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Trump's tariffs list is missing one big country: Russia

President Trump unveiled tariffs of at least 10% Wednesday on virtually the entire world, with one notable exception: Russia.

The intrigue: Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Axios Wednesday that Russia was left off because U.S. sanctions already "preclude any meaningful trade." However, the U.S. still trades more with Russia than with countries like Mauritius or Brunei that did make Trump's tariffs list.


  • Even remote island territories like Tokelau (pop. 1,500) in the South Pacific and Svalbard (pop. 2,500) in the Arctic Circle β€” territories of New Zealand and Norway, respectively β€”were listed for tariffs.
  • However, Leavitt noted that Cuba, Belarus and North Korea were also not included because existing tariffs and sanctions on them are already so high.

Breaking it down: The value of U.S.-Russia trade plummeted from around $35 billion in 2021 to $3.5 billion as of last year due to sanctions imposed over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

  • Russia has asked Trump to lift some of those sanctions as part of the U.S.-mediated ceasefire talks, which have largely stalled.
  • Trump threatened Russia with secondary tariffs on oil earlier this week. He also said he was "pissed off" at Russian leader Vladimir Putin over his recent comments about Ukraine.
  • Leavitt noted that Russia could still face "additional strong sanctions."

Worth noting: The other two major economies excluded from Trump's otherwise exhaustive list were Canada and Mexico. Leavitt confirmed that was because Trump already imposed 25% tariffs on both.

Go deeper: Putin's envoy to visit Washington for talks on Ukraine

Meghan Markle silences critics after As Ever sells out in an hour

Meghan Markle in September 2023.
Meghan Markle in September 2023.

Rolf Vennenbernd/picture alliance via Getty Images

  • Meghan Markle's first As Ever collection sold out within an hour of its launch.
  • The Duchess of Sussex's show "With Love, Meghan" was also a hit when it was released in March.
  • Despite vocal criticism, Meghan's pivot to lifestyle is off to a good start.

Meghan Markle just dropped her first lifestyle collection β€” and it's already sold out.

After months of anticipation, the Duchess of Sussex's lifestyle venture As Ever officially launched on Wednesday. The brand's entire collection sold out within an hour of it dropping online.

As Ever's triumphant launch follows the successful debut of the duchess' Netflix series "With Love, Meghan," which was a hit with viewers despite widespread criticism from the media and some fans who called the show boring and out of touch.

Despite that, Meghan is proving her bet on her lifestyle career was worth taking.

Entering the lifestyle space

Both "With Love, Meghan" and As Ever were met with plenty of criticism. Outlets published dozens of negative articles about the series when it was released, lamenting its lack of relatability for the average viewer and criticizing Meghan's hosting tips as unnecessary.

However, that criticism seemed detached from the show's successful reality. "With Love, Meghan" hit Netflix's top 10 list the week it premiered and amassed over 2.6 million views, according toΒ The New York Times. Netflix also already announced thatΒ season two of the show will premiere in the fall of 2025.

Meghan Markle smiles in a kitchen.
Meghan Markle on "With Love, Meghan."

Netflix

As Ever is on a similar path. When it was first announced, naysayers questioned Meghan's product line, saying items like flower petal sprinkles were gratuitous or assuming she would overcharge for her products. Others questioned whether Meghan had a clear vision for the brand since she changed its name from American Riviera Orchard to As Ever, despite the swap being largely due to a trademark issue.

Lo and behold, it seems the Duchess of Sussex β€” and Netflix, her business partner in the brand β€” did have a clear vision for As Ever. As Ever blends the type of California luxury you might associate with Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop or Martha Stewart with royal elegance, creating a glossy feel that clearly appeals to buyers.

Stacy Jones, the founder and CEO of Hollywood Branded, told Business Insider Meghan and Netflix are creating a brand that seemingly reflects the duchess herself.

"She's not an A-list actress. She's an A-list personality," Jones said.

"She's really pushed herself back into that influencer side of it versus that celebrity side of it where her brand requires content to be created around her, either by her or by someone else," she added. "That's what Netflix is doing."

A sold-out collection

As Ever's first collection featured items that cost $12 to $15 β€” aside from a $28 limited-edition honey β€” and they sold out within an hour of its launch. The honey was gone in just five minutes.

Thanks to standard shipping, it will be a few days before people get to try the products they ordered. And although it's unclear how much merchandise was available to begin with, the launch itself was a win for Meghan.

Jones said the gap between the vocal criticism of Meghan's lifestyle ventures and their real-life success isn't surprising.

"People like to be able to complain and be really, really loud about that," she said. "The haters are gonna hate, but she has a fan base."

A jar of honey on a cutting board with a biscuit, butter, and a knife.
Meghan Markle's first As Ever collection immediately sold out.

As Ever

Meghan has meticulously built up her base over the past decade. Many of them started out as fans of her blog, The Tig, which she ran from 2014 to 2017. They loved her recipes and hosting tips before she ever knew Prince Harry.

"She had a consumer base who are probably still fans of hers," Jones said. "There's not been a big step away from where she was before, back in the days of actresshood and 'Suits,' but she's bringing in a new level of branding."

Jones also said that Meghan's fan base has proved fiercely loyal, sticking with her through her royal controversies. That makes them a huge asset for the duchess, which she seems aware of. As she shared on Instagram, Meghan reconnected with her "OG Tig girls" ahead of As Ever's launch.

Meghan is finding a sweet spot in the lifestyle world because it blends her passions and the glamour of royal life. She's finding a way to share that with the world, and the proof is in the pudding (or rather, the jam).

Read the original article on Business Insider
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