Trump: IVF Cost Cut, Auto Tariffs at 25%

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

Donald Trump signed an executive order to make IVF more affordable.
He reaffirmed plans to impose approximately 25% tariffs on imported autos.
Trump expressed disappointment that Ukraine was excluded from US-Russia talks.
He stated he has no objection to European peacekeeping troops in Ukraine.
Elon Musk will be excluded from space-related government decisions.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

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US President Donald Trump signed three executive orders on Tuesday, including one aimed at making in vitro fertilization (IVF) more affordable across the country. This follows his campaign pledge that IVF treatments would be covered by the government or insurance if re-elected. Donald Trump is taking action to lower IVF costs.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the signing, stating, “The order directs policy recommendations to protect IVF access and aggressively reduce out-of-pocket and health plan costs for such treatments.” The administration aims to expand fertility treatment access while easing financial burdens on families struggling with infertility.

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Trump also reaffirmed plans to impose tariffs on imported vehicles, setting the rate at around 25%. Speaking at his Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, he said, “I’ll probably tell you that on April 2, but it’ll be in the neighborhood of 25%.”

Last week, Trump indicated these tariffs would take effect as soon as April 2, the day after his cabinet presents reports outlining potential import duties. This is part of his broader strategy to reshape global trade policies and promote domestic manufacturing.

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During the press conference, Trump addressed the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, expressing disappointment that Ukraine was excluded from recent US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, while expressing confidence in a potential peace deal.

Defending the discussions between US and Russian officials in Riyadh, Trump said Ukraine should have engaged in negotiations much earlier. “I’m very disappointed. I hear that, you know, they’re upset about not having a seat. Well, they’ve had a seat for three years and a long time before that. This could have been settled very easily,” he remarked.

Regarding the possibility of European peacekeeping troops being deployed in Ukraine as part of a peace agreement, Trump made clear that he had no objections. “Having troops over there would be fine, I wouldn’t object to it at all,” he said.

Trump criticized President Joe Biden’s handling of the war, accusing him of prolonging the conflict by supplying Ukraine with weapons instead of working toward a resolution. Claiming he could personally bring an end to the war, Trump stated, “I think I have the power to end this war.”

Following the latest discussions, Trump expressed increased optimism about a potential peace deal. When asked whether he was more or less confident in an agreement after Tuesday’s talks, he responded, “Much more confident. They were very good.” He also revealed that he is likely to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin before the end of the month.

In addition to auto tariffs, Trump announced plans to unilaterally impose 25% import taxes on pharmaceuticals and microchips as early as April 1, despite concerns that such measures could drive up inflation – an issue he vowed to address during his campaign.

Trump defended the tariffs as a means of achieving “reciprocity” in trade and pressuring manufacturers to bring production back to the US. “I probably will tell you that on April 2, but it’ll be in the neighborhood of 25%,” he said. “Pharmaceuticals, it’ll be 25% and higher, and it’ll go very substantially higher over the course of a year.”

Trump also criticized trade imbalances with the European Union, arguing that EU consumers do not buy American cars due to unfair tariffs imposed by the 27-nation bloc. “We have a deficit of USD 350 billion. They don’t take our cars, they don’t take our farm products, they take almost nothing. They take very little, and we’re going to have to straighten that out, and we will,” he said.

Musk to Be Excluded from Space Related Government Decisions

Donald Trump said that billionaire Elon Musk will not be involved in any space-related government decisions, citing potential conflicts of interest amid the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) cost-cutting efforts.

“So anything to do with possibly even space, we won’t let Elon partake in that,” Trump told reporters when asked about Musk’s role.

Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, is currently leading DOGE, which aims to streamline government spending. However, his leadership in both the private and public sectors has raised questions about possible conflicts, especially regarding space policy and government contracts.

Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember