Cabot Phillips

Now, while the White House is touting the news as proof that Trump's use of tariffs as leverage is getting results, Democrats, as you can imagine, say otherwise. They argued that Trump quickly agreed to lift the tariffs because he was worried about the stock market, which did slip Monday morning on fears of a trade war, but then jumped back up at the news of these deals.

Now, while the White House is touting the news as proof that Trump's use of tariffs as leverage is getting results, Democrats, as you can imagine, say otherwise. They argued that Trump quickly agreed to lift the tariffs because he was worried about the stock market, which did slip Monday morning on fears of a trade war, but then jumped back up at the news of these deals.

A number of Democratic lawmakers are saying that Trump supposedly blinked first.

A number of Democratic lawmakers are saying that Trump supposedly blinked first.

And Vice President J.D. Vance echoed that sentiment Monday, lauding Trump's strategy.

And Vice President J.D. Vance echoed that sentiment Monday, lauding Trump's strategy.

Yeah, initially it appeared Canada was gearing up for a fight. Leaders in both parties, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, called for Canadians to unite against the tariffs by boycotting American products in favor of domestic goods. But speaking in the Oval Office Monday, Trump stood his ground, saying Canada needs America far more than America needs Canada.

Yeah, initially it appeared Canada was gearing up for a fight. Leaders in both parties, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, called for Canadians to unite against the tariffs by boycotting American products in favor of domestic goods. But speaking in the Oval Office Monday, Trump stood his ground, saying Canada needs America far more than America needs Canada.

Trump and Trudeau held a phone call shortly after those comments. And as Trump supporters put it, Trudeau bent the knee, offering a long list of concessions in exchange for a 30-day pause on tariffs. The list is very long, so I'll just read the post that Trudeau made. Quote, I just had a good call with President Trump.

Trump and Trudeau held a phone call shortly after those comments. And as Trump supporters put it, Trudeau bent the knee, offering a long list of concessions in exchange for a 30-day pause on tariffs. The list is very long, so I'll just read the post that Trudeau made. Quote, I just had a good call with President Trump.

Canada is implementing our $1.3 billion border plan, reinforcing the border with new choppers, technology, and personnel, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. Nearly 10,000 frontline personnel are and will be working on protecting the border.

Canada is implementing our $1.3 billion border plan, reinforcing the border with new choppers, technology, and personnel, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. Nearly 10,000 frontline personnel are and will be working on protecting the border.

In addition, Canada is making new commitments to appoint a fentanyl czar, we will list cartels as terrorists, ensure 24-7 eyes on the border, launch a Canada-US joint strike force to combat organized crime, fentanyl, and money laundering. So... Quite the list there.

In addition, Canada is making new commitments to appoint a fentanyl czar, we will list cartels as terrorists, ensure 24-7 eyes on the border, launch a Canada-US joint strike force to combat organized crime, fentanyl, and money laundering. So... Quite the list there.

Right. So quick refresher. President Trump last month threatened to reclaim the Panama Canal if the country's leaders did not offer cheaper passage to American naval vessels and do more to combat China's growing influence over the canal.

Right. So quick refresher. President Trump last month threatened to reclaim the Panama Canal if the country's leaders did not offer cheaper passage to American naval vessels and do more to combat China's growing influence over the canal.

But following a trip from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Panama's President Jose Raul Molino announced that he would not only be offering free passage through the canal for American naval vessels, but that his country would be withdrawing from China's Belt and Road Initiative entirely.

But following a trip from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Panama's President Jose Raul Molino announced that he would not only be offering free passage through the canal for American naval vessels, but that his country would be withdrawing from China's Belt and Road Initiative entirely.

So a major victory for the White House and, importantly, a significant blow to China's influence over the canal and Central America more broadly.

So a major victory for the White House and, importantly, a significant blow to China's influence over the canal and Central America more broadly.