President Trump’s tariffs rolls out amid Epstein case
WASHINGTON (NBC, KYMA/KECY) - With President Donald Trump's tariff deadline just hours away, the White House is scrambling to make deals as businesses and consumers brace for the impact, and while the president tries to move on, news relating to the Jeffrey Epstein files keeps coming up.
Inside 12 hours of Trump's tariff's taking effect, not all of the deals are done, with negotiations with China, Switzerland, India, and others still in the mix; uncertainty that leaves many worrying about who will ultimately pay the tab.
Heavy equipment maker Caterpillar warns that tariffs could bring a $1.5 billion bottom line loss while Marriott citing tariffs in a drop of government and international travel to the U.S.
"I try not to go over 50 dollars, 'cause that's my budget," said Jules Ronquillo, a shopper in San Jose.
A new Associated Press poll shows a majority of Americans say the cost of groceries are now a major source of stress.
"The idea that your fresh food is going to double or triple in price in a matter of days from when you previously purchased it, I think is a cause of concern for anyone," said Caroline Chen, a business professor at San Jose State University.
All of this is unfolding as the White House also deals with growing pressure for transparency in the Jeffery Epstein case.
The president suggesting transcripts of a recent nine-hour Justice Department interview with Epstein associate and convicted sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell could soon be released..
Her legal team pushing back in a written statement saying, "Whatever interest the public may have in Epstein, her legal options are viable, and her due process rights remain."
Maxwell is currently appealing her conviction while the House Oversight Committee is now calling on the Justice Department to turn over all of its files on Epstein and Maxwell by august 19.
Back to the tariffs, the president says more tariffs on pharmaceuticals, along with semi-conductors and chips, possibly at more than 200%, could be just weeks away.
