Republican Lawmakers Caution That Donald Trump’s Tariffs Are Harmful to US Businesses – Live Coverage of US Politics

The United States has been placed on the Civicus Monitor Watchlist, identifying it as a country experiencing significant declines in civic freedoms according to the global civil rights organization.

Civicus, an international non-profit organization committed to enhancing citizen action and civil society globally, revealed the US’s inclusion on its inaugural watchlist for 2025 on Monday, along with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Italy, Pakistan, and Serbia.

The watchlist is part of the Civicus Monitor, which tracks the status of civic freedoms across 198 nations. Other countries that have been featured on the watchlist in recent years include Zimbabwe, Argentina, El Salvador, and the United Arab Emirates.

Mandeep Tiwana, co-secretary general of Civicus, noted that the watchlist focuses on nations where there are concerns about deteriorating civic spaces, particularly in relation to freedoms of peaceful assembly, association, and expression.

The selection process, according to the website, draws upon insights and data from Civicus’s extensive network of research partners.

The decision to incorporate the US in the initial 2025 watchlist was influenced by what the organization described as the “Trump administration’s attacks on democratic principles and international cooperation.”

Donald Trump has not shown proper regard for Greenlanders since voicing his interest in acquiring the expansive, mineral-rich Arctic territory, according to Greenland’s prime minister.

Trump emphasized his desire to acquire the island during his address to Congress last Tuesday, portraying a vision of prosperity and security for the “remarkable people” of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, as reported by Reuters.

Trump reiterated his commitment in a Truth Social post on Monday, stating: “We will continue to ensure your safety, as we have since World War II. We are prepared to invest billions to generate new jobs and make you affluent.”

Greenland’s prime minister, Mute Egede, told Danish public broadcaster DR in an interview aired Monday: “We deserve respectful treatment, and I think that the US president has fallen short of that since he took office.”

“The actions of the American president lately make people hesitant to draw closer to (the US) than they might have previously desired,” he added.

“We need to establish clear boundaries and invest more effort into relations with countries that treat us with respect as we build our future,” Egede said, commenting a day before Greenland’s general election.

Egede has repeatedly emphasized that Greenland, which has a population of just 57,000, belongs to its residents and should dictate its own future. He advocates for complete independence for Greenland.

Greetings, and welcome to the US politics live blog. I’m Tom Ambrose, here to provide you with the latest updates over the next few hours.

We begin with reports that Republicans are increasingly worried that Donald Trump’s tariffs are negatively impacting the US economy, as constituents express their financial struggles.

Business owners, exporters, and farmers have told lawmakers that Trump’s expanding trade war and threats of significant tariffs against Canada, Mexico, and Europe are directly affecting businesses in the US, The Hill reports.

“The Canadian tariffs will undoubtedly harm Maine’s economy, particularly affecting border communities,” remarked Senator Susan Collins. “For instance, a major paper mill in northern Maine, situated along the border, relies on Canadian pulp.”

“This mill is the largest employer in the region, employing 510 individuals directly. I’ve spoken with the mill owner, and the imposition of a 25% tariff could be devastating,” she continued.

“There are multiple industries in Kentucky lobbying me against these tariffs: cargo shippers, farmers, bourbon producers, home-builders, home sellers – the list is extensive – including fence manufacturers,” stated Senator Rand Paul to The Hill.

“The bourbon sector claims they are still affected by the reciprocal tariffs” imposed during Trump’s first term, he remarked. “Farmers share the same sentiment.”