Trump Threatens Higher Tariffs on EU if Trade Talks Fail

United States President, Donald Trump, has threatened to impose “much higher” tariffs on the European Union if the bloc fails to remove its levies on American goods before July 4, escalating fresh tensions in transatlantic trade relations.

Trump issued the warning after a phone conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, stating that the EU must agree to zero tariffs on U.S. exports or face steep economic consequences.

“I agreed to give her until our Country’s 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels,” Trump said.

In response, von der Leyen said the European Union was making “good progress towards tariff reduction” ahead of the deadline, while reaffirming commitment to ongoing negotiations between both sides.

The tariff dispute comes amid renewed uncertainty over a trade agreement reached last year between Washington and Brussels, which initially proposed a 15 per cent tariff on EU exports to the United States, while Trump had earlier pushed for a 30 per cent levy on European goods.

Although the deal received conditional backing from the European Parliament in March, lawmakers inserted safeguards requiring assurances that the United States would also honour its commitments, particularly concerning steel and aluminium exemptions.

Under the proposed arrangement, EU legislators insisted they would only accept zero tariffs on U.S. goods if European exports made with steel and aluminium were excluded from Trump’s global 50 per cent tariffs on the metals.

Despite parliamentary progress, final approval still depends on agreement from all 27 EU member states, while further negotiations are expected to continue later this month in Strasbourg.

Ahead of Trump’s latest comments, European Parliament chief negotiator Bernd Lange said discussions were progressing but warned that “there is still some way to go.”

However, tensions were further complicated hours after Trump’s threat when a United States trade court ruled that his latest 10 per cent global tariffs were not justified under U.S. trade law, potentially opening the door to further legal challenges.

The court ruling, though limited in scope, questioned the legal basis used by the Trump administration under Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act, which allows temporary tariffs to address balance of payments deficits.

Trump had previously introduced the sweeping 10 per cent levy in February, following earlier legal and political disputes over his so-called “freedom day” tariffs.

While the court decision does not immediately block the tariffs nationwide, it applies to import duties involving two companies and could encourage wider legal opposition.

With negotiations ongoing and legal uncertainty mounting, analysts say the dispute signals a renewed phase of economic friction between the United States and the European Union.

Dangote Unveils Plan for 20,000MW Power Project

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has announced plans to build a 20,000-megawatt power project, marking a major expansion of his industrial interests beyond oil refining, cement and fertiliser production.

Dangote disclosed the plan during an interview with Makhtar Diop, managing director of the International Finance Corporation, saying the project forms part of efforts to address Africa’s persistent energy deficit.

“We are now going into power… 20,000 megawatts,” he said, adding that the continent’s most urgent needs remain energy, fertilisers and industrial inputs.

Although he did not provide details on financing or implementation timelines, the proposed project, if realised, would significantly transform Nigeria’s struggling power sector, where generation remains inconsistent despite an installed capacity of about 13,000MW.

Dangote said Africa’s development priorities are clear, stressing that “the needs of Africa are petroleum products and fertilisers.”

According to him, his conglomerate is also expanding aggressively in fertiliser production and related industrial ventures.

“Today, in about two and a half years, we will be the largest fertiliser company in the world. We are putting up 12 million tons of urea. We are opening up mines of potash and phosphate in Congo and Brazil. We are building the biggest deep-sea port with an 18-meter draft. We are doing LNG,” he said.

The billionaire industrialist added that the expansion drive is being supported by stronger cash flows and improved financial flexibility within his business empire.

“We are now actually free of assets, and we can actually raise more money. Our cash flow now is very, very strong,” he said.

The announcement comes amid the ongoing expansion of the Dangote Refinery, which is currently being scaled up toward a capacity of 1.4 million barrels per day, further cementing its position as one of the largest refining facilities in the world.

Ezeibe–Lassina Wedding Draws Top African Dignitaries To Marrakech, Morocco

By Boniface Ihiasota, Washington DC, USA

Marrakech, the historic and picturesque city in the Kingdom of Morocco, was transformed into a theatre of elegance and high society as African political elites, business magnates, diplomats and prominent families converged for the wedding of Munachi “Muna” Ezeibe and Cherina Zerbo Lassina.

The ceremony, which held between May 8 and 9 and covered by Diaspora Watch Newspaper, brought together influential guests from Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Europe, Canada and the United States, in what can be described as one of the most sophisticated African destination weddings in recent times.

The union joined two respected families, that of Nigerian businessman Chief Ezeibe and the distinguished household of former Burkina Faso Prime Minister Dr. Zerbo Lassina.

Former Nigerian Vice President, Atiku Abubakar chaired the event as Father of the Day, adding political gravitas to an already glittering occasion.

In brief remarks that drew warm applause, he recalled his decades-long relationship with the groom’s father, noting that their friendship dated back to the 1980s, long before either man attained national prominence.

Atiku described Chief Ezeibe as “a great trustworthy man,” praising his consistency, loyalty and integrity over the years.

Turning to the couple, he offered a simple but powerful charge: “Love one another, trust each other, and always be there for one another — because at the end of the day, it’s just the two of you.”

He departed for Abuja shortly after, following goodwill messages to the newlyweds.

The emotional tone of the ceremony deepened when the groom’s mother, Mrs. Ezeibe, took the floor to speak about her son.

She described Muna as caring, dependable and exceptionally kind-hearted, recalling a touching childhood moment when he wrote her a letter at the age of eight, promising lifelong love, protection and support.

She disclosed that the letter remains preserved and laminated to this day.

Mrs. Ezeibe also spoke glowingly of Cherina, stating that after meeting her, she became convinced her son had found his true life partner.

She publicly welcomed the bride into the family as her second daughter and urged Muna to continue to cherish and love his wife.

The bride’s mother, Evelyne Zerbo Lassina, delivered a similarly emotional speech, noting the values of faith, unity, generosity and family bonding.

She praised Cherina’s compassionate nature and described Muna as a man of sincerity whose devotion had earned the confidence of her family.

Her remarks were met with repeated standing ovations from guests.

The ceremony attracted a high-profile guest list, including Margaret Obi, wife of Peter Obi; Chief and Lolo Emma Bishop Okonkwo; Chief Walter Chinedu Obi; Dr. Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi and his wife, alongside several other dignitaries from political, diplomatic, traditional and business circles.

In her remarks, Mrs Margaret Obi congratulated the newlyweds and urged them to build their union on mutual respect, trust and understanding.

She described marriage as a sacred institution that thrives on patience, sacrifice and unwavering commitment, while praying for enduring peace, love and prosperity in their home.

“Marriage is not just about the glamour of the wedding day, but about friendship, tolerance and standing by one another through every season of life,” she said. “I pray that your home will continually flourish in love, happiness and God’s abundant blessings.”

She also commended both families for fostering unity and cultural harmony through the union, describing the event as a celebration of African excellence and shared values.

The wedding reflected a rich fusion of Nigerian tradition, Burkinabé heritage, Christian values and international sophistication, with Marrakech briefly serving as a meeting point of African culture, influence and elite social networks.