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2026-02-19 17:58:03
[Trump Warms Up State of the Union Address: Trade Deficit to Turn Positive for the First Time in Decades] ⑴ The White House Press Office announced that US President Trump will deliver his State of the Union address to the Senate and House of Representatives on February 24. Trump himself indicated that he will focus on economic issues. ⑵ Regarding trade, Trump claimed that the US trade deficit has decreased by 78% due to tariff measures and predicted that it will turn positive this year for the first time in decades. This statement suggests that his trade policy may be further escalated. ⑶ The Gaza reconstruction issue has surfaced. According to US media reports, Trump's "Peace Committee" will pledge $5 billion for Gaza reconstruction, and JPMorgan Chase is in talks to provide banking services to the committee. ⑷ On military and diplomatic fronts, CBS News reported that senior national security officials have informed Trump that the military may launch an attack on Iran as early as Saturday. Trump also criticized Britain for returning sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius and hinted that if Iran does not reach an agreement, he may use US military bases on the main island of the archipelago. (5) Domestically, Trump signed an executive order, pursuant to the Defense Production Act, to ensure an adequate supply of elemental phosphorus and glyphosate herbicides. Meanwhile, 17 environmental organizations have filed lawsuits seeking to revoke greenhouse gas hazard designations.
