The President's Daily Brief - March 12th, 2025: Trump Slaps New Tariffs On Canada & Security Clearance Crackdown

Episode Date: March 12, 2025

In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief: The trade war with Canada escalates—President Trump slaps fresh tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum after Ontario’s governor announces electricity surcharges for American customers. We’ll break down the latest developments and what this means for U.S.-Canada relations. A diplomatic breakthrough in the Middle East—Israel and Lebanon are set to negotiate their land border for the first time in years, just months after Israel’s invasion of Lebanon. The Trump administration moves to revoke security clearances from former Biden officials once again, raising questions about access to classified intelligence. And in today’s Back of the Brief—the Department of Homeland Security rolls out a new CBP app with a controversial “self-deport” feature. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President’s Daily Brief by visiting PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President’s Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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First up, the trade war between the U.S. and Canada heats up, with President Trump threatening massive tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, after the governor of Ontario announced electricity surcharges for American customers. I'll have the latest. Later in the show, just months after Israel's invasion of Lebanon, a breakthrough, Israel and Lebanon are set to negotiate their land border for the first time in years. Plus, the Trump administration announces that it's once again pulling security clearances from former Biden officials. And in today's back of the brief, the Department of Homeland Security is launching a new Customs and Border Patrol or CBP app with a self-deport feature. But first, today's BDB spotlight. We'll begin with an update on the North American trade war, as President Trump sent markets tumbling on Tuesday after announcing new retaliatory tariffs on Canada, only to pump the brakes again on the new duties just hours later.

It was another day of back-and-forth announcements from the White House, which began when President Trump declared his intent to slap a 50% tariff on imports of Canadian steel and aluminum, doubling a previously announced 25% tariff on the products set to take effect on Wednesday. Trump announced the retaliatory measure after Ontario Premier Doug Ford imposed a 25% tax on electricity exports to the U.S. on Monday, and that's according to our report from CNN. It appeared the trade war was set for an extraordinary escalation, threatening to further royal markets that are, well, frankly, already in turmoil. Earlier on Tuesday, Trump took to Truth Social, calling the electricity tariff, quote,

outrageous. In addition to imposing a 50% tariff on Canadian steel and on aluminum, Trump vowed to target Canadian electricity with a 25% tariff and imposed new taxes aimed at crippling the Canadian auto industry. He added that the only solution to the trade crisis was for Canada to become the 51st state. But after several tense hours, both sides decided to keep their powder dry and back down from the economic threats, at least for now. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik and Ontario Premier Ford issued a joint statement Tuesday afternoon, saying they would meet on Thursday in Washington to renegotiate aspects of the current North American Free Trade Treaty,

known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement or USMCA. In the meantime, Ontario agreed to suspend its 25% surcharge on electricity exports, while White House Trade Advisor Peter Navarro confirmed that Trump's 50% retaliatory tariffs on steel and aluminum would be shelved. Are you following me so far? Critically, however, the previously planned 25% tariff on steel and aluminum from Canada and all other U.S. trading partners will still go into effect today. Addressing the chaotic events, a White House spokesman said, quote, President Trump has once again used the leverage of the American economy to deliver a win for the American people, end quote. Okay. Still, trade tensions remain high between the U.S. and Canada,

and jittery investors are anticipating further chaos despite the temporary reprieve. The Canadian government has still promised to retaliate against the previously announced 25% tariff on global steel and aluminum, though it's not clear what their next move will be. It's impossible to keep score here, isn't it? Trump, meanwhile, threatened more levies on Canadian exports in the near future if they don't lift various tariffs on U.S. dairy and agricultural products. Trump said Tuesday, quote, If other egregious long-time tariffs are not likewise dropped by Canada,

I will substantially increase on April 2nd, the tariffs on cars coming into the U.S., which will essentially permanently shut down the automobile manufacturing business in Canada, end quote. As I mentioned, Trump also reiterated his invitation for Canada to become, I'm sorry, I tried to read that with a straight face, didn't I? As I mentioned, Trump also reiterated his invitation for Canada to become the 51st state, saying the tariff issue would vanish overnight if they agreed to be absorbed into the U.S. almost made it. Canadian leaders, as you can imagine,

are not pleased. That's putting it mildly in a diplomatic fashion. Mark Carney, who's set to succeed Justin Trudeau as Prime Minister in the coming days, called Trump's latest tariff threats a, quote, attack on Canadian workers, families, and businesses, eh?

End quote. He continued, quote, My government will keep our tariffs on until the Americans show us respect and make credible, reliable commitments to free and fair trade, end quote. Now, as a reminder, this whole drama began in early February when President Trump announced plans to impose a 25% tariff on most goods from Canada and Mexico over the migrant and drug crisis said both borders, as well as what Trump argues are imbalances in the current

free trade treaty. After pausing those tariffs for a period of one month, Trump enacted the tariffs last Tuesday, though he lowered the tariff on Canadian energy products to 10%. Canada responded by imposing an immediate 25% tariff on nearly $30 billion worth of American goods, while threatening more in the near future. But last Thursday, Trump signed an executive order delaying the 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico for all products covered by the USMCA Free Trade Treaty. The exemption, which frankly only covers roughly 38% of Canadian imports, will last through April 2nd, and that's the same day that President Trump plans to impose reciprocal tariffs on all major U.S. trading partners, including longtime allies. Now, as you can imagine, the abrupt starts and stops

on tariffs have left investors' heads spinning, and all major U.S. stock indexes posted their second straight day of losses on Tuesday. Okay. Coming up next, Israel and Lebanon agreed a border talks just months after Israel's invasion. And the Trump administration pulls security clearances from former Biden officials. I'll be right back. Kayak gets my flight, hotel, and rental car right. So I can tune out travel advice that's just plain wrong.

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U.N. Details at yamava.com must be 21-20. Please gamble responsibly. Monopoly is a trademark of Hasbro. Hasbro is not a sponsor of this promotion. Welcome back to the BDB. After weeks of quiet U.S.-led mediation, Israel and Lebanon have agreed to negotiate their long-disputed land border. That's a development that comes just months after Israel's invasion of Lebanon

as part of its war against Hezbollah. The talks spearheaded by the Trump administration seek to stabilize the ceasefire, brokered last November under the then-Biden administration, and addressed longstanding territorial disputes that have fueled decades of conflict. A senior U.S. official confirmed on Tuesday to Axios that after extensive diplomatic efforts to shore up the ceasefire and generate momentum for a political resolution, both sides have now agreed to formal negotiations, which could begin as early as next month. The discussions will center on 13 contested points along the blue line, and that's the boundary drawn by the United Nations back in 2000

to track Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon after its occupation. These disputed zones have been a persistent flashpoint for hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah terrorists, complicating efforts to maintain stability. To structure the negotiations, trilateral working groups consisting of representatives from the U.S., Israel, and Lebanon, will be formed. Their focus will be threefold, resolving land border disputes, addressing the status of Lebanese prisoners held by Israel, and negotiating conditions for Israel's withdrawal from five remaining outposts in southern Lebanon. In a sign of goodwill, Israel has already released five Lebanese prisoners, including

a Hezbollah terrorist captured during last year's fighting. Now, U.S. Deputy Middle East envoy Morgan Ortegous underscored the urgency of the negotiations, stating that Washington looks forward to quickly convening discussions to, quote, resolve outstanding issues. For Lebanon's newly formed government, the agreement marks an early diplomatic test, one that could set the tone for its regional posture moving forward. In preparation for the upcoming talks, a high-level quadrilateral military meeting took place in southern Lebanon, bringing together

representatives from Israel, Lebanon, the United States, and France. The meeting held behind closed doors was designed to lay the groundwork for negotiations by hashing out key security concerns along the border. A White House official reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to enforcing the ceasefire and ensuring its full implementation, stressing that Washington and its international partners remain dedicated to securing a peaceful resolution. The negotiations will build on the 2022 Maritime Border Deal between Israel and Lebanon, which helped to de-escalate tensions over offshore gas fields. Still, while the talks mark a significant diplomatic leap, they offer no guarantees of lasting peace. Chesbola's entrenched presence in southern Lebanon and Israel's deep-rooted security concerns,

well, they remain formidable obstacles. However, if successful, the negotiations could significantly reduce the likelihood of future hostilities. That's an optimistic perspective, and for the first time in decades, offer a potential breakthrough in Israel-Lebanon relations. All right. Shifting stateside. Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, has revoked the security clearances of dozens of Biden administration officials at President Trump's direction, escalating tensions over access to classified intelligence. Gabbard confirmed the decision in a post on X, stating that she had formally revoked the clearances of former Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, former National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and former Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. Monaco notably played a central role in prosecuting Trump's supporters involved in the 6th January capital insurrection, making her inclusion in the purge especially pointed.

Trump had long signaled that multiple officials would lose their security clearances, hinting at the move through a series of executive orders and social media statements since returning to the White House. Among the names on the list are New York Attorney General Letitia James and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Brass. both of whom spearheaded legal actions, of course, against Trump, including criminal and business-related investigations. Bragg, of course, made history as the first prosecutor to indict a then-former U.S. president on felony charges. The purge extends well beyond Trump's legal adversaries, though. Also stripped of clearance are former U.S. ambassador to the Czech Republic, Norm Eisen, and former FBI General Counsel Andrew Wiseman. Both have been high-profile critics of Trump, frequently appearing in the media as vocal opponents of his administration.

Now, in line with Trump's decision, former President Biden will no longer receive the president's daily brief. What? The classified intelligence summary, oh, that president's daily brief. The classified intelligence summary typically provided to former presidents. While such briefings have historically continued post-presidency, Biden himself revoked Trump's access back in 2021, setting a precedent that now appears to be coming full circle. Now, to be fair, I will not revoke President Biden's access to our PDB, although it would be appreciated if he'd pony up for the premium access to our podcast. Just a thought.

Gabbard also confirmed that security clearances had been revoked for the 51 former intelligence officials who signed a controversial 2020 letter, implying that Hunter Biden's laptop could be Russian disinformation. Trump had signed an executive order on his first day back in office, directing their removal, though it remains unclear just how many of them still had active access to classified information. Unsurprisingly, Trump's opponents are framing the move as politically motivated crackdown. I told you it would be unsurprising, accusing him of wielding national security protocols as a tool for retribution. Well, that's never been done before.

His earlier decision to strip Biden's clearance sparked for, fierce debate, and now the administration has taken steps to revoke security access for lawyers at firms such as Covington and Burling and Perkins Cooey, both of which played key roles in legal battles against him. But Trump's security shake-up isn't just about settling political scores. It's also about restoring accountability in a system that, in his view, has been weaponized against him and his supporters. Even some of his former allies are now caught in the crossfire. His first administration's secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, a once loyal Republican who has since emerged as a sharp critic of Trump's foreign policy, also lost his clearance. Okay, coming up next in the

back of the brief, the Department of Homeland Security, has launched a new app, oh, they've got a new app, that officials say will allow immigrants suspected of being in the country illegally to report when they self-deport. We'll have those details next. duos can save the day like superheroes and sidekicks or auto and home insurance. With USAA, you can bundle your auto and home and save up to 10%. Tap the banner to learn more and get a quote at usaa.com slash bundle. Restrictions apply. Now's the time to save on new carpet at the Home Depot. Receive 10% off your total carpet project and 12 months special financing. Plus, we'll measure your space for free. Choose from a variety of stylish, on-trend options fit for

everyday life with life-proof, life-proof with pet-proof technology. Home decorators collection and traffic master carcets. Save 10% and get 12 months special financing. Now at the Home Depot. Offer valid April 16th through May 3rd, 2006. Exclusions apply for licenses. See Home Depot.com slash license numbers. Welcome back to the PDB. In today's back of the brief, the Trump administration is revamping a controversial immigration app from the Biden era, adding a feature that encourages migrants living illegally in the U.S. to, quote, self-deport. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security launched the new app on Tuesday, which is a repurposed version of the CBP1 app that the Biden administration first introduced back in January of 2023. Under that program, migrants were able to use the CBP1 cell phone app to claim refugee status, which allowed at least 936,000 illegal immigrants, that's almost a million, to apply for asylum from within their home countries, before flying.

to the U.S. Once they arrived in the U.S., the vast majority of migrants were released into the country on parole, allowing them to get work permits and stay in the country for up to two years. But that program was shut down through an executive order within minutes of Trump being sworn into office, along with virtually every other Biden-era program that facilitated the influx of nearly 8 million migrants into the U.S. over the last four years, and that's just those that we know about. the known Godaways, well, that's a whole other question. The White House has now officially rebranded the app, dubbing it CBP Home, in an attempt to accelerate the removal of illegal migrants

as they work to secure more resources from Congress to enact Trump's mass deportation agenda. The app contains a self-deportation reporting feature, which lets migrants submit their intent to depart the U.S. to the DHS. Officials with DHS said the app will be the centerpiece of a broader $200 million domestic and international ad campaign that will encourage undocumented migrants to, quote, stay out and leave now. DHS Secretary Kristy Noem issued a statement saying, quote, the CBP home app gives aliens the option to leave now and self-deport, so they may still have the opportunity to return legally

in the future and live the American dream. If they don't, we'll find them, we'll deport them, and they'll never return, end quote. But according to a report from Axios, the app is already causing controversy among immigration advocates. Well, again, there's not a surprise there, who denounced it as a mean-spirited attempt to scare and confuse migrants who came into the country under what was then a lawful federal program. A representative of the advocacy group America's voice said it will quote, only had chaos and cruelty to an already broken system. Others said they're advising migrants to avoid the app, warning it will be used to collect their personal data, with no guarantees of securing a legal pathway for residency or citizenship in the future.

And that, my friends, is the President's Daily Brief for Wednesday, the 12th of March. If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to me at PDB at thefirsttv.com. And, of course, as you may well know, if you happen to be in the know, to listen to the show ad-free, just become a premium member of the President's Daily Brief by visiting PDB Premium.com. I'm Mike Baker, and I'll be back later today with the PDB afternoon bulletin. Until then, stay informed, stay safe, stay cool. Some follow the noise.

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