With President Donald Trump’s increased tariffs now in effect, the European Union retaliates with its own tariffs. And U.S. and Ukrainian leaders agree on terms for a ceasefire with Russia. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

European Union hits back at US with 25% tariffs

The European Union increased taxes in response to President Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, which took effect Wednesday, March 12.

And it’s not just steel and aluminum that will be impacted.

The EU’s retaliatory tariffs extend to textiles, home appliances and agricultural products. Its countermeasures will impact about $28 billion worth of U.S. goods.

Meanwhile, Australia’s prime minister said that while the U.S. tariffs on Australian steel and aluminum are unjustified, his government will not retaliate with its own tariffs.

This all comes as Canada reverses its position on threats to implement a 25% price hike on electricity exports to Michigan, New York and Minnesota.

That reversal from Ontario’s premier, Doug Ford, came as Trump threatened to double tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum to 50% in response.

Ford will meet with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Thursday, March 13, to discuss a renewed trade agreement.

Markets remain reactive to the tariff turmoil, with the S&P 500 stock index reaching its lowest level since September 2024.

On Monday, March 10, the Nasdaq posted its worst day since 2022 after the president declined to rule out the possibility of a recession.

Trump was asked about a possible recession by reporters about this again on Tuesday, March 11.

“I don’t see it at all. I think this country is going to boom,” Trump said. “But as I said, I can do it the easy way or the hard way. The hard way to do it is exactly what I’m doing. But the results are going to be 20 times greater”

US lifts pause on Ukraine aid, intel sharing amid possible ceasefire

The U.S. will lift its suspension of military aid to Ukraine after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed to a 30-day ceasefire in the war with Russia following talks with American officials in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, March 11.

The U.S. will also resume intelligence sharing with Ukraine, which the Trump administration paused as part of its effort to resolve the war.

Straight Arrow News reporter Lauren Taylor noted that while Ukraine has agreed to a ceasefire, attention now turns to Russia.

Trump announced that he will invite Zelenskyy back to the White House as part of the ceasefire deal, which includes an agreement for the U.S. and Ukraine to reach a “comprehensive agreement for developing Ukraine’s critical mineral resources.”

It comes less than two weeks after a tense exchange in the Oval Office between the two presidents.

They were supposed to sign a mineral agreement on Feb. 28, but it concluded with Zelenskyy escorted from the White House earlier than expected, without a deal being finalized.

Senate to vote on GOP bill, aim to prevent government shutdown

The U.S. Senate will vote on a bill Wednesday, March 12, to prevent the government from shutting down Friday, March 14, following the House’s narrow passage of a stopgap on Tuesday night, March 11.

The 217 to 213 vote saw only one GOP lawmaker oppose it — Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie.

Now, Senate Democrats are under pressure to decide whether to support a continuing resolution, which extends government funding at current levels.

Republicans control 53 Senate seats, and Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul has confirmed he is firmly against the measure.

That means at least eight Democrats would have to support the bill to pass the Senate’s 60-vote threshold and reach Trump’s desk.

If the measure passes the House and the Senate, it would keep the government funded until at least September 2025.

Federal agency proposes ‘urgent’ changes after DC plane crash

Immediate changes are in the works for Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, D.C., after the NTSB released a report on the midair collision of an American Airlines passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter that killed 67 people in January 2025.

While the NTSB’s report provided some insight into what may have contributed to January’s deadly crash, the exact cause has yet to be determined.

Straight Arrow News reporter Kalé Carey breaks down what’s changing here.

Greenland’s opposition party wins most votes in election

There was a political shake-up in Greenland after its parliamentary elections, which the center-right “Pro-business” opposition party won on Tuesday, March 11.

According to the results, the nation’s Demokraatit Party has surpassed the ruling left-wing Democratic Socialist Party in an election cycle largely dominated by discussions of Trump’s renewed interest in Greenland and calls from residents for independence from Denmark.

The winning party advocated for a “slower approach to Greenland’s independence.” Greenland’s “Independence Party,” which placed second, had campaigned for a quicker severance of ties with Denmark.

Trump posted on Truth Social this week that the U.S. supports Greenland’s right to determine its own future. He continued to express interest in “welcoming Greenland” to become part of the U.S.

NCAA tournament: Teams earn automatic bids with conference upsets

Selection Sunday is just days away, meaning March Madness approaches.

It is Championship Week in men’s college basketball, and teams winning their conference championships are earning automatic bids to the NCAA tournament.

On Tuesday, March 11, four more teams punched their tickets. The total number of automatic bids has reached eleven.

Straight Arrow News sports reporter Chris Francis has more on the latest teams that have made it to the big dance here.