Is Trump Folding?

Hi Global Recap readers,

I came across this interesting post online about Trump’s recent address to Congress:

I think this really highlights how much politics has turned into a theatrical show, with just about everyone you meet having a strong, invested opinion.

While it's not all bad, it often becomes a major distraction from what's actually happening in the real world—and from the behind-the-scenes actions that officials are quietly making without public scrutiny.

Since not all our readers are from the US, I have reserved an interesting poll for the end of this newsletter. Polls have been getting increasingly contentious and tight lately, with the most recent one being the closest yet—Vance won by just 38%!

I’d love to hear your take on today’s poll. 👇️ 

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Trump to Meet in the Middle?

With President Trump's tariffs taking effect today, the big question on everyone's mind was whether he'd stick to his guns or cut Canada, Mexico, and China some slack.

Well, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick just hinted that Trump might ease the 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico tomorrow—just a day after they went into effect.

The question now is, was Trump ever serious about the tariffs, or is he simply responding to the plunging stock market?

Lutnick Interview

During a Fox Business interview, Lutnick said that Canada and Mexico were scrambling to prove they’d crack down on fentanyl flows into the US.

• He said that Trump’s approach is: “You do more, and I’ll meet you in the middle.”

• No love for China, though—tariff relief there isn’t on the table due to its alleged fentanyl subsidies.

Trudeau

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau didn’t hold back, calling Trump’s tariffs “very dumb” and accusing him of appeasing Russia while launching a trade war against Canada.

Poilievre

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre also spoke in a similar tone. He made it clear that Canada won’t back down, calling Trump’s tariffs an “attack on our economy.”

• He announced plans to lower taxes and stimulate large-scale investment to counter the economic impact.

• Poilievre declared, “While Canadians are slow to anger and quick to forgive, once provoked, we fight back.”

🇺🇦 UKRAINE
Zelenskyy’s “Regretful”
White Hou"se Clash

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called his recent Oval Office meeting with Donald Trump “regrettable” and is now pushing for peace talks under Trump’s leadership.

The Oval Office Fallout

Zelenskyy didn’t hold back in his statement on March 4, 2025, describing the White House meeting as a missed opportunity.

• He admitted the meeting “did not go the way it was supposed to be.”

• Zelenskyy emphasized the need to “make things right” and expressed readiness for constructive cooperation.

Peace Talks on the Table

Despite the tension, Zelenskyy is eager to move forward with peace negotiations.

• He proposed initial steps like a truce on missile strikes and the release of prisoners.

• Zelenskyy hopes to work with the US to finalize a “strong” peace deal.

Trump’s Aid Freeze

This comes as Trump paused all US aid to Ukraine on March 3, 2025.

• A senior official clarified this is a “pause,” not a termination, contingent on Ukraine’s commitment to peace talks.

• The aid freeze has added urgency to Zelenskyy’s push for negotiations.

🇮🇱 ISRAEL
Ceasefire Hinges on
Hostage Release

The ceasefire, which began in January 2025, has hit a major wall. Israel insists Hamas must release more of the 59 hostages it still holds before moving to the next phase of the truce.

The Current Deadlock

• Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar emphasized, “No free meals,” defending Israel’s halt on humanitarian aid to Gaza.

• Hamas, on the other hand, wants a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent end to the war.

The Ceasefire Agreement

The three-stage ceasefire deal, mediated by the US, Egypt, and Qatar, initially paused 15 months of fighting.

• The first phase saw 33 hostages returned to Israel in exchange for 1,800 Palestinian prisoners.

• The second phase, now stalled, was supposed to secure the release of all remaining hostages.

• The truce was set to extend through Ramadan (starting March 1) and Passover in April.

Humanitarian Aid Controversy

Now, the controversy lies with Israel halting aid deliveries to Gaza, accusing Hamas of seizing supplies for its own use.

• Sa’ar claimed, “Humanitarian aid became the number one source of income of Hamas in Gaza.”

• Aid groups have reported looting and wrongful seizure of aid trucks.

Real People

It’s easy to lose sight of what ordinary Palestinians are enduring when news coverage focuses on the broader Israel-Hamas conflict.

• People are quick to pick a side, each demanding justice for their own cause.

• But on the ground, real people are suffering. You can shout “Free Palestine” or “Justice for Israel” all day, but amidst the bombings and gunfire, and beyond the slogans and political debates, real people in Gaza are suffering not just from war but from internal violence as well.

• Where’s justice for these people?

Here’s just one of many videos showing Palestinians being shot—allegedly for “stealing” aid.

🇪🇬 EGYPT
Arab Leaders Back Gaza Plan

Arab states have rallied behind Egypt’s $53 billion reconstruction plan for Gaza, rejecting Trump’s controversial “Middle East Riviera” vision.

Summit Highlights

At a summit in Cairo on March 4, 2025, Arab leaders embraced Egypt’s proposal to rebuild Gaza.

• The plan avoids displacing Palestinians, unlike Trump’s widely condemned idea.

• It includes a $53 billion budget for reconstruction.

• Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas both expressed support for the plan.

Key Challenges

The plan faces hurdles, particularly regarding governance and funding.

• Egypt proposes a temporary administrative committee of Palestinian technocrats to oversee Gaza.

• Gulf states like Saudi Arabia and the UAE are expected to contribute financially.

• Hamas’s disarmament remains a contentious issue, with differing views among Arab nations.

International Reactions

The US and Israel have criticized the plan, citing concerns over its feasibility.

• The White House dismissed the proposal as unrealistic, emphasizing Gaza’s uninhabitable state.

• Israel opposes any arrangement that doesn’t immediately disarm Hamas.

Broader Implications

This plan is part of a larger effort to counter Trump’s vision, which Arab leaders fear could destabilize the region.

• Egypt’s blueprint includes ambitious projects like a commercial harbor, a tech hub, and an airport.

• The plan aims to restore Gaza’s infrastructure while maintaining Palestinian sovereignty.

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Trump’s Congress Address

Donald Trump’s historic return to Congress on March 4, 2025, was anything but ordinary. From bold claims to chaotic protests, it was a night to remember.

I highly encourage you to watch the full address rather than just relying on a condensed summary. Seeing it firsthand will give you a clearer picture of what was actually said and how it was received.

Trump’s Bold Claims

Trump wasted no time boasting about his administration’s “swift and unrelenting action” during his first 43 days back in office.

• He claimed more had been achieved in this short time than in entire terms of previous administrations.

• His speech highlighted controversial moves on immigration, tariffs, and foreign policy.

• He praised Elon Musk, now leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), for uncovering “hundreds of billions of dollars of fraud.” He even listed some of DOGE’s findings.

Democratic Defiance

Democrats made their disapproval loud and clear throughout the evening.

• Some lawmakers made their disapproval clear by turning their backs on Trump, heckling him, or even walking out mid-speech.

  • One of the most vocal was Rep. Al Green, who repeatedly shouted that Trump “doesn’t have a mandate,” just as Trump was asserting that he does have a mandate from the American people.

• The Democratic Women’s Caucus wore pink to protest Trump’s policies, while others donned Ukrainian-American flag pins.

• Freshman Sen. Elissa Slotkin delivered a sharp rebuttal, focusing on economic and national security.

📊 Poll