Donald Trump says 100 per cent confident of forging trade deal with Europe

People rally in support of universities and education, in New York City. Pic/AFP

US President Donald Trump has expressed confidence in reaching a trade deal with the European Union (EU) before the 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs ends. Trump made the remarks during Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's visit to Washington on Thursday.

"They want to make one very, very much. We're gonna make a trade deal. I fully expect it, but it will be a fair deal," Trump said. He has paused the imposition of reciprocal tariffs on over 75 countries, including the EU and India, claiming those countries agreed to engage in trade discussions. In response, the EU also put the retaliatory tariffs on hold for 90 days to give time for negotiations with Washington.

Italian PM Giorgia Meloni with Trump on Thursday. Pic/AFP

Deal with Japan likely

The new US ambassador to Japan, George Glass arrived in Tokyo on Friday and said he is optimistic that his country and its key Asian ally will reach a deal in their ongoing tariff negotiations. "I'm extremely optimistic... a deal will be done," Glass said.

1024 student visas revoked

At least 1,024 students - from private universities like Harvard and Stanford to large public institutions like the University of Maryland and Ohio State University to some small liberal arts colleges - have had their visas or legal status revoked in recent weeks. Several have filed lawsuits arguing the government denied them due process when it suddenly took away their permission to be in the US.

US may drop talks on Ukraine-Russia

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday that the US may be ready to "move on" from efforts for a Russia-Ukraine peace deal if there is not progress in the coming days. Speaking in Paris after a marathon day of landmark talks among US, Ukrainian and European officials, Rubio said the discussions had been constructive and produced an outline for steps toward peace. French officials said a new meeting in the same format is expected in London in the coming days. Rubio said he could join that meeting, and it's expected early in the week.

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