Europe Seeks Nuclear Deterrent as US Politics Unfolds

As global tensions continue to rise, Europe is reexamining its strategic nuclear deterrent, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron leading the charge. This development comes as the US Supreme Court has struck down the bulk of President Trump's sweeping tariffs, dealing a significant blow to his economic strategy. The Supreme Court's decision, which invalidates Trump's use of an emergency statute to remake global trade, has been hailed as a major victory for critics of the president's trade policies. The ruling marks a significant shift in the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches, and is likely to have far-reaching implications for US trade policy. Meanwhile, in the world of sports, US-born Olympian Eileen Gu has brushed off criticism from Vice President Vance over her decision to compete for China in the Olympic Games. Gu, a decorated freestyle skier, told USA Today that she was "flattered" by Vance's comments, but emphasized that many athletes compete for different countries. As the US prepares for the State of the Union address, Democrats are gearing up for a potentially contentious evening. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) has warned his fellow Democrats against disrupting the address, urging them to maintain dignity and decorum. However, some lawmakers are likely to use the occasion to protest Trump's policies and draw attention to issues such as the ongoing controversy surrounding convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) has accused Trump of using the recent chatter around UFOs and extraterrestrial life as a "weapon of mass distraction" to deflect from the Epstein controversy. Massie tweeted that the Epstein files "aren't going away... even for aliens," suggesting that the president is attempting to divert attention from the issue. As the US navigates these complex and contentious issues, Europe's push for a strategic nuclear deterrent is likely to have significant implications for global security. With the US Supreme Court's ruling on Trump's tariffs and the upcoming State of the Union address, the coming days and weeks are likely to be marked by continued tension and uncertainty. Sources: - "Europe is hankering for its own strategic nuclear deterrent" - "Read: Supreme Court ruling on Trump tariffs" - "US-born Olympian Eileen Gu on Vance criticism: ‘That’s sweet’" - "Fetterman warns Democrats on Trump address: ‘No dignity’ in yelling" - "Massie: Trump UFO talk ‘ultimate weapon of mass distraction’ from Epstein files"