Hook Weekly Wrap | 11.07.25
Trump hits Canada and other key allies with tariffs, picks fight with Brazil
US President Donald Trump today in a letter slapped Canada with a 35% tariff on imports effective Aug 1. Trump’s letter to Canada comes after he sent more than 20 letters to countries this week, including key allies like Japan and South Korea, informing them what rates their goods will be tariffed at, come August 1.
Notably, Trump threatened Brazil with a 50% tax on goods made in the South American nation. Trump’s letter cites reasons such as "attacks" on US tech companies, conducting a "witch hunt" against former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, as well as “unsustainable trade deficits” with Brazil.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in response said an increase in tariffs on Brazil would be reciprocated and that it can survive without trade with the US.
Also watch: Bolsonaro trial, BRICS and climate: Why Trump is threatening 50% tariffs against Brazil
119 dead, 150 people still missing after devastating July 4th floods in Texas
Moving on, at least 150 people are still missing in a single Texas county following the devastating July 4th floods that hit parts of the state. At least 119 people have died with 95 of those confirmed to have occurred in the Kerrville area.
Trump slams Musk’s ‘America’ political party as "ridiculous"
Shifting focus, Trump on Monday slammed former BFF and billionaire Elon Musk’s plans to form a new political party as "ridiculous". Speaking to reporters, Trump reiterated that the US has “always been a two-party system” and “a third party just adds to confusion”.
Musk had announced on July 5 that he is establishing the "America Party" in response to Trump's tax-cut and spending bill, which Musk said would bankrupt the country.
Netanyahu meets Trump at White House; Wait for Israel-Hamas ceasefire goes on
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu twice met with US President Donald Trump at the White House this week. Despite this and simultaneous indirect talks between Israel and Hamas, no ceasefire deal has yet emerged.
But on Wednesday Hamas had said that it agreed to release 10 hostages as part of a deal even as ongoing talks were "tough" because of Israel's "intransigence".
Also watch: Israel plans open prison for 2 million Gazans | Trump, Netanyahu draw bleak future
US sanctions top UN diplomat Francesca Albanese
Speaking of Israel’s ongoing military offensive in Gaza, one of its most outspoken critics - UN Human Rights Council special rapporteur Francesca Albanese - was sanctioned by the US.
In response, Albanese posted on X saying the sanctions by the US “is not a sign of strength, but of guilt”.
And with that, it’s a wrap on geopolitics this week. Download the app or log on to Hook.online for all the latest updates.
