Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 193

Trump’s 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports go into effect

By JOSH BOAK and PAUL WISEMAN, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump officially increased tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports to 25% on Wednesday, promising that the taxes would help create U.S. factory jobs at a time when his seesawing tariff threats are jolting the stock market and raising fears of an economic slowdown.

Trump removed all exemptions from his 2018 tariffs on the metals, in addition to increasing the tariffs on aluminum from 10%. His moves, based off a February directive, are part of a broader effort to disrupt and transform global commerce. The U.S. president has separate tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China, with plans to also tax imports from the European Union, Brazil and South Korea by charging “reciprocal” rates starting on April 2.

The EU announced its own countermeasures on Wednesday. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that as the United States was “applying tariffs worth 28 billion dollars, we are responding with countermeasures worth 26 billion euros,” or about $28 billion. Those measures, which cover not just steel and aluminum products, but also textiles, home appliances and agricultural goods, are due to take effect on April 1.

Trump told CEOs in the Business Roundtable on Tuesday that the tariffs were causing companies to invest in U.S. factories. The 8% drop in the S&P 500 stock index over the past month on fears of deteriorating growth appears unlikely to dissuade him, as Trump argued that higher tariff rates would be more effective at bringing back factories.

“The higher it goes, the more likely it is they’re going to build,” Trump told the group. “The biggest win is if they move into our country and produce jobs. That’s a bigger win than the tariffs themselves, but the tariffs are going to be throwing off a lot of money to this country.”

Trump on Tuesday threatened to put tariffs of 50% on steel and aluminum from Canada, but he chose to stay with the 25% rate after the province of Ontario suspended plans to put a surcharge on electricity sold to Michigan, Minnesota and New York.

In many ways, the president is addressing what he perceives as unfinished business from his first term. Trump meaningfully increased tariffs, but the revenues collected by the federal government were too small to significantly increase overall inflationary pressures.

Trump’s 2018 tariffs on steel and aluminum were eroded by exemptions.

After Canada and Mexico agreed to his demand for a revamped North American trade deal in 2020, they avoided the import taxes on the metals. Other U.S. trading partners had import quotas supplant the tariffs. And the first Trump administration also allowed U.S. companies to request exemptions from the tariffs if, for instance, they couldn’t find the steel they needed from domestic producers.

While Trump’s tariffs could help steel and aluminum plants in the United States, they could raise prices for the manufacturers that use the metals as raw materials.

Moreover, economists have found, the gains to the steel and aluminum industries were more than offset by the cost they imposed on “downstream’’ manufacturers that use their products.

At these downstream companies, production fell by nearly $3.5 billion because of the tariffs in 2021, a loss that exceeded the $2.3 billion uptick in production that year by aluminum producers and steelmakers, the U.S. International Trade Commission found in 2023.

Trump sees the tariffs as leading to more domestic factories, and the White House has noted that Volvo, Volkswagen and Honda are all exploring an increase to their U.S. footprint. But the prospect of higher prices, fewer sales and lower profits might cause some companies to refrain from investing in new facilities.

“If you’re an executive in the boardroom, are you really going to tell your board it’s the time to expand that assembly line?” said John Murphy, senior vice president at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The top steel exporters to the U.S. are Canada, Mexico, Brazil, South Korea and Japan, with exports from Taiwan and Vietnam growing at a fast pace, according to the International Trade Administration. Imports from China, the world’s largest steel producer, account for only a small fraction of what the U.S. buys.

The lion’s share of U.S. aluminum imports comes from Canada.

The EU retaliates against Trump’s trade moves and slaps tariffs on produce from Republican states

By LORNE COOK and DAVID McHUGH, Associated Press

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union on Wednesday announced retaliatory trade action with new duties on U.S. industrial and farm products, responding within hours to the Trump administration’s increase in tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports to 25%.

The world’s biggest trading bloc was expecting the U.S. tariffs and prepared in advance, but the measures still place great strain on already tense transatlantic relations. Only last month, Washington warned Europe that it would have to take care of its own security in the future.

The EU measures will cover goods from the United States worth some 26 billion euros ($28 billion), and not just steel and aluminum products, but also textiles, home appliances and agricultural goods. Motorcycles, bourbon, peanut butter and jeans will be hit, as they were during President Donald Trump’s first term.

The EU duties aim for pressure points in the U.S. while minimizing additional damage to Europe. The tariffs — taxes on imports — primarily target Republican-held states, hitting soybeans in House speaker Mike Johnson’s Louisiana, but also beef and poultry in Kansas and Nebraska. Produce in Alabama, Georgia and Virginia is also on the list.

The EU moves to protect itself

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement that the bloc “will always remain open to negotiation.”

“As the U.S. are applying tariffs worth 28 billion dollars, we are responding with countermeasures worth 26 billion euros,” she said. The commission manages trade and commercial conflicts on behalf of the 27 member EU countries.

FILE – Steel on coil cars ahead of transport at the main factory of struggling steel producer thyssenkrupp in Duisburg, Germany, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)

“We firmly believe that in a world fraught with geopolitical and economic uncertainties, it is not in our common interest to burden our economies with tariffs,” von der Leyen said.

The commission also said that steel and aluminum products would be hit in return, but also textiles, leather goods, home appliances, household tools, plastics and wood. Agricultural products will also be impacted — including poultry, beef, some seafood, nuts, eggs, sugar and vegetables.

Trump said his taxes would help create U.S. factory jobs, but von der Leyen said: “Jobs are at stake. Prices will go up. In Europe and in the United States.”

“We deeply regret this measure. Tariffs are taxes. They are bad for business, and even worse for consumers. These tariffs are disrupting supply chains. They bring uncertainty for the economy,” she said.

American business group urges talks

The American Chamber of Commerce to the EU said the U.S. tariffs and EU countermeasures “will only harm jobs, prosperity and security on both sides of the Atlantic.”

“The two sides must de-escalate and find a negotiated outcome urgently,” the chamber said Wednesday.

What will actually happen?

Trump slapped similar tariffs on EU steel and aluminum during his first term in office, which enraged European and other allies. The EU also imposed countermeasures in retaliation at the time, raising tariffs on U.S.-made motorcycles, bourbon, peanut butter and jeans, among other items.

An employee pours a glass of The Bard’s product in what will be a new production area at The Bard Distillery in Graham, Ky., Sunday, March 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)

This time, the EU action will involve two steps. First, on April 1, the commission will reintroduce what it calls “rebalancing measures,” which the EU had from 2018 and 2020 but which were suspended under the Biden administration. Then on April 13 come the additional duties targeting $19.6 billion in U.S. exports to the bloc.

EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič traveled to Washington last month in an effort to head off the tariffs, meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and other top trade officials.

He said on Wednesday that it became clear during the trip “that the EU is not the problem.”

“I argued to avoid the unnecessary burden of measures and countermeasures, but you need a partner for that. You need both hands to clap,” Šefčovič told reporters at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.

European steel companies brace for losses

The EU could lose up to 3.7 million tons of steel exports, according to the European steel association Eurofer. The U.S. is the second biggest export market for EU steel producers, representing 16% of the total EU steel exports.

The EU estimates that annual trade volume between both sides stands at about $1.5 trillion, representing some 30% of global trade. While the bloc has a substantial export surplus in goods, it says that is partly offset by the U.S. surplus in the trade of services.

Britain, which isn’t part of the EU, meanwhile said it won’t impose retaliatory measures of its own on the U.S. British Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said Wednesday he would “continue to engage closely and productively with the U.S. to press the case for U.K. business interests.”

He did not rule out future tariffs on U.S. imports, saying “we will keep all options on the table and won’t hesitate to respond in the national interest.”

McHugh reported from Frankfurt. Associated Press writer Jill Lawless in London contributed to this report.

Best cordless vacuum

Which cordless vacuum is best?

If the prospect of unfurling your vacuum cleaner’s power cord, switching between outlets as you move around the house, then coiling the cord back up again makes you not want to clean, a cordless vacuum is the right choice for you.

Streamlining the vacuuming process, they’re perfect for anyone who’s reluctant about chores. The Samsung Jet 90 Cordless Vacuum is a great choice with plenty of suction power.

This article was reviewed and approved by Ketia Daniel, the BestReviews Cleaning Expert.

What to know before you buy a cordless vacuumBattery life

Battery life is a major concern for most people buying a cordless vacuum for the first time. Cheap, basic vacuums can have maximum run times of as little as 15-20 minutes, while high-end versions can last up to 60 minutes on a single charge.

Consider how big your home is and how long it takes you to thoroughly vacuum the whole thing. Ideally, the battery should last long enough to clean all your floors, otherwise, it can be frustrating.

It’s worth noting that the maximum battery life is usually calculated in standard mode. If you use boost or high-power modes or motorized attachments, the battery will deplete more quickly.

Filter

HEPA filters are the gold standard, trapping more than 99.9% of minute particles within a given size range, including common allergens, such as pollen and pet dander. If anyone in your house has environmental allergies, it pays to buy a vacuum with a HEPA filter. Cordless vacuums on the more affordable end of the price spectrum are unlikely to have HEPA filters, but their filtration system should still do a good job of trapping dust and finer particles.

Always check how to clean and when to replace filters, if necessary, to keep your vacuum cleaner running smoothly.

Handheld option

Most cordless vacuums let you remove the top part of the vacuum from the stick and cleaning head to use it in handheld mode. This is great for vacuuming stairs, couches and other soft furnishings, sucking crumbs off counters and cleaning right into the corners of stairs. It saves you from buying a separate hand vac and makes spot cleaning a breeze.

What to look for in a quality cordless vacuumRemovable battery

When you can remove the battery from the body of the vacuum, it lets you switch out the main battery with a spare. This is great when you have a large home that you can’t clean from top to bottom on a single charge.

Power boost

The power boost mode temporarily increases suction power to target areas that need deeper cleaning.

Antitangle brushroll

If you have long hair or long-coated pets, you’ll know the pain of detangling hair from a brushroll. Some vacuums have antitangle brushrolls that hair doesn’t wrap around, leaving you with one less thing to worry about.

How much you can expect to spend on a cordless vacuum

You can find basic cordless vacuums starting at around $100-$200, while top-end versions can cost as much as $700-$800. While price isn’t everything, you generally get what you pay for, so you can’t expect a $200 vacuum to perform as well as a $600 one.

Cordless vacuum FAQAre cordless vacuums as powerful as corded models?

A. The simple answer to this is no, usually not. If you compare a cordless vacuum cleaner with a corded version of a similar quality or price point, the corded model will generally have better suction power. However, most people vacuum more regularly when they have cordless vacuums because the process is more painless, which makes up for the slightly lower suction power. What’s more, top manufacturers, such as Shark and Dyson, are starting to bridge the gap in suction power between their high-end cordless and corded models.

How long should I expect my cordless vacuum to last?

A. This is hard to answer as it depends on a wide range of factors, including sheer luck. On average, you can expect a cordless vacuum to last at least five years before the battery or another important part needs replacing. It’s possible to have broken vacuums repaired and it’s extremely straightforward to replace the battery if your vacuum has a removable battery anyway — just switch it out with a spare.

What’s the best cordless vacuum to buy?Top cordless vacuum

Samsung Jet 90 Cordless Vacuum

What you need to know: Powerful and versatile, it works just as well on carpets as it does on hard floors.

What you’ll love: The 60-minute battery life is enough to vacuum almost any home, but the battery is removable in case you need to charge a spare and switch partway through. The turbo action brush combined with excellent suction cleans all kinds of flooring well.

What you should consider: The battery lasts significantly less time than 60 minutes on high-power mode.

Top cordless vacuum for the money

Eureka RapidClean Pro Cordless Vacuum

What you need to know: This decent midrange cordless vacuum provides up to 40 minutes of fade-free cleaning.

What you’ll love: It’s extremely lightweight and easy to maneuver, even laying flat so it can reach further under furniture. The rest nook makes it easier to lean it against furniture when you need to take a break from vacuuming.

What you should consider: The suction could be better and can get clogged easily.

Worth checking out

Shark IZ363HT Anti-Allergen Pet Power Cordless Vacuum

What you need to know: With excellent suction power and a tangle-free brushroll, this is an ideal vacuum for homes with pets.

What you’ll love: The HEPA filter with complete seal captures and traps dust, dander and other allergens. It has a battery life of around 50 minutes on standard power setting, and its boost mode gives you extra suction power to tackle tough areas.

What you should consider: Tall users may find it a little short for comfortable vacuuming.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

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Best BLACK+DECKER steam iron

Which BLACK + DECKER steam irons are best?

There’s simply no better look than freshly ironed, wrinkle-free clothing. Whether you’re on the way to a job interview, party or want to be the best dressed at the office, a good steam iron is irreplaceable. With the BLACK+DECKER brand, you can rest assured that any steam iron will get the job done right.

The best steam iron they offer is the BLACK+DECKER Allure Professional Steam Iron. This option is durable and has independent steam and temperature controls.

What to know before you buy a BLACK+DECKER steam ironCorded vs. cordless steam irons

Corded: Corded steam irons plug into a wall outlet. They get hotter and stay hot much better than cordless options, giving them a more consistent ironing.

Cordless: Cordless models can be used anywhere and run on a rechargeable battery. They are more maneuverable as well, thanks to not having a cord poking out of them.

Wattage

The wattage of your steam iron determines how quickly it can heat up and the maximum temperature it can reach. Higher wattages are also better for thicker fabrics. BLACK+DECKER steam irons are typically available in models between 1,200-1,700 watts.

Soleplate

The soleplate is the flat bottom end of the steam iron that contacts your fabrics. BLACK+DECKER offers steam irons with ceramic, stainless steel, aluminum and other nonstick material soleplates. Stainless steel and ceramic cost more but glide far easier and tend to be more durable than aluminum or other nonstick soleplates.

What to look for in a quality BLACK+DECKER steam ironVertical steam

Certain models of BLACK+DECKER steam irons have a vertical steam feature that turns your iron into a steamer by allowing you to hold it several inches away from the fabric to release wrinkles. It’s perfect for delicate materials or hanging objects, like curtains.

Auto-cleaning system

Another excellent feature in some BLACK+DECKER steam irons is the auto-clean system. This system automatically removes the mineral deposits and dirt that can build up inside your steam iron, though it isn’t as effective in areas with harder water.

How much you can expect to spend on a BLACK+DECKER steam iron

A basic steam iron will only cost around $15-$30, with excellent midrange options opening up between $30-$45. The best options are available between $45-$60.

BLACK+DECKER steam iron FAQIs there a particular type of water I should use with a steam iron?

A. Generally speaking, it’s perfectly fine to use your run-of-the-mill tap water with a steam iron. That said, make sure to double-check the manufacturer’s instructions to be safe. Some models might be more sensitive to particles in the water, especially if the tap water in your area is much harder than most. To be safe, you can always stick to using distilled water.

What is the best way to clean the soleplate on my steam iron?

A. First of all, make doubly sure that the steam iron is unplugged and completely cool to the touch. Once this is ensured, use a nonabrasive cloth soaked in a mixture of water and mild dish soap to gently wipe the soleplate clean. Use a second cloth with only water to rinse. Finally, dry your steam iron with a third cloth. Never use sponges, brushes or any other abrasive cleaner, as you could damage the soleplate.

What’s the best BLACK+DECKER steam iron to buy?Top BLACK+DECKER steam iron

BLACK+DECKER Allure Professional Steam Iron

What you need to know: If you need a durable and top-tier steam iron, then look no further than the Allure.

What you’ll love: Auto shut-off and auto-clean help make cleaning easy and lower the risk of any accidents occurring.

What you should consider: It’s very difficult to see into the reservoir to see how much water is actually inside it.

Top BLACK+DECKER steam iron for the money

BLACK+DECKER Easy Steam Compact Iron

What you need to know: An excellent, affordable option, this model gets the job done well and has a few extra features for good measure.

What you’ll love: A nonstick soleplate moves easily over fabrics, and the antidrip plus Smart Steam makes regulating the amount of water a dream.

What you should consider: There’s no on or off button. You have to either unplug the steam iron or allow the auto-shutoff to trigger.

Worth checking out

BLACK+DECKER Vitessa Advanced Steam Iron

What you need to know: A wonderfully convenient and very evenly heated and steamed option that looks incredibly sleek.

What you’ll love: This steam iron can be used both vertically and horizontally. Plus, it has a retractable cord for easy storage.

What you should consider: The water reservoir can be surprisingly difficult to both open and fill.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

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Horoscopes March 12, 2025: Jaimie Alexander, set your sights high and aspire to go beyond your dreams

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Jaimie Alexander, 41; Aaron Eckhart, 57; Courtney B. Vance, 65; Liza Minnelli, 79.

Happy Birthday: Enthusiasm and desire for change will help you let go of the past and begin a new chapter. Life experience is precious, and if you rely on lessons learned, you will discover you have more to offer than you realize. Refuse to let temptation, insecurities and challenges stand between you and what you can achieve. Set your sights high and aspire to go above and beyond your dreams. Your numbers are 5, 18, 23, 26, 33, 35, 42.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Knowing your strengths and weaknesses will help you make the right choices today. Mediate cost, time and effort to ensure you thwart excess before it spawns into something you cannot handle. A give-and-take situation with people you can barter with will pay off. Use your intelligence, attributes and skills to get ahead. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Take care of domestic issues and update anything that’s pending regarding your home, finances or health. A proactive approach will help you avoid penalties or maintenance expenses. Catching up with a relative or an old friend will get you up to speed regarding sensitive situations. 5 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Offer your time and input but not your cash. Paying for someone else’s mistake will lead to similar situations. Invest more money in personal gain, adding skills and doing your best to raise your status, qualifications and opportunities to adapt to the changing job market. Prepare, upgrade and move forward fearlessly. 2 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): A creative approach to work and how you present what you can offer will spark interest. A high-energy attitude and a bold presentation will outshine anyone trying to undermine you. Trust and believe in your ability, and those you want to impress will follow suit. Look out for your health and cash flow. 4 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): A learning experience will turn into something tangible. Get involved in something you feel passionate about, and you’ll feel the excitement of making a difference. Your contribution will not go unnoticed if you parlay what you do into a potential opportunity to turn something you care about into a lucrative endeavor. Romance is brewing. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Take a trip down memory lane, attend a reunion or visit some of your old hangouts. The process of looking back will help you make better choices moving forward and give you the courage to make your dreams come true. Don’t sit idly by when you should be making things happen. Embrace change. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): It’s time to broaden your outlook, circle of friends or qualifications. The less time you spend worrying and fretting, the better it will be for you. Focus on the present and the future, and let the past go. Put your energy into making your life and home environment conducive to success and happiness. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Stimulate your mind and engage in talks and exercises that help you project a positive vision of personal evolution. Attitude is everything when you want to make a point or get others to join your team. Plan a trip that encourages a healthy lifestyle and long-term plans, and you will ensure personal growth and happiness. 4 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Bypass negativity and those trying to manipulate you to engage in indulgent behavior or lead you down a path that promotes uncertainty. Look for opportunities to create and promote what you enjoy doing most, and rethink joint ventures or lifestyles dependent on shared expenses. Personal improvement and self-love are favored. 2 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Take nothing for granted; oversee whatever you want done to your expectations, and you won’t be disappointed. High energy, insight and experience will put you in your own league. Don’t be afraid to step into the spotlight and show everyone your skills. Protect against negativity and angry people. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Master what you want to develop, and put your talents to work. An opportunity to bring in extra cash is tangible if you are willing to put in the time and effort. Attend functions that offer insight into how people with similar skills manage, and learn from their successes and failures. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Take the plunge and participate in something challenging. Use your resources, dedication, innovative ideas and raw energy, and they will carry you to victory. Strive for positive change, and you will exceed your expectations. Be brave and bold in your approach; the results will be bountiful. Trust your instincts. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are clever, hardworking and tactical. You are curious and gallant.

1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes.

2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others.

3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals.

4 stars: Aim high; start new projects.

5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

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SF Giants’ Verlander remains sharp, Ramos sees time at leadoff

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Giants couldn’t say for certain what they were getting when they signed Justin Verlander. He, yes, still had the passion. He was also fresh off the worst season of his career and turning 42-years-old.

The Giants, still, cannot say for certain what they are getting with Justin Verlander. Not until he pitches in a real game with real stakes. But over the last month, Verlander continues to provide grounds for optimism.

Verlander turned in his longest outing of Cactus League play as the Giants beat the A’s, 5-3, on Tuesday evening at Scottsdale Stadium, allowing one earned run on a solo homer over five innings with four strikeouts. Between his three Cactus League starts and his Papago Park outing, Verlander owns 3.21 ERA with 13 strikeouts to three walks over 14 innings. Spring training is spring training, but Verlander’s tank looks nothing close to empty.

“Last year, it was tough with the injuries. Then, we saw some video of his bullpens this year and it’s looked really good,” said manager Bob Melvin. Since he’s been to camp, whether it’s bullpens or games, right now, it looks like a really good signing for us.”

For Verlander, his ability to strikeout batters this spring has been one of his most encouraging trends, a development that’s been due in part to him re-gaining some ticks on his fastball. Last season, Verlander struck out 7.4 batters per nine innings, his lowest mark since 2015 (7.6 K/9). Verlander’s strikeout numbers were fine prior to going on the injured list with neck discomfort (8.1 K/9) but plummeted upon returning (6.2 K/9).

“It’s real similar to the look he’s had for a very long time,” Melvin said. “He’s not throwing 100 (mph), but his breaking balls are sharp, he’s got a changeup, he’s got a curveball, he’s got different pitches. He looks like the guy that we’ve seen before in the past.”

The one blip on Verlander’s line this spring are the homers. Including his Papago Park performance, Verlander is up to three this spring after allowing a solo shot to the A’s Zack Gelof. Verlander’s home run rate will be worth monitoring after he allowed a career-worst 1.49 home runs per nine innings last season, but in less than a month, Verlander will trade in the dry Arizona sky for cold San Francisco nights.

Ramos sees more time in leadoff spot

Heliot Ramos batted leadoff for the second time this spring, slotted in at the top of the order as the Giants faced left-hander Jeffrey Springs. Ramos feasts of left-handed pitching, owning a career .956 OPS over 123 plate appearances. Last season, Ramos had a .370/.439/.750 slash line against left-handed pitching, his 1.189 OPS against lefties being second to only Aaron Judge (1.240).

“You look at his numbers last year, it’s pretty significant,” Melvin said. “We’re just trying to maximize his at-bats against lefties. We’ll see where it goes, but right now, I like it.”

As good as Ramos has been against lefties, the 25-year-old has struggled against right-handers. Over 413 plate appearances, Ramos has a .234/.281/.375 slash line against right-handers.

“For a time there, he was pretty good against righties, too. It kind of fell off there at the end,” Melvin said. “It’s just about staying off the heater at the top of the zone and chasing the slider away. It’s easier said than done. You’re going to get a better look at it from the other side of the plate with the lefties, but he’s done some damage against righties, too.”

Giants make latest round of cuts

The Giants announced their latest round of cuts prior to Tuesday’s game against the A’s, reassigning infielder Sergio Alcántara, catcher Adrián Sugastey, right-hander Justin Garza and left-handers Antonio Jimenez and Helcris Olivárez.

With Jimenez and Olivárez no longer in camp, Joey Lucchesi and Enny Romero are the only left-handed non-roster invitees remaining. Lucchesi, 31, and Romero, 34, are both competing to be the second lefty in the Giants’ bullpen alongside incumbent Erik Miller. Most bullpen typically carry two left-handers, but San Francisco is willing to open the season with Miller as the only lefty in their ‘pen.

Worth noting

Kyle Harrison, who’s in the running for the fifth spot in the rotation, said that he lost roughly 10-15 pounds as a result of being sick right before the start of spring training.Matt Chapman continued his white hot spring, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Through nine games, Chapman is hitting .550/.654/1.150 with four homers and 11 RBIs.

Warriors expecting Jonathan Kuminga to return Thursday vs. Kings

After missing over two months with a severely sprained ankle, Jonathan Kuminga is expected to return to the court on Thursday against Sacramento, head coach Steve Kerr confirmed on his 95.7 The Game radio hit.

“Assuming he doesn’t have any setbacks in the next couple of days, he should be back,” Kerr said.

The news was first reported by The Athletic.

Kuminga, 22, is averaging a career-high 16.8 points and five rebounds per game this season. He suffered a Grade 3 ankle sprain on Jan. 4 and has the missed 31 consecutive games since. He has been participating in full-contact scrimmages over the past couple weeks, ramping up in what has been a long, difficult recovery process.

The Warriors plan to bring Kuminga off the bench and ease him into a rotation that is now humming with Jimmy Butler, the six-time All-Star  acquired at the trade deadline while Kuminga was sidelined. Golden State is 12-1 with Butler in the lineup, surging from outside the play-in to the sixth seed.

Kerr has said that Butler is “the perfect guy for JK to emulate” because of his decision-making chops and ability to draw fouls. Multiple players, including the former Heat star, has expressed excitement about bringing Kuminga back into the fold.

“I think it’s going to be easy,” Butler said. “Hella athletic. Can shoot it, can score in a multitude in a multiple ways. And can guard. Can definitely guard. So I think he’s going to come back and do what he’s doing. My job is to just make it easier on him. So, come on back and help us get some dubs.”

Reintegrating Kuminga back into the lineup projects to be the most interesting — and possibly delicate — dynamic for the Warriors’ last 17 games. Kuminga was thriving in a featured role before his injury, consistently playing upwards of 30 minutes and often having the ball in his hands as a playmaker. He racked up double-digit points in 17 straight games — including three 30-point games — while making a consistent impact defensively and on the boards.

Kerr has repeatedly called the run-up to Kuminga’s ankle sprain the best stretch of his NBA career. Now, he’ll have to acclimate himself into a different environment. Kerr has said he has had multiple conversations with the fourth-year wing recently about what he expects from him.

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“We’re going to run through Jimmy Butler, and we’re going to run through Steph Curry,” Kerr said on 95.7 The Game. “So what that requires of JK is to be settling into a role to support those guys and that’s slightly different and that’s just something that he has to adapt to.”

As impressive as the Warriors have been since the All-Star break, they’ll need the best version of Kuminga to impact winning in order to vault into true title contention with Oklahoma City, Boston and Cleveland.

One possible complicating factor is Kuminga’s contract status; because he and the team failed to reach an agreement on a contract extension before the season began, he’s set to become a restricted free agent this summer. That means the Warriors will have the ability to match any offer sheet he may receive or — the more unlikely option — let him walk.

“The main thing I want for JK is to not press when he comes back,” Kerr said this month. “It’s not an easy spot to come back into where team’s rolling, contract stuff this summer. He’s going to have a lot on his mind. I want to make things as smooth and easy as possible. I want him to understand that it’s not going to happen right away. He was playing the best basketball of his career before the injury, and it’s not going to happen the first night where he’s going to get back to that level. It will take a little time.”

US factories likely to feel the pain from Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs

By PAUL WISEMAN and JOSH BOAK

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is once again lashing out at three of his biggest irritants: foreign steel, foreign aluminum and Canada.

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Trump on Wednesday will effectively plaster 25% taxes – tariffs – on all steel and aluminum imports. And on Tuesday the president said the U.S. would double the forthcoming levy on the two metals to 50% if they come from Canada — only for the White House to pull back its threat by the afternoon after the province of Ontario suspended its own retaliatory plans.

The pain won’t just be felt by foreign steel and aluminum plants. The tariffs will likely drive up costs for American companies that use the metals, such as automakers, construction firms and beverage makers that use cans. The threats to the economy have rattled stock markets.

“Unilateral tariffs will raise prices, cost American jobs, and strain alliances,” Philip Luck and Evan Brown of the Center for Strategic and International Studies wrote in a report last month.

Trump is pressing tariffs from his first term

The latest tariffs are an amped-up replay from Trump’s first term.

In 2018, in an effort to protect American steelmakers from foreign competition, he imposed tariffs of 25% on foreign steel and 10% on aluminum, using a 1962 trade law to declare them a threat to U.S. national security.

The tariffs landed most heavily on American allies: Canada is the No. 1 supplier of foreign steel and accounts for more than half of aluminum exports to the United States. Mexico, Japan and South Korea are also major steel exporters to the U.S.

The president insists that steel imports are a threat to the very existence of the United States. “If we don’t have, as an example, steel, and lots of other things, we don’t have a military and frankly we won’t have — we just won’t have a country very long,” Trump said last week in his joint address to Congress.

His 2018 sanctions were gradually watered down.

Trump spared Canada and Mexico after they agreed to his demand for a revamped North American trade deal in 2020. For some U.S. trading partners, the tariffs were supplanted by import quotas. And the first Trump administration also allowed American companies to request exemptions from the tariffs if, for instance, they couldn’t find the steel they needed from domestic U.S. producers.

This time, Trump is closing those loopholes and raising the levy on aluminum to 25%.

He’s shown a willingness to go higher — as the apparently short-lived 50% tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum suggest.

Trump was originally punching back at the government of Ontario for imposing a 25% surcharge on electricity sold to the United States, a move that was itself a response to Trump’s tariff threats. After Trump said he’d hit the Canadians with a 50% metals tax, Ontario suspended its planned electricity surcharge. In response, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said the U.S. would pull back on doubling the tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum.

Expecting more of the same

Trump’s first-term steel and aluminum tariffs benefited American producers of the two metals, encouraging them to increase production. But the beneficiaries were relatively few: The U.S. steel industry, for instance, employs fewer than 150,000 people. Walmart alone has 1.6 million employees in the United States.

Moreover, economists have found, the gains to the steel and aluminum industries were more than offset by the cost they imposed on “downstream’’ manufacturers that use steel and aluminum. In 2021, production at such companies dropped by nearly $3.5 billion because of the tariffs, canceling out the $2.3 billion uptick in production that year by aluminum producers and steelmakers, the U.S. International Trade Commission found in 2023.

This time, “there is no particular reason to think that the economics won’t be more of the same: small gains for the U.S. steel and aluminum producers and employees, but larger overall losses for the rest of U..S manufacturing,’’ said Christine McDaniel, research fellow at George Mason University’s Mercatus Center.

Taken by themselves, the metals tariffs are unlikely to do much damage to the nearly $30 trillion U.S. economy. “Steel and aluminum – they’re just a drop in the ocean,’’ said Satyam Panday, chief U.S. and Canada economist at S&P Global Ratings.

But Trump isn’t just hitting steel and aluminum. He’s slapped 20% tariffs on all Chinese imports. He’s set to hammer all Canadian and Mexican products with 25% taxes next month, while limiting the tariff on Canadian energy to 10% – moves he has twice postponed with 30-day reprieves. And he has an ambitious and complicated plan to impose “reciprocal tariffs,’’ raising U.S. import taxes to match those of countries that impose higher levies on American products.

The scope and unpredictability of Trump’s tariff agenda threatens to rekindle inflation and to slow growth by discouraging companies from making investments until the trade tensions have eased. “If you’re an executive in the board room, are you really going to tell your board it’s the time to expand that assembly line?” said John Murphy, senior vice president at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

US steelmakers raise prices

U.S. steelmakers can step up production to offset lost imports. They can also raise prices – and have already started, putting U.S. companies that use American steel at a disadvantage to competitors who get theirs elsewhere.

U.S. steel was priced at $854 per metric ton as of Feb. 24, considerably higher than the average world export price of $488, according to Steel Benchmarker.

Aluminum is a different story. The United States has just four aluminum smelters and only two of them were fully operating last year. Increasing U.S. smelter production would require “enough power for a small city,” S&P Global said in a report last week.

Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs are also certain to draw retaliatory taxes. Canada’s are expected to be announced Wednesday.

Contending with angry Canadians

Critics say Trump’s metals tariffs are hitting the wrong target.

China is widely seen as a source of the world steel industry’s problems. Chinese overproduction, heavily subsidized by Beijing, has flooded the world with steel and kept prices low, hurting steelmakers in the United States and elsewhere.

But the U.S. already uses trade barriers to keep out most Chinese steel. China accounted for less than 2% of U.S. steel imports last year, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute. “Instead of focusing on the real issue — China’s market-distorting policies — the United States risks entangling itself in tariff disputes with its closest allies,’’ wrote Luck and Brown at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Meanwhile, companies that use steel are already feeling the pain.

Steelport Knife Co. in Portland, Oregon, uses U.S. steel in its knives for home cooks and professional chefs. Last month, its American steel supplier, anticipating Trump’s tariffs, raised its price by 10%.

CEO Ron Khormaei says Steelport’s Japanese and German competitors are benefiting. “It’s cheaper for them,’’ he said. Khormaei says his small company — it has 12 employees — will lose business if it raises prices. So he’s doing everything he can to cut costs — keeping inventories tight, for example, and limiting travel to trade shows.

And he’s facing another problem. “Canadians are mad at us,’’ he said.

Khormaei said that one of his Canadian customers just cancelled an order by email: “Thank you. We love your product. We are not buying.’’

Court asked to intervene after email tells USAID workers to destroy classified documents

By ELLEN KNICKMEYER and FARNOUSH AMIRI

WASHINGTON (AP) — A union for U.S. Agency for International Development contractors asked a federal judge Tuesday to intervene in any destruction of classified documents after an email ordered staffers to help burn and shred agency records.

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Judge Carl Nichols set a Wednesday morning deadline for the plaintiffs and the government to brief him on the issue. A person familiar with the email who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal verified that it was sent to at least some essential personnel.

It comes as the Trump administration has been dismantling USAID, cutting off most federal funding and terminating 83% of humanitarian and development programs abroad, pulling all but a few hundred staffers off the job, and shutting down the agency’s Washington headquarters.

Lawsuits are mounting over the abrupt shutdown of most U.S. foreign assistance and the targeting of the aid agency. In the latest court challenge, Personal Services Contractor Association, representing thousands of contractors now furloughed or fired from USAID, asked the judge to stop any document destruction to preserve evidence.

The email was sent under the name of Erica Carr — the acting executive secretary at USAID — and bears a USAID logo.

“Thank you for your assistance in clearing our classified safes and personnel documents” at USAID headquarters in Washington, it begins.

It directed staffers to report to work starting Tuesday. “Shred as many documents first,” then stuff remaining classified material into designated bags for burning if the demand on the shredder becomes too great, the email instructed.

Staffers were told to write “secret” on the bag with a marker.

The State Department did not immediately respond to questions about the email, including whether officials were following the legally required procedures in any destruction of documents.

The collection, retention and disposal of classified material and federal records are closely regulated by federal law. Improper handling or disposal can be charged as a crime.

The classified documents at USAID emerged last month when the Trump administration put the agency’s top two security officials on leave after they refused to grant members of Elon Musk’s government-cutting teams access to classified material.

The Associated Press reported that the classified material included intelligence reports. Kate Miller, who serves on an advisory board for DOGE, said at the time that no classified material was accessed “without proper security clearances.”

The wide firings at USAID have left relatively few staffers with access to agency systems.

Associated Press writer Lindsay Whitehurst contributed from Washington.

‘We could’ve been something super special’: How A’s lack of spending wasn’t limited to contracts

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Before the A’s officially left Oakland, the largest contract they ever doled out was a six-year, $66 million deal to star third baseman Eric Chavez in 2004. For two decades, that record stood firm. Only now that they’ve left Oakland have the A’s opened up their pocketbooks.

In recent months, the A’s have handed out three of the largest contracts in franchise history. Right-hander Luis Severino signed a three-year, $67 million deal in December to break Chavez’s record. Designated hitter Brent Rooker cashed in on a five-year, $60 million extension in January. And Monday, right fielder Lawrence Butler signed a seven-year, $65.5 million extension of his own.

The John Fisher-led A’s never went on a spending spree of this magnitude when they called the Oakland Coliseum home. They also never were required to boost their payroll closer to $100 million to remain eligible for revenue sharing benefits until this offseason.

Given the A’s must spent one-and-a-half times their intake of revenue sharing, according to the collective bargaining agreement, and the planned permanent move to Las Vegas, these types of deals could become the norm. Along with Butler and Rooker, All-Star closer Mason Miller, catcher Shea Langeliers and left-hander JP Sears stand out as extension candidates, too.

During reliever Lou Trivino’s four-and-a-half seasons in Oakland, the A’s brass assembled one of the most talented cores in baseball, teams that featured Matt Chapman, Matt Olson, Marcus Semien, Sean Murphy, Chris Bassitt, Sean Manaea and Liam Hendriks. The A’s never spent to keep that core together. But when asked about the A’s lack of financial allocation, Trivino pointed not to contracts, but to the lack of investment in resources.

“I’m not trying to (dump) on the A’s. I really enjoyed my time there,” said Trivino, who is competing for a spot on the Giants’ Opening Day roster. “But when you’re five years behind, it’s almost like you’re way behind. The A’s are getting better. I talk to guys over there. They’re coming along and the front office is putting some money into it. I look back and I’m like, ‘Man, we could’ve been something super special.’ ”

Matt Chapman, who played for the A’s from 2017-2021, respectfully declined to comment.

Trivino emphasized repeatedly how much he appreciated his coaching staff in Oakland and his time with the organization but assessed that the A’s didn’t have the “extra tools” that other teams had at the time. The A’s, for example, didn’t have advanced scouting, according to Trivino, a difference that he especially noticed upon being traded to the New York Yankees.

“I remember I got traded over to the Yankees and they were like, ‘Hey, you’ve got five tips. You’re tipping the ball five different ways. We know it’s coming,’” Trivino said. “They had tip guys over there. There’s no tip guys with the A’s. It’s the little things.”

The Yankees, by contrast, had “everything you could think of,” according to Trivino. That list includes TrackMan, which provides data such as spin rate, vertical and horizontal movement and extension. The Yankees also utilized KinaTrax, which uses motion capture technology to provide imagining and biomechanical analysis. Force plates measure how much pressure a pitcher or batter exerts into the ground while Trajekt allows batters to mimic facing any pitcher by replicating a hurler’s delivery and offerings.

“I loved the team that we had. I really enjoyed the coaching staff, but they were kind of hamstrung with what they had,” Trivino said. “If you’re not going to go out and spend money in free agency, you have to find a way to get advantages over other teams. The Tampa [Bay Rays] might not go out and buy in free agency, but they spend their resources on getting guys better, finding different ways to get the best out of each individual player.

“I think that with the A’s, I felt that they just kind of assembled a team together and said, ‘All right, go get ‘em. Good luck.’ ”

The A’s, during Trivino’s tenure, already had talented players in place. To date, Semien has finished top-three in MVP voting three times. Olson finished fourth in ‘23; Chapman was seventh and sixth in ‘18 and ‘19. Trivino, then, wishes that the A’s were willing to spend “the little extra dollars and try to get the players that they have a little bit better.”

“You go in waves, and then you capitalize on those waves when you have that core group coming through,” Trivino said. “It’s not that the A’s didn’t capitalize. I thought they did. I just wish that they were just a little bit more willing to spend the extra fraction of dollars getting the players that they had a little bit better, getting those advantages.”