Big Ten schools sign pact against Trump
In the face of the Trump administration’s actions against schools, including cutting research funding, dissolving the Department of Education, and ending international student visas, Big Ten schools have chosen to take a stand. University senates and leading faculty have made an agreement to pool legal and financial resources in the event that they face legal challenges from the federal government. This legislation was ratified by the University of Minnesota on April 24. The agreement was spurred by a letter sent to nine Big Ten schools from the Department of Education warning of potential ramifications if the institutions failed to properly protect Jewish students.
Trump downsizes presence in international organizations
Donald Trump campaigned on a view he dubbed “America First,” seeking to minimize U.S. commitment overseas. This has involved the removal of the U.S. from numerous international organizations: the United Nations Human Rights Council, the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, citing antisemitism and fear that the organizations strayed from the original purpose of the UN. The U.S. will work with a UN ambassador on May 5 to reconsider participation. The US also pulled out of the World Health Organization, alleging that the organization mishandled the Covid-19 pandemic. Additionally, Trump withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement, citing unfair economic burdens. Trump left the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action to “make the world safer” and left the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which would have formed the largest trade bloc in the world, because the requirements opposed Trump’s tariffs plans.
The impact of tariffs
On April 2, Trump imposed a blanket 10% tariff on all countries. This comes after various tariffs imposed on China that stand at 124% and a 25% tariff on all goods from Mexico and Canada, violating previous trade agreement USMCA. Additionally, Trump upped reciprocal tariffs on 90 countries, affecting domestic industry and pricing. EU retaliatory tariffs are estimated to cost around $23.3 billion in trade from that bloc alone. The tariffs block access to domestic production of goods and services, meaning limited supply and inflation passed onto consumers. Tech and automotive industries are expected to see the most harm as a result of the tariffs. The stock market has been seeing major shocks with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping 2,200 points in a single day. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq also saw major losses indicating a lack of investor confidence and signaling a slow economy.
Walz delivers State of the State address
On April 23, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz gave his first statewide address since the 2024 presidential election. Walz made his distaste for the actions of the Trump administration clear. “The president of the United States has chosen—chosen!—to throw our economy into turmoil,” Walz said. He asked legislators for their help in combating the actions of the administration by leading in-state governing in other directions. During this time, he made clear his commitment to work with Republican legislators towards helping Minnesotans. “As governor, I will continue to do everything in my power to protect Minnesotans from getting hurt and continue to provide shelter from the storm for Minnesotans,” Walz said.
This piece was originally published in Zephyrus’ print edition on May 8, 2025
