The Latest: Trump prepares broad tariffs order ahead of meeting with India's Modi

President Donald Trump meets Thursday with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has heaped praise on him and is hoping to avoid tariffs that Trump has ordered for imports from other countries. The White House said Trump would sign a new order ahead of their meeting that could impose reciprocal tariffs across the global economy. European anger over changing U.S. policy on the Russia-Ukraine war will be on display at Thursday’s NATO meeting. At the Capital, Robert F. Kennedy's nomination for health secretary reaches a final Senate vote. And shockwaves continue throughout the federal workforce as Elon Musk's DOGE team works to dismantle much of government.

Here's the latest:

Trump says he’s signing an order for sweeping tariffs today

The president posted on social media that his executive order increases U.S. tariffs to the rates other countries charge on imports.

“TODAY IS THE BIG ONE: RECIPROCAL TARIFFS!!!” Trump said on his social media site Truth Social. “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”

A dramatic hike on tariffs could send shockwaves through the world economy, possibly depressing growth while causing inflation to intensify. Trump has maintained that such tariffs will help to create domestic factory jobs, but most economists say they would effectively be a tax increase on U.S. consumers that would add to inflationary pressures.

Trump has not specified yet how he defines the term “reciprocal” and whether his order would apply only to matching tariffs or to address other foreign taxes he views as barriers to American exports.

▶ Read more on Trump and tariffs

Senate to vote on vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s bid to become nation’s health secretary

The Senate is expected to vote Thursday on the confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent lawyer and vocal vaccine critic, as the nation’s health secretary, controlling $1.7 trillion in spending for vaccines, food safety and health insurance programs for roughly half the country.

Despite several Republicans expressing deep skepticism about his views on vaccines, Kennedy is expected to win confirmation, absent any last-minute changes.

But with the backing of Republican President Trump, Kennedy believes he is “uniquely positioned” to revive trust in those public health agencies, which include the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institutes for Health.

Republican senators have largely embraced Kennedy’s vision, reciting his newly hatched slogan to “Make America Healthy Again” in speeches.

▶ Read more about RFK Jr.’s expected confirmation

Trump’s third-term musings seem more a tease than a pledge

Trump has just started his second term, his last one permitted under the U.S. Constitution. But he’s already started making quips about serving a third one.

Over the years, Trump and his supporters have often joked about him serving more than his two constitutionally permitted terms. But his musings often spark alarm among his critics, given that he unsuccessfully tried to overturn his 2020 election loss and has since pardoned supporters who violently attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

But Trump, who will be 82 when his term ends, has repeatedly said that this will be his last term. Trying for another also would flatly violate the Constitution.

▶Read more about Trump’s occasional comments about a third term

What to know about the federal workforce under Trump

Carrie Muniak joins a rally in front of the Office of Personnel Management, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Since Trump began his second term last month, he has focused on dramatically reducing the federal workforce at a breakneck pace.

From dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development to offering a mass deferred resignation plan, Trump’s Republican administration has released executive orders and memos aimed at substantially reshaping the size of government and where its employees work.

A federal judge on Wednesday removed a key legal hurdle stalling President Donald Trump ’s plan to downsize the federal workforce with a deferred resignation program.

The Boston-based judge’s order in the challenge filed by a group of labor unions was a significant legal victory for the Republican president after a string of courtroom setbacks.

▶ Read more about the federal workforce, its job protections and the process of cutting back on its ranks

What to expect during Modi’s visit to Washington

T rump is expected to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has heaped praise on him and is hoping to avoid tariffs that the new administration has slapped on other countries in its opening weeks.

Modi is a nationalist and has talked up his warm relationship with Trump during his first term while cheering his winning back the White House. The Indian leader is looking to improve relations with Washington and the West overall, which have been frosty lately after Modi refused to condemn Russia for its war on Ukraine.

The White House visit isn’t likely to be all smiles, though.

Trump has already imposed tariffs on China and says more are coming against the European Union, while threatening similar against Canada and Mexico and expanding tariffs on steel and aluminum he initially imposed during his first term.

Trump has repeatedly dubbed India a “tariff king.” In response, New Delhi has shown a willingness to buy more American oil while lowering its own tariffs on U.S. goods, including on some Harley-Davidson motorcycles, from 50% to 40%.

▶ Read more about what to expect in Trump and Modi’s meeting