News Alert: Trading partners set to punish Trump for steel tariffs

View in your browser     Trading partners set to punish Trump for steel tariffs Foreign governments are threatening to launch stiff retaliatory measures against the United States if President Trump carries through on his threats to impose a 25 percent tariff on all steel and an 11 percent tariff on all aluminum imports to the United States. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told a German television station that Europe would retaliate against the sanctions with tariffs of its own. “We will put tariffs on Harley-Davidson, on bourbon and on blue jeans — Levis,” he said. Read the full story here           Did a friend forward you this email? Sign up for News Alerts     Forward News Alerts     You Might Like       Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe  |  Email to a friend  |  Sign Up for Other Newsletters   The Hill 1625 K Street, NW 9th Floor, Washington DC 20006 ©2016 Capitol Hill Publishing Corp., a subsidiary of News Communications, Inc.

Cybersecurity Issuewatch Newsletter

View in your browser     Senators make new push to improve election cybersecurity By Morgan Chalfant and Olivia Beavers The coming week could bring movement on legislation aimed at securing U.S. voting infrastructure from cyber threats. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) said Wednesday that she and Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) are planning to introduce an amendment to a bill reauthorizing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that would help states modernize their election systems. Harris and Lankford are both sponsors of the Secure Elections Act, a bill they introduced in December that would set up a grant program for states to replace outdated paperless voting machines and take other steps to bolster cybersecurity. Harris said at a Senate Homeland Security Committee meeting that the amendment will implement "bipartisan election security measures to modernize election cybersecurity across America and protect against foreign interference on future elections." The lawmakers are hoping to attach the amendment to legislation that would reauthorize Homeland Security for the first time since it was created in the early 2000s. In July, the House passed its version of the bill, which would implement a number of reforms to Homeland Security's operations. Leaders of the Senate Homeland Security Committee are currently working on the upper chamber's version of the bill. The panel is expected to consider the legislation as soon as the coming week. The left-leaning Center for American Progress on Thursday issued a memo to reporters urging Congress to pass election security funding as part of the omnibus appropriations bill lawmakers will take up later this month ahead of a March 23 deadline.     Meanwhile, expect more speculation over where special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian election interference is going next. NBC News reported Thursday that the special counsel is preparing charges against the Russians suspected of being behind the hacks of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the email account of Hillary Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta. Mueller's investigation has picked up steam in recent weeks with his indictment of 13 Russian nationals and 3 Russian groups in an alleged effort to meddle in the election through social media and other tactics. Mueller also cut a recent plea deal with former Trump campaign aide Richard Gates. Gates's cooperation in the probe is expected to put pressure on former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. The Senate Judiciary Committee may also soon release a tranche of transcripts related to the panel's interviews with witnesses of the June 2016 Trump Tower meeting during which Manafort, Jared Kushner, and Donald Trump Jr. met with a Russian lawyer after being offered damaging information on Hillary Clinton. The comings days are also poised to offer a flurry of cyber-related activity in the upper chamber. Lawmakers could soon vote on the nomination of Lt. Gen. Paul Nakasone, President Trump's choice to replace Adm. Mike Rogers at the helm the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command. Nakasone appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee for his confirmation hearing on Thursday, during which he acknowledged that the U.S. has fallen short on deterring adversaries in cyberspace. It is unclear when the Senate panel plans to vote on his nomination. On Tuesday, the Armed Services Committee will hold a hearing on worldwide threats featuring testimony from Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats and Lt. Gen. Robert Ashley, the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. Meanwhile, the House panel with oversight of Homeland Security will meet Wednesday to focus on the department's effort to build its cybersecurity workforce. The hearing will specifically focus on a recent Government Accountability Office report that identified an "urgent" need for Homeland Security to better identify gaps in its cyber workforce. And expect more scrutiny from lawmakers over the massive data breach at Equifax last year. The credit reporting firm on Thursday raised the number of breach victims by 2.4 million.   In case you missed them, here are some of our recent stories: Security firm says Sofacy behind attacks on diplomats in North America, Europe Cyber chief says he hasn't received orders from Trump to disrupt Russian cyberattacks targeting elections Watchdog: Former top VA aide's email was not hacked IBM urges lawmakers to crack down on internet platforms Equifax says consumer bureau still probing hack despite report it eased off Iranian hacking group appears to expand international operations DHS: 'No intelligence' Russia compromised seven states ahead of 2016 election White House issues guidance to agencies on IT modernization Dems press Trump on response to Russian cyber threat State Dept. launches $40M offensive against foreign propaganda PayPal, FTC reach settlement over Venmo deception charges     Join The Hill on Wednesday, March 21, for Leadership in Action: The Hill's Newsmaker Series featuring Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Reps. Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.), and Joe Crowley (D-N.Y.). RSVP Here         Did a friend forward you this email? Sign up for Cybersecurity Newsletters     Forward Cybersecurity Newsletters       Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe  |  Email to a friend  |  Sign Up for Other Newsletters   The Hill 1625 K Street, NW 9th Floor, Washington DC 20006 ©2016 Capitol Hill Publishing Corp., a subsidiary of News Communications, Inc.

The Hill's 12:30 Report: Trump defends new tariffs: 'Trade wars are good, and easy to win' | Ross uses tall boy beer can to tout tariffs | GOP baffled by Trump's gun stances | WH walks back support for universal background checks | Trump attending Billy Graham's funeral | Washingtonian's 100 best restaurants

TALK OF THE MORNING: (Trade) War, what is it good for? Say it again. (Trade) War!: The president doubled down Friday on new tariffs on steel and aluminum. / Credit: Getty   President Trump this morning defended his plan to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, saying "trade wars are good." He tweeted: "When a country (USA) is losing many billions of dollars on trade with virtually every country it does business with, trade wars are good, and easy to win. Example, when we are down $100 billion with a certain country and they get cute, don't trade anymore-we win big. It's easy!" http://bit.ly/2HZI9EO BACK STORY: Defying Republican lawmakers, President Trump yesterday said that he will impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from around the world. What are the tariffs: 25 percent on imported steel and 10 percent on aluminum from all countries that send their metals to the U.S.  When Trump said he would sign the new tariffs: Next week. How Republicans reacted: Not well. http://bit.ly/2FaAL7K OMG YOU GUYS -- WILBUR ROSS IS READY FOR THE WEEKEND: Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross used a Budweiser Tall Boy, a can of Campbell's soup and a can of Coke to make the case Friday for President Trump's plan to impose steep tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. How so: Ross argued that the tariffs will have very little effect on consumer prices. Prices will go up by maybe only fractions of a penny and won't cause any harm, he said. Watch: http://bit.ly/2I0OuzB   Happy Friday -- it's a snowless snow day in the district! (High winds have closed the federal government and some schools.) http://wapo.st/2GZFvh0 I'm Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what's coming up. Send comments, story ideas and events for our radar to cmartel@thehill.com, @CateMartel and on Facebook.     To view the 12:30 Report online --> http://bit.ly/2oEaf09   LATEST WITH THE GUN DEBATE:   Now walk it out (now walk it out) Now walk it out (now walk it out) http://bit.ly/2oC8ssi: Via The Hill's Jordan Fabian, this morning, the White House walked back President Trump's apparent support for universal background checks for gun purchases. How we know: Press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump supports "not necessarily universal background checks, but certainly improving the background check system." She elaborated: "He wants to see what that legislation, the final piece of it looks like. Universal means something different to a lot of people. He certainly wants to focus and improve on the background check system." http://bit.ly/2teA2kq KEEP IN MIND -- REPUBLICANS HADN'T BEEN TAKING TRUMP'S GUN STANCES WELL: Baffled Republicans are distancing themselves from the president on guns. Why: President Trump's recent support for a string of Democratic-backed gun control ideas. http://bit.ly/2FJz0iE TIDBIT: The Maine-based outdoors company L.L. Bean announced it will no longer sell guns or ammunition to anyone under 21 years of age. Keep in mind: The company's flagship store in Freeport, Maine, is its only store licensed to sell firearms. It doesn't sell guns or ammunition online. http://bit.ly/2CUalF0   Oh, you said 'due process'? I thought you said 'do praw-cess.': After meeting with President Trump and Vice President Pence, a top official with the National Rifle Association said they "don't want gun control." He also said: Trump supports "strong due process." Why this is newsy: This came a day after Trump raised eyebrows with his call to "take the guns first, go through due process second." http://bit.ly/2HUEd8d   FROM THE WEST WING:   Just keep digging, just keep digging, just keep digging, digging, digging http://bit.ly/2rWqNDF: Via The Hill's Niall Stanage, Jared Kushner is willing to do battle with chief of staff John Kelly to preserve his position at the center of the White House, more than a half-dozen sources close to the situation tell The Hill. According to a source in Trump's orbit: The president's son-in-law "is digging in. Ivanka has made the decision she is not leaving the building and Jared is not going to leave Ivanka in the building alone." http://bit.ly/2CTKZaF   The White House has lost hope: Via The Hill's Jonathan Easley, the White House has a massive hole to fill as it seeks to replace communications director Hope Hicks, whose departure is seen as a devastating blow to President Trump at a time when his administration is besieged by conflict. Her departure immediately set off jockeying to replace her, although the president's allies say that no one will be able to fill her unique role in Trump World. http://bit.ly/2I0kowi   SO HOW 'BOUT THAT WEATHER:   Today's a day to drink hot chocolate *indoors*: Via CNN, "A nor'easter hammered the East Coast with a ferocious mix of howling winds, drenching rain, some snow and surging waves as it carried the threat of morphing into a 'bomb cyclone.' 'Take this storm seriously!' the National Weather Service in Boston warned via Twitter. 'This is a LIFE & DEATH situation for those living along the coast, especially those ocean-exposed shorelines.' " http://cnn.it/2FMwjgq   Yikessss -- this stresses me out:   Womp.: If you don't understand the reference: The Washington Post's slogan is 'Democracy Dies in Darkness.' http://wapo.st/2oOrnjc   Another effect of the weather:   Who wants to tell him...?:   NOTABLE TWEETS Haha I needed this. THANK YOU, Glasgow:   ON TAP: Congress is out. 4:05 p.m. EST: President Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. 6:30 p.m. EST: President Trump hosts a roundtable with Republican National Committee supporters. 7:30 p.m. EST: President Trump speaks at the Republican National Committee spring donor retreat dinner at Mar-a-Lago. Next week: President Trump will impose new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. http://bit.ly/2FaAL7K If you’re curious about the pros and cons: The Coalition for a Prosperous America’s Michael Stumo makes the case for the tariffs; CATO Institute’s Colin Grabow argues against them.  March 11: O.J. Simpson's controversial interview titled, "If I Did It" will air. Keep in mind: This is airing 12 (!) years after it was taped. "The TV special was canceled and, reportedly, the interview tapes were lost -- until now." Watch the trailer: http://bravo.ly/2tauuqN    WHAT TO WATCH Noon: President Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend Reverend Billy Graham's funeral. Livestream of the funeral: http://cs.pn/2FiFs2v   NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF... Today is National Banana Cream Day.   So. Many. Options.: Washingtonian released its list of the 100 best restaurants in the D.C. area. The list -- you can sort it by category: http://bit.ly/2F8Jffg More of the best: Here are other categories in Washingtonian's "best of" lists including best doctors, wedding vendors, lawyers, luxury rentals, etc. http://bit.ly/2oCwm75   And to get your weekend off on the right food, meet Baxter the puppy. Baxter really knows how to dress for the occasion: http://bit.ly/2t5nH1y To view past editions of The Hill's 12:30 Report, CLICK HERE. To receive The Hill's 12:30 Report in your inbox, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE. Sign Up for 12:30 Report FORWARD 12:30 Report Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe Email to a friend  |  Sign Up for Other Newsletters The Hill 1625 K Street, NW 9th Floor, Washington DC 20006 ©2018 Capitol Hill Publishing Corp., a subsidiary of News Communications, Inc.