Local News
President Trump Vows to Resolve Pakistan-Afghanistan Issues Soon
Kuala Lumpur:
United States President Donald Trump has expressed a strong commitment to mediating and resolving the ongoing issues between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Speaking at the ASEAN Summit in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, President Trump said he intends to address the matter swiftly and effectively.
During his address, President Trump highlighted recent diplomatic successes, noting that the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia was among eight wars that have been halted in the past eight months. He emphasized that efforts are underway to bring an end to the remaining conflict.
“I have heard that tensions have once again emerged between Pakistan and Afghanistan,” President Trump stated. “I believe I can play a role in resolving this issue. I know both countries well, and I am confident that I can help settle their differences in a positive and lasting way.”
The U.S. President further expressed his confidence in the leadership of Pakistan, referring to the country’s Prime Minister and Field Marshal as “good people.” He added, “I have full trust in both of them, and there is no doubt that we will resolve the Pak-Afghan problem soon.”
President Trump’s remarks underscore Washington’s renewed interest in promoting peace and stability in South Asia, with particular focus on improving relations between Islamabad and Kabul through diplomatic engagement and mutual understanding.
Local News
President Trump Halts All Trade Negotiations with Canada Following Reagan-Themed Ad Controversy
Washington:
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced the immediate suspension of all ongoing trade negotiations with Canada, citing what he described as a “false and misleading” advertising campaign that misrepresented his administration’s trade policies.
According to President Trump, the decision came in direct response to a Canadian advertising campaign that used archival footage of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, in which Reagan appeared to speak against the imposition of tariffs on imported goods. The ad suggested that Trump’s tariff policies were contrary to Reagan’s free trade philosophy.
“Based on their highly reprehensible behavior, all trade negotiations with Canada are being terminated immediately,” President Trump declared in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social.
The advertisement reportedly drew significant attention in Washington. Ontario Premier Doug Ford acknowledged earlier this week that the ad had reached the U.S. President’s desk. “I learned that the President saw our ad, and he probably wasn’t very happy with it,” Ford told reporters on Tuesday. The Reagan-themed commercial included clips of the former president warning that import tariffs lead to inflation, job losses, and trade wars — messages perceived as a direct critique of Trump’s economic stance.
President Trump has consistently defended the use of tariffs as a strategic economic tool to protect American industries and exert leverage in international trade negotiations. His administration’s tariff policies have resulted in the highest U.S. tariff rates since the 1930s, a move that has sparked both domestic and international criticism from business leaders and economists who warn of long-term economic repercussions.
In response to the U.S. decision, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney reaffirmed that Ottawa will defend its national economic interests, stating, “If ongoing trade negotiations with the United States fail, Canada will not allow unfair American access to its markets under any circumstances.”
This latest escalation marks a sharp setback in U.S.–Canada economic relations. Earlier this year, President Trump imposed heavy tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, and automobile imports, prompting Ottawa to introduce retaliatory measures. Negotiations aimed at reaching a new trade framework for these sectors had been underway for several weeks but now appear to have been frozen indefinitely following the President’s announcement.
The abrupt halt in talks underscores the fragility of cross-border trade diplomacy and raises new concerns about the future of North American economic cooperation.