Trump Spurs New Trade Push and Legal Hurdles in Washington

Lead President Donald Trump on September 10 directed the European Union to impose 100 percent tariffs on China and India, faced a federal judge’s rebuke over a bid to remove Fed governor Lisa Cook and unveiled FDA guidelines to curb direct-to-consumer drug ads-all amid preparations for U.S.-India trade talks with Prime Minister Modi.

Nut Graf Today’s flurry of activity underscores Trump’s aggressive economic posture, judicial setbacks and regulatory interventions as he reshapes U.S. domestic and foreign policy ahead of the 2026 trade negotiation cycle and midterm elections.

Judicial Check on Fed Removal A federal district court blocked Trump’s order to oust Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve board, ruling his justification insufficient to meet legal standards for board member removal. The ruling marks a rare judicial rebuke of Trump’s assertion of unilateral executive authority over independent agencies.

Pushing 100 Percent Tariffs Trump issued a public appeal to EU leaders to levy a full 100 percent tariff on imports from China and India, framing the move as leverage to isolate Russia economically. He argued such measures would pressure Beijing and New Delhi to curb support for Moscow’s military campaign.

U.S.-India Trade Talks In a prelude to upcoming high-level discussions, Trump announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Washington next month to finalize reciprocal trade concessions. The talks aim to expand American exports of agricultural goods and industrial machinery.

FDA Crackdown on Drug Ads Trump signed a directive instructing the Food and Drug Administration to tighten rules on direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertising. The order mandates clearer risk disclosures and limits on promotional materials targeting seniors and other vulnerable populations.

• The FDA directive follows complaints that current ads obscure side-effect warnings and overemphasize benefits.
• Trump asserted the crackdown will reduce healthcare costs and protect consumers.

Overall, today’s developments highlight Trump’s continued use of executive actions and public appeals to advance his economic and regulatory agenda, while also revealing the constraints imposed by judicial oversight.