corporate media is like nothing I have seen since the Vietnam war.

And at this critical junction, as the political conflict is really heating up for the midterm elections, we have this. The left and their corporate media surrogates seem to think that the political right are over reacting, as if Charlie Kirk is, as one post on “X” posited, “just another Nazi".” Just a MAGA leader. Just a Christian nutcase with influence over a small following of impressionable young students. Turning Point USA was just a fringe protest movement of far-right-wing radical youth. It is so easy to be infuriated at these intentional mischaracterizations.

I feel that emotion tug at my gut, just as I felt the pull when a young doctor with TDS that was called to testify by Senator Blumenthal at the recent Homeland Security investigations committee accused me of promoting violence - as did the Senator. How could I not be furious at being defamed once again? But I did not have the luxury of letting my anger get the best of me.

The risk here is that those of us who identify with MAGA and MAHA movements will lose self-control, and jump to conclusions. After being subjected to years of targeted hate and (frankly) violence of a wide variety of forms, it is so, so easy to dehumanize those who oppose us just as they seek to dehumanize us. So easy in our anger to lash out and say, write, or post intemperate words. But, as Dr. Toby Rogers found out during the hearing, the internet never forgets. “Nuremberg 2” and metaphors involving death for our opponents do not move the ball down the field, and can come back to really bite. Our opponents will do anything to project onto us the violent intent that they themselves are guilty of.

I am deeply disturbed and saddened by what has happened, and also by what i am learning about the left in this country by their words and actions. They live in a separate reality and have been dehumanizing us for years. In my mind, I am also gaining insight into the impact of the years of targeted hate directed at me. This evil is not banal. It is systemic. Last night on Newsmax I mentioned the prospect of civil war as a risk. The thought that this professional killing may have been backed by a foreign adversary keeps coming to mind. The USA is a powder keg. The left is filled with of hate, fury and frustration fanned by corporate media. The situation is a set up for foreign adversaries to act to light the fire.

I am very aware of the information first provided by Steven Crowder this morning:

But this narrative strikes me as all too convenient, too perfect. For me, this implied neat narrative about antifa and trans activism being the motivator for the shooting is too stereotypical. Too convenient.

My point is that the United States, and the current Administration led by Donald Trump, has many global geopolitical enemies. Enemies are both foreign and domestic. At this point in time, US politics and civics have become a powder keg waiting to explode if it encounters a match. Why wouldn’t foreign or domestic enemies seek to light that match, to watch us explode with internal conflict? It is precisely what should be expected. It is the logical and foreseeable outcome of all of this promoted hate.

Don’t bite on that hook. That is all I am asking. Keep that anger inside for now. Bide your time, watch, listen, think. You should be mad as hell about what just took place. I certainly am. But don’t be stupid. If you act out in either word or deed, our opponents will then weaponize that to justify more violence or violent rhetoric. Bide your time, and remember that it is early in the information cycle, and we do not have the facts we need to draw conclusions about motivation or responsibility. It may be that some evil force is trying to set off the powder keg for their own nefarious purpose.

Thank you for reading and considering these opinions.

Best wishes, and God Bless America and the family of Charlie Kirk, who was not a far-right activist, but rather a great American leader, father, husband, and friend of all. I miss him and mourn for him deeply. I hope you do also.

https://www.malone.news/p/regarding-the-assassination-of-charlie

'EU To Resist Trump Pressure To Hit China & India With 100% Tariffs'

 Eyebrows have been raised as President Trump has reportedly been busy urging the European Union to impose tariffs of up to 100% on China and India over their purchases of Russian oil. Europe is unlikely to comply, most reports say.

According to the Financial Times and CNBC, Trump made the proposal during a meeting in Washington on Tuesday with top American and EU officials - with one aspect to the pitch being the US is willing to implement matching tariffs if Europe proceeds. The Europeans were led by the bloc's sanctions chief, David O'Sullivan, and the US side was led by senior US Treasury officials.

The European Commission has kept mum on the report, as has the White House, but the Commission has been touting its forthcoming 'tough' 19th sanctions package targeting Russia, given it includes measures to target sanctions evasion involving third countries.

India has blasted the current 50% tariff levied by Washington, including a 25% punitive duty it for its Russian oil purchases, and the EU is wary of any overly aggressive method which would damage relations with China and India.

But a US official told the Financial Times that the Trump White House is "ready to go, ready to go right now, but we are only going to do this if our European partners step up with us."

Trump had written Tuesday on Truth Social, "India, and the United States of America, are continuing negotiations to address the Trade Barriers between our two Nations."

"I look forward to speaking with my very good friend, Prime Minister Modi, in the upcoming weeks," he added. "I feel certain that there will be no difficulty in coming to a successful conclusion for both of our Great Countries!"

This heightened tariff talk and threats are happening just as the May US trade court ruling which concluded the tariff's "exceed any authority granted to the president" is heading to the supreme court, after last month a federal appeals court upheld it.

As for the current tariff impact on US ally India, one producer in India's large carpet industry has lamented, "We are completely dependent on the US for our business and have no other markets. The tariffs have brought our production to a halt, and no consignment has been dispatched to the US for the past one month."

Perspective of a NATO hawk...

I call to punish India and not to reward Modi for backstabbing Ukraine and Europe in China with his new best friend Putin
We need to shift gear and tack
No more EU FTA for India
Boycott India fully
Secondary sanction India
100% tariffs on India
Until Modi falls and India breaks pic.twitter.com/n3miAidnu5

— Gunther Fehlinger-Jahn (@GunterFehlinger) September 4, 2025

The person underscored, "It is the worst phase of my 50-year career in the carpet business, and the industry will die a painful death if the situation doesn’t improve in the next two months."

In the meantime the US tariffs have served to push India and China closer together, despite an uneasy 'frenemy' history, including border tensions among the nuclear-armed Asian powers.

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/eu-expected-resist-trump-pressure-hit-china-india-100-tariffs