Today in History (March 6th,1775)
In 1775, the Treaty of Surat was signed by Raghunath Rao, sparking the First Anglo-Maratha War.
Summary of Today’s News
Trump’s Announcement on Reciprocal Tariffs
• U.S. President Donald Trump announced that reciprocal tariffs will be imposed starting April 2, targeting nations that charge high tariffs on American goods.
• This announcement was made during his address to the Joint Session of Congress on Tuesday, his first address of his second term.
Trump’s Criticism of Tariffs:
• Trump criticized the high tariffs imposed by India and other countries, calling them “very unfair.”
• He mentioned that countries like the European Union, China, Brazil, India, Mexico, and Canada charge significantly higher tariffs on U.S. products than the U.S. charges on their products.
• India was specifically mentioned for charging auto tariffs higher than 100%.
Impact of Tariffs:
• Trump stated that countries that do not manufacture their products in the U.S. would face tariffs, with some being “rather large.”
• He emphasized that countries have used tariffs against the U.S. for decades, and now it was time for the U.S. to impose reciprocal tariffs.
Countries and Tariff Comparisons:
• China’s average tariff on U.S. products is twice that of the U.S. on Chinese products.
• South Korea’s average tariff is four times higher than the U.S.’s tariff.
• Trump highlighted that the U.S. provides military help to South Korea, yet South Korea imposes such high tariffs on U.S. goods.
Reciprocal Tariffs Explained:
• Trump stated that any tariff imposed on the U.S. by other countries will be met with a similar tariff on them.
• The tariffs will be both monetary and non-monetary, with a focus on removing barriers that prevent the U.S. from accessing foreign markets.
Tariffs on Specific Countries:
• The U.S. is imposing a 25% additional tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico.
• A 10% additional tariff is being imposed on imports from China.
Retaliatory Actions by Other Countries:
• Canada will impose 25% tariffs on $30 billion worth of U.S. goods, effective March 4, 2025.
• Mexico plans to announce reciprocal tariffs on Sunday.
• China will impose additional tariffs of up to 15% on key U.S. farm products.
Trump’s Vision for America:
• Trump emphasized that these tariffs are part of his plan to reshape America’s economy and ensure fairness in trade.
Zelenskyy is ready for peace talks, deal on minerals: Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had written to him expressing readiness to negotiate peace with Russia.
o Zelenskyy also indicated willingness to sign a deal on critical minerals to ensure future U.S. support for Ukraine.
Details from Zelenskyy’s Letter:
o Zelenskyy thanked the U.S. for its support in Ukraine’s war with Russia.
o He emphasized that Ukraine is ready to negotiate a peace deal with Russia as soon as possible.
o Zelenskyy mentioned that no one wants peace more than the Ukrainians.
o Zelenskyy expressed readiness to work under Trump’s leadership to achieve lasting peace.
o He acknowledged and valued the U.S.’s role in helping Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence.
o Zelenskyy confirmed his readiness to sign a minerals deal at a time convenient for the U.S.
Context of Trump’s Remarks:
o Trump’s comments came after a difficult meeting with Zelenskyy at the White House the previous week.
o The remarks also followed Vice-President J.D. Vance’s skeptical comments about a proposed international security force for postwar Ukraine.
Trump’s Response to the Letter:
o Trump appreciated receiving Zelenskyy’s letter but did not specify if it would lead to a change in U.S. policy toward Ukraine.
Humour and perversity
• The Supreme Court suggested that the Government should consider regulatory measures to prevent vulgarity or perversity in the name of humour.
• The Court called for discussions among stakeholders to create regulations that would respect freedom of speech while adhering to “reasonable restrictions” in the Constitution.
Concerns About New Regulations:
• There is a concern that new regulations may be unnecessary, as existing laws already address obscenity and vulgarity in electronic and digital content.
• The controversial programme “India’s Got Latent” is an example, where those involved are facing FIRs and seeking protection from arrest, indicating that current laws might already suffice.
Existing Legal Framework:
• Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), obscene content in electronic form is punishable if it is “lascivious” or appeals to prurient interests.
• The IT Act also contains similar penal provisions related to obscenity in digital content.
• The Programme Code under the Cable Television Network Rules prohibits programmes that offend decency.
• The IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 provide age-based classifications and a grievance redress system, with three levels: platform, self-regulatory body, and a government inter-departmental committee.
Debate on Humour:
• The debate between “clean” and “dirty” humour is long-standing, but the distinction is generally understood.
• Public outrage often arises over instances of obscenity or vulgarity, leading to calls for maintaining decency and morality.
Public Outrage and Legal Actions:
• In this case, the vulgar comments by participants in the programme were met with public outrage, especially since the content was leaked outside the intended audience.
• The participants may face prosecution, but a more mature society should question whether such verbal offences warrant imprisonment.
Concerns Over FIRs and Police Involvement:
• There is criticism of the tendency to file FIRs in response to every complaint, with police involvement often escalating the situation.
• The universal reach of the internet should not be an excuse for universal jurisdiction, leading to multiple cases and unnecessary court involvement.
Caution Against Overzealous Legal Responses:
• Extreme cases like this provoke extreme reactions, but law enforcement and legal institutions should avoid being overzealous in their response.
Greenland is ours, says PM Egede, defying Trump threat
• Greenland’s Prime Minister, Múte Bourup Egede, declared that “Greenland is ours” and cannot be taken or bought.
• This statement was made in defiance of U.S. President Donald Trump’s message suggesting that the U.S. will acquire Greenland “one way or another.”
Egede’s Clarification on Greenland’s Identity:
• Egede emphasized that Greenland’s citizens are neither American nor Danish but Greenlandic.
• He stated that the future of Greenland will be decided by its people, not by external forces like the U.S.
• Trump’s Appeal to Greenlanders:
• President Trump made a direct appeal to Greenlanders in a speech to the U.S. Congress, expressing strong support for their right to self-determination.
• Trump stated that if Greenlanders choose to join the U.S., they would be welcomed, promising safety, prosperity, and the elevation of Greenland to unprecedented heights.
• Greenland’s Reaction to Trump’s Threats:
• Many in Greenland, a vast, mineral-rich island that is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, are worried and offended by Trump’s suggestion to seize control of the island.
• Danish Prime Minister’s Support for Greenland:
• Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen echoed Egede’s sentiments, reinforcing that Greenland is not for sale.
• She emphasized that Denmark values its relationship with Greenland and seeks to improve the commonwealth through equality and respect.
