Journalist

Hwang Jin Hyun
  • Trump Hints at Ending Iran Conflict Before China Visit
    Trump Hints at Ending Iran Conflict Before China Visit President Donald Trump indicated the possibility of concluding peace negotiations with Iran ahead of his upcoming visit to China. However, significant differences remain on key issues such as Iran's nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, leaving the timeline for a potential agreement uncertain. On May 6, during a White House event, Trump told reporters, "Iran cannot and will not have nuclear weapons," adding that they have agreed on several points. He noted, "We had very good discussions with Iran over the last 24 hours, and the chances of an agreement are very high." Reports from CNN and Axios suggest that the U.S. and Iran are discussing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to end hostilities. The one-page MOU reportedly includes a temporary halt to Iran's nuclear enrichment, the lifting of U.S. sanctions, and a gradual easing of maritime blockades. In an interview with PBS, Trump mentioned that the agreement would likely involve the transfer of Iran's enriched uranium to the U.S. and a halt to operations at Iran's underground nuclear facilities. He expressed optimism about reaching an agreement before his trip to China on May 14-15, stating, "It is possible that we will have an agreement before I leave for China." Axios reported that the White House hopes to finalize negotiations with Iran before Trump's visit. Fox News anchor Bret Baier noted that Trump anticipated a week to reach an agreement, reflecting a cautious optimism. Daniel Shapiro, former U.S. ambassador to Israel, remarked that Trump has a strong incentive to conclude the conflict before his China visit. He warned that if the war continues, Trump may find himself seeking Xi Jinping's help to persuade Iran to accept U.S. conditions. Iran: 'Just a U.S. wishful thinking' Despite Trump's emphasis on progress, he warned that if Iran does not agree, military action would resume. On social media platform Truth Social, he stated, "If they do not agree, bombing will start, and sadly, it will be at a much higher level and intensity than before." Additionally, the U.S. continues to maintain its maritime blockade against Iran despite the ongoing peace negotiations. The U.S. Central Command reported enforcing a blockade on the oil tanker Hasna, which was heading to an Iranian port. Iran remains defiant, having implemented new maritime regulations requiring all vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz to obtain prior permission. This raises questions about whether key issues like the reopening of the Strait and the nuclear program can be resolved even if negotiations resume. On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Ebrahim Raisi, spokesperson for Iran's National Security Committee, dismissed reports of nearing an agreement, stating that U.S. hopes for a swift resolution are unrealistic. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of Iran's Parliament, also denied claims of progress in negotiations. Grant Rumley, a researcher at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, noted that while the Trump administration believes a peace agreement is possible, history shows that negotiations often collapse at the last minute for various reasons.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-07 21:31:57
  • Trump Aides Worry Jet Fuel Spike From Middle East War Could Hurt GOP in Midterms
    Trump Aides Worry Jet Fuel Spike From Middle East War Could Hurt GOP in Midterms President Donald Trump’s aides have begun voicing concern about a sharp rise in jet fuel prices tied to the Middle East war, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday, citing sources. The spike could become a political liability for Republicans ahead of the midterm elections in early November, the report said. Chris Sununu, a Republican who leads Airlines for America, has warned Trump administration officials in recent weeks — including White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett — about the economic fallout from elevated jet fuel costs, the sources said. Trump’s advisers also fear the price surge could damage Republicans politically and want the war to end quickly, the sources said. With global oil and jet fuel prices climbing because of the war, consumers heading into the summer travel season face higher costs, potentially fueling negative views of Trump and the GOP, the report said. In an NPR/PBS/Marist poll conducted April 27-30 among 1,322 U.S. adults (margin of error plus or minus 3.1 percentage points), 63% said the Trump administration bears significant responsibility for rising oil prices. Eight in 10 respondents said higher oil prices are increasing their financial burden. Reuters reported jet fuel prices rose from about $85 to $90 before the war to roughly $150 to $200 recently. The U.S. Department of Transportation said U.S. scheduled airlines spent $5.06 billion on jet fuel in March, up 56.4% from the prior month and 30.4% from a year earlier. Spirit Airlines, a major U.S. low-cost carrier, announced on May 2 that it would shut down, citing rising costs and other pressures. Higher fuel costs are also pushing up ticket prices. The U.S. Airline Survey Association said the average U.S. round-trip airfare in March was $570, up 21% from a year earlier. The Journal said Trump, who had initially dismissed the oil-price rise as “a very small cost” to eliminate Iran’s nuclear weapons, is now moving quickly to end the war. Sununu said administration officials are starting to recognize the economic consequences of the conflict. “Because of this, they’re trying to end the war as quickly as possible,” he said. Sununu cautioned it could take months for oil prices to return to prewar levels, and said even if the war ends immediately, airfares are likely to remain high through the fall. Trump said in an interview with PBS that a deal to end the war with Iran could be reached before his planned trip to China on the 14th and 15th, signaling the possibility of a swift agreement.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-07 15:34:35
  • Israel Strikes Lebanon Again During Ceasefire, Raising Stakes for U.S.-Iran Talks
    Israel Strikes Lebanon Again During Ceasefire, Raising Stakes for U.S.-Iran Talks Israel carried out another large-scale airstrike on Lebanon during a ceasefire, resuming clashes that could complicate emerging U.S.-Iran talks on ending the war. On May 6 (local time), Reuters and Al Jazeera reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement that Israel had struck Lebanon. The reports said Israel used fighter jets and armed drones to hit Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force in southern and eastern Lebanon, with at least 13 people reported killed. Hezbollah said it retaliated against Israeli forces using armed drones. The strike came during a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. Under U.S. and other mediation, the sides observed a 10-day truce from April 17 to 26 and then agreed to an additional three-week ceasefire from April 26 to May 17. Still, Israel carried out airstrikes on Lebanon on May 2 and May 5, and the violence has continued. The latest attack is also expected to affect U.S.-Iran negotiations that are now seen as within reach. Hezbollah is part of the Iran-aligned “Axis of Resistance,” and Iran’s conditions presented to the United States include an end to Israeli hostile actions against Lebanon. As clashes between Israel and Lebanon intensify, the prospects for a U.S.-Iran deal appear to diminish, and Netanyahu has voiced opposition to the talks. Reuters said, “As Iran and the United States were saying they were getting closer to end-of-war talks, the strike is threatening the ceasefire agreement that had halted Israel’s airstrikes on Lebanon.” Analysts also said the ceasefire-era speculation about a possible summit between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Netanyahu has become less likely. Atlantic Council researcher Nicholas Blanford told Al Jazeera, “The image of President Aoun shaking hands with Netanyahu would have a very negative impact in Lebanon.” Clashes between Israel and Lebanon began after Hezbollah resumed attacks on Israel on March 2, shortly after the outbreak of the Iran war. Lebanon’s Health Ministry says Israeli attacks have killed about 2,700 people in Lebanon and displaced 1.2 million. Israel has said 17 soldiers and two civilians have been killed.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-07 11:21:07
  • WSJ: Trump Wants Iran War Deal Before China Trip, May Resume Strikes if No Accord
    WSJ: Trump Wants Iran War Deal Before China Trip, May Resume Strikes if No Accord An analysis says President Donald Trump wants to reach an agreement to end the war with Iran before his planned May 14-15 visit to China. If no deal is reached even after the trip, Trump could again turn to military action, the reports said. The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday, citing Daniel Shapiro, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel, that the longer the war drags on, the more China’s leverage grows in other U.S.-China negotiations. “Trump has a strong incentive to wrap up the war before next week’s China visit,” Shapiro said. If the war continues, he said, Trump would arrive in China “in the position of a supplicant,” asking Xi Jinping to help pressure Iran to accept Trump’s terms. Shapiro added that the ongoing Middle East war weakens U.S. deterrence against China in the Indo-Pacific and helps Xi’s effort to portray the United States as unstable while casting China as a responsible, mature power. Shapiro said that if the war ends, Trump can focus on the economic deals he cares about most. He added that Iran understands that dynamic, giving Tehran some negotiating leverage to extract a certain level of agreement. CNN also reported, citing sources, that if Trump visits China without concluding talks to end the war with Iran, it would hand Beijing an advantage. A Chinese source told CNN that Trump wants to visit China after resolving the Iran issue to project strength. In an interview Tuesday with PBS, Trump said a deal with Iran could be reached before his China trip. Asked whether it would be finished before he leaves next week, he replied, “It’s possible.” But Trump suggested he could resume military action if no agreement is reached. “We’re going to have to bomb them again like crazy,” he said. Axios also reported Tuesday, citing U.S. officials, that Trump could consider renewed military action if negotiations with Iran do not produce an agreement by the end of his China visit. The report said that if talks still fail after Trump’s China trip, his incentive to negotiate could weaken, potentially leading him to intensify pressure on Iran in a way aimed at China. The Chinese source told CNN that if Trump attacks Iran after the China visit, it could make it appear China abandoned Iran. The source added that Trump is “very smart” and, rather than striking China directly, first brought down Venezuela and is now targeting Iran — moves the source described as effectively clipping China’s wings in those regions.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-07 09:37:17
  • Trump Says Tariffs Aren’t High Enough, Signals Push for Additional Duties
    Trump Says Tariffs Aren’t High Enough, Signals Push for Additional Duties President Donald Trump said current tariff levels are not high enough, openly signaling interest in additional duties as large-scale refunds are set to begin next week following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that invalidated his administration’s “reciprocal” tariffs. The Trump administration is expected to use this week’s hearings under Section 301 of the Trade Act to press ahead with what it has described as “alternative tariffs.” According to CBS and other outlets, Trump told a White House Small Business Summit held during U.S. Small Business Week on May 4 (local time) that while people had said they were thankful for tariffs, “I think those tariffs are actually not high enough.” He added that the administration is reviewing alternative tariffs and said, “Refunding tariffs is really terrible.” The remarks came after the Supreme Court in February struck down reciprocal tariffs and other duties the administration had imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA. Reuters, citing a statement from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, reported that the refund process is expected to begin May 12. CBP estimates it collected about $166 billion in IEEPA-based tariffs from 330,000 importers, suggesting refunds could be substantial. CBS, citing CBP data, reported that as of April 26 more than 11 million refund claims had been filed. As the administration looks beyond IEEPA, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is preparing tariffs under Section 301 and plans hearings May 5-8 involving 16 countries, including South Korea and China, on issues tied to overproduction. After the reciprocal-tariff ruling, the administration imposed a 10% global tariff, and since March USTR has launched Section 301 investigations of major trading partners over overproduction and forced labor. Section 301 allows the United States to respond to foreign policies and practices deemed unfair and harmful to U.S. trade. USTR is expected to complete its investigation by July 24, and it is widely expected the administration will impose tariffs on countries where it finds practices it considers unfair. Still, with public sentiment souring amid high prices linked to tariff policy, concerns are also emerging within the Republican Party ahead of this year’s midterm elections. Small businesses, with limited leverage to negotiate prices, are seen as especially vulnerable because they may struggle to pass higher costs on to consumers. Rep. Max Miller, R-Ohio, said, “This tariff policy is not working for them (small businesses),” adding, “Overall, it is not having a positive effect. Overall, it is a negative effect.” CBS also reported that Ford, a major U.S. automaker, has asked the Trump administration not to introduce additional tariffs beyond those already in place.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-05 16:39:14
  • USTR to Hold Section 301 Hearings on Overcapacity With South Korea, 15 Others
    USTR to Hold Section 301 Hearings on Overcapacity With South Korea, 15 Others The Donald Trump administration, seeking new tariffs to replace reciprocal tariffs that were struck down, has launched a Section 301 investigation and will hold public hearings with major trading partners including South Korea. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said in a statement on May 4 (local time) that it will hold hearings May 5-8 at the U.S. International Trade Commission in Washington on economic policies and trade practices related to overcapacity involving 16 countries, including South Korea and China. On May 5, Lee Seung-heon, director of the Americas Trade Division at South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, is expected to appear on a panel to explain Seoul’s position. In an official written submission to USTR on April 16 tied to the Section 301 probe, the South Korean government said it is pursuing voluntary, preemptive restructuring efforts in sectors facing global overcapacity, including petrochemicals and steel. On forced labor, it said it is working to eradicate the practice based on International Labour Organization conventions. The hearings follow USTR’s launch in March of a Section 301 investigation into overcapacity-related practices covering 16 countries, including South Korea, China and Japan. Separately, USTR has opened a Section 301 investigation into forced labor involving about 60 countries, including South Korea and Japan. Section 301 authorizes the United States to take action against foreign policies and practices deemed unfair and affecting U.S. trade. After the U.S. Supreme Court in February invalidated reciprocal tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the Trump administration imposed a new 10% global tariff under Section 122 and has been exploring additional tariffs under Section 301. USTR is expected to complete the Section 301 investigation by July 24 and then impose tariffs based on the findings.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-05 14:50:25
  • U.S. to Start Reciprocal Tariff Refunds as Soon as May 12, Total Seen at $166 Billion
    U.S. to Start Reciprocal Tariff Refunds as Soon as May 12, Total Seen at $166 Billion U.S. tax refund procedures tied to the Supreme Court’s ruling invalidating reciprocal tariffs are expected to begin as soon as May 12 (local time), according to reports. Reuters reported on May 4 (local time), citing a statement from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, that the refund process had been set to start May 11 but was delayed by one day to May 12. Even after the process begins, it is expected to take 60 to 90 days for refunds to be deposited to importers. The move follows a Feb. 20 U.S. Supreme Court decision, by a 6-3 vote, striking down tariffs imposed by the Trump administration under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, including reciprocal tariffs. The refund process is set to start about three months after the ruling. CBP is estimated to have collected about $166 billion (about 245 trillion won) in tariffs from 330,000 importers under IEEPA, and refunds are expected to be comparable. CBS, citing CBP data, reported that as of April 26 more than 11 million refund claims had been filed. The refunds will go to U.S. importers that brought goods in from overseas, not directly to American consumers. However, major U.S. logistics companies including FedEx and UPS said they plan to pass refunded amounts back to consumers. 2026-05-05 13:47:26
  • Iran Proposes 30-Day End to War in New Truce Offer; Trump Says Tehran Must Pay a Price
    Iran Proposes 30-Day End to War in New Truce Offer; Trump Says Tehran Must Pay a Price As the United States and Iran continue behind-the-scenes contacts over a cease-fire, Iran has proposed a new truce plan to Washington that includes ending the war within 30 days, according to reports. President Donald Trump signaled dissatisfaction and suggested the U.S. could return to military action. AP and CNN reported on May 2, citing Iran’s semiofficial Tasnim News Agency and Iranian state TV, that Iran sent the United States a new cease-fire proposal through mediator Pakistan. The plan has 14 clauses. The proposal was described as Iran’s response to a nine-point U.S. cease-fire plan. Its central element is ending the war within 30 days, rather than a two-month cease-fire proposed by the United States, the reports said. The Iranian plan also includes security guarantees related to U.S. hostile acts, a U.S. troop withdrawal from areas around Iran, an end to a U.S. maritime blockade of Iran, the unfreezing of Iranian accounts and lifting of sanctions, an end to the Lebanon conflict, and a new mechanism for managing the Strait of Hormuz, according to the reports. Axios, citing two sources, reported that Iran’s proposal calls for a one-month negotiating period to discuss reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ending the U.S. maritime blockade and ending the Lebanon war, with nuclear talks to follow only after agreement is reached on those items. Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister, said the goal of the proposal is a “permanent halt” to the war. “The ball is now in the U.S. court to choose a diplomatic solution or continue confrontation,” he said. Trump: Iran must pay a price Trump responded skeptically. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, he said the United States would soon review Iran’s proposal, but added that it was hard to imagine accepting it because Iran “has not yet paid enough of a price” for what it has done “to humanity and the world” over the past 47 years, a reference to Iran’s posture since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Before boarding Air Force One at Palm Beach airport in Florida, Trump was asked whether he could resume attacks on Iran. “If they (Iran) act rude or do bad things,” he said, adding, “For now, we’ll watch. That could definitely happen.” He was reported to have received a new military plan on Iran from U.S. Central Command on April 30. Iran also warned of renewed fighting. Mohammad Jafar Asadi, deputy commander of the IRGC’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, told the semiofficial Fars News Agency that a U.S.-Iran clash could resume and said it was being proven that the United States does not keep “any promises or agreements.” The White House has said lobbyist Nick Stewart, who served as a State Department official during Trump’s first term, has joined the Iran negotiating team. CBS, citing officials, reported Stewart was recommended by Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and a member of the Iran negotiating team, and is known as a hard-liner who strongly supports military action against Iran. Separately, the State Department said on May 1 it fast-tracked approval of $8.6 billion (about 12.6533 trillion won) in arms sales to key regional partners including Israel, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The developments have kept tensions high, with both sides continuing to discuss a cease-fire while not ruling out a return to military confrontation. The United States has paused military operations since agreeing on April 8 to a two-week truce with Iran. In a letter to Congress on May 1 marking 60 days since notifying lawmakers about the Iran war, Trump said hostilities with Iran had “ended,” signaling that additional congressional approval would not be needed if the war was no longer continuing beyond the 60-day period. 2026-05-03 16:21:16
  • Trump administration fast-tracks $8.6B in arms sales to Middle East, reports say
    Trump administration fast-tracks $8.6B in arms sales to Middle East, reports say The Donald Trump administration is moving to fast-track a total of $8.6 billion (about 12.6533 trillion won) in arms sales to Middle Eastern countries, seeking both economic and diplomatic gains as regional demand for air defenses rises after the outbreak of the Iran war. CNN and the Financial Times reported May 2, citing U.S. State Department materials released the previous day, that Secretary of State Marco Rubio approved the sales by bypassing congressional review, citing an “emergency.” The accelerated sales are expected to include Patriot air defense missiles and advanced precision kill weapon systems, or APKWS, as well as the Integrated Battle Command System, or IBCS, for key regional partners including Israel, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Rubio said he had determined that an emergency exists requiring immediate sales to the countries and provided detailed justification. He said each sale “is in the national security interests of the United States” and therefore qualifies for a waiver of the congressional review requirement. The State Department said all of the proposed sales support U.S. foreign policy and national security, and would help strengthen the security of strategic regional partners that have been important to political stability and economic development in the Middle East. Since the Iran war began Feb. 28, Iran has carried out indiscriminate attacks on countries across the region, increasing the urgency for air defense and other countermeasures. At the same time, the United States has also drawn down its own missile stockpiles, and deliveries to Europe are expected to slip. The Pentagon has already notified some European countries — including the United Kingdom, Poland, Lithuania and Estonia — that deliveries of certain missiles could be significantly delayed, the FT reported. Separately, the United States and Iran have continued back-channel contacts on a ceasefire. Iran has proposed a new 14-point ceasefire plan that would end the war within 30 days, instead of the U.S. proposal to end it within two months. Trump said he would soon review “the proposal Iran just sent us,” but added that it was hard to imagine it being accepted because, he said, Iran has not yet paid a sufficient price for what it has done to humanity and the world over the past 47 years. 2026-05-03 14:36:16
  • Trump Says U.S. Could Resume Strikes on Iran if It Acts Rudely
    Trump Says U.S. Could Resume Strikes on Iran if It Acts 'Rudely' President Donald Trump said the United States could resume military action against Iran if it behaves “rudely.” According to Axios and other foreign media, Trump made the remarks May 2 (local time) at Palm Beach airport in Florida before boarding his plane. Asked by reporters whether he could restart attacks on Iran, Trump said, “If they (Iran) act rudely or do something bad,” it could happen. “For now, we’ll watch,” he added, saying the possibility “certainly” exists. Trump was also reported to have received a briefing on April 30 from U.S. Central Command on a new military plan involving Iran. At the same time, with reports that Iran has proposed a new ceasefire plan to the United States, Trump appeared to be weighing both negotiations and military action. Earlier May 2, he wrote on his social media platform Truth Social that he would “soon” review “the proposal Iran just sent us.” He added that it was “hard to imagine” the plan would be accepted, saying Iran has not yet “paid enough” for what it has done “to humanity and the world” over the past 47 years. NPR and other outlets, citing Iran’s semiofficial Tasnim news agency and Iranian state television, reported that Iran delivered a 14-point ceasefire proposal to the U.S. side through Pakistan, a mediator. The report said the proposal was a response to a nine-point U.S. ceasefire plan. It calls for ending the war within 30 days, instead of a two-month ceasefire proposed by the United States. The reported terms also include guarantees related to U.S. hostile actions, the withdrawal of U.S. forces from areas around Iran, an end to a U.S. maritime blockade of Iran, the unfreezing of Iranian accounts and lifting of sanctions, an end to the conflict in Lebanon, and the creation of a new mechanism for managing the Strait of Hormuz. 2026-05-03 10:00:15