United States: The stewardship of student loans for approximately 40 million borrowers will now fall under the jurisdiction of the Small Business Administration (SBA), US President Donald Trump announced on Friday. This decision follows his directive to dismantle the Department of Education, fulfilling one of his prominent campaign promises. 

The dissolution of a significant portion of the education department has sparked concerns over the continuity of critical functions, including the management of student loan services. 

“The SBA is fully prepared, eagerly awaiting the task, and will administer it far more efficiently than it has been managed before. The previous handling has been chaotic,” Trump remarked during his Oval Office address on Friday. 

While Trump stated that the transfer of responsibilities would occur “immediately,” he refrained from providing further clarity on the exact timeline, according to reports by BBC News. 

Trump announces that the Small Business Administration will immediately handle all federal student loans, and RFK Jr is now in charge of "handling special needs and all of the nutrition programs and everything else." pic.twitter.com/m6wGHdGl0i

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 21, 2025

In addition to the SBA’s assumption of student loan management, Trump disclosed that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would assume control over certain student-related programs. This includes handling special needs services and overseeing nutritional assistance programs—tasks that were previously managed by the education department. 

“Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will spearhead initiatives concerning special needs care, nutritional programs, and other multifaceted services. It’s a complex arrangement,” Trump elaborated. 

Earlier this week, Trump issued scathing criticisms of the education department, citing its “staggering failures.” He emphasized his commitment to reallocating the agency’s funding directly to individual states. 

Currently, state and local authorities retain significant control over public education in the US, including the development of curriculum standards. The federal education department’s primary responsibility had been the administration of financial aid programs to assist students in covering their university expenses, as per BBC News. 

These structural shifts align with the Trump administration’s broader agenda to reduce government expenditures by shuttering agencies and implementing workforce reductions. 

In a separate announcement on Friday, the SBA confirmed its intention to eliminate over 40% of its personnel. Agency officials projected that the downsizing initiative would generate savings exceeding $435 million annually by the next fiscal year. 

United States: The European Union has opted to postpone the enforcement of its initial tranche of tariffs on US goods until mid-April, granting additional leeway for dialogue with Washington, an EU representative disclosed to CNBC on Thursday. 

“The Commission has resolved to synchronize the implementation timeline of the two phases of EU retaliatory actions in response to the US 232 tariffs on EU steel and aluminum,” the spokesperson stated, further emphasizing that the deferment “affords supplementary time for exchanges with the US administration,” according to CNBC News.  

“This revision denotes a marginal recalibration of the schedule without undermining the magnitude of our reaction, especially as the EU remains poised for countermeasures amounting to as much as EUR 26 billion [USD 28 billion],” they remarked. 

Earlier this month, the EU had delineated a dual-faceted strategy, consisting of reinstating previously lifted tariffs and introducing an array of additional levies on further US imports.

WATCH: The European Union has delayed its first counter-measures against the US over President Donald Trump's metals tariffs until mid-April, allowing it to re-think which US goods to hit and offering extra weeks for negotiations https://t.co/GH5u010cKn pic.twitter.com/C2EWOb2g1J

— Reuters Business (@ReutersBiz) March 20, 2025

The targeted goods encompass industrial-grade steel and aluminum, along with semifinished and finished variations of these metals, as well as derivative products like mechanical components and knitting needles, as reported by CNBC News. 

An expansive assortment of commodities could also face tariffs, ranging from bourbon and agricultural items to industrial products such as textiles, leather articles, and household appliances. 

“Our intention is to establish a well-measured product selection, bearing in mind the welfare of EU manufacturers, exporters, and consumers alike,” the EU representative conveyed to CNBC. 

The EU initiated these measures in reaction to the 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports imposed by former US President Donald Trump. At that juncture, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen underscored the necessity for the EU to “take decisive action to safeguard businesses and consumers.” 

The Commission also indicated that its responsive measures would be amplified beyond the initial scope, acknowledging that the revised US tariffs had broadened substantially and inflicted a more pronounced economic impact on European trade, as per CNBC News. 

“The principal aim is to ensure that the total magnitude of EU actions matches the heightened trade disruption caused by the augmented US tariffs,” the Commission elucidated in an explanatory note on its plans. 

Ongoing Deliberations 

Maros Sefcovic, the EU’s commissioner for trade and economic security, reaffirmed on Thursday that negotiations with Washington are ongoing. 

“President von der Leyen has entrusted me with the task of sustaining a dialogue with the US to explore a viable resolution,” Sefcovic stated, according to a transcript of his comments delivered at the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee. 

“I am engaged with my US counterparts to gain further clarity on their intentions and to identify potential resolutions,” he added, underscoring that the EU was maintaining readiness, according to CNBC News.  

“On April 2, we will evaluate the actions taken by the US and retain the agility to calibrate our countermeasures as deemed appropriate,” Sefcovic concluded. 

Notably, April 2 marks the deadline announced by Trump for the imposition of reciprocal tariffs targeting other nations. 

United States: In a decisive diplomatic twist, the Trump administration expelled South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool on Friday, mandating his departure from the United States within 72 hours. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a social media statement, denounced Rasool as a “race-baiting politician who harbors disdain for both America and President Trump.” 

The US Department of State formally declared that effective March 17, Rasool would no longer be acknowledged as a representative of South Africa’s diplomatic mission, rendering his privileges and immunities null and designating him as “persona non grata” within American borders, according to reports by CBS News. 

This expulsion follows a controversial webinar hosted by the South African Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection, during which Rasool criticized Trump’s administration, alleging that its policies epitomized a “white supremacist reaction” to America’s shifting demographic landscape. 

Notably, Rasool’s diplomatic tenure in Washington lasted a mere two months before his forced departure. 

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the situation on Monday, emphasizing the significance of maintaining strong bilateral ties with the United States, which he identified as his nation’s second-largest trading partner after China. Acknowledging the US government’s concerns, Ramaphosa affirmed that Rasool would return to Pretoria to provide a comprehensive report on the incident. 

Very good article & I don’t necessarily disagree with his expulsion from USA.We cannot work with anyone who is perceived to like Hamas Trump admin. expels South Africa envoy Ebrahim Rasool, calls him a "race-baiting politician who hates America" – CBS News https://t.co/sJLbw1Zo5J

— Georgia Mathers ☮️ (@mathers_georgia) March 17, 2025

This expulsion marks yet another strain in US-South African relations, which have seen a notable decline since Trump commenced his second presidential term in January, as per CBS News. 

South Africa’s Foreign Minister, in a televised statement on Saturday, decried Washington’s decision as “unprecedented and regrettable,” advocating for direct diplomatic engagement rather than public confrontations via social media. 

Controversy Surrounding Rasool’s Appointment 

Even before assuming his post, Rasool’s election as South Africa’s ambassador to the US sparked contention, particularly within the country’s newly formed Government of National Unity (GNU). His appointment, endorsed by the ruling African National Congress (ANC), was met with opposition from all other coalition partners, creating an early rift within the GNU. 

Professor William Gumede of the University of the Witwatersrand explained that while initial resistance from non-ANC parties was strong, they ultimately acquiesced, allowing Rasool to take office. However, critics remained apprehensive due to his perceived alignment with Iran and Hamas, as well as his staunch opposition to Israel. 

Rasool’s political legacy includes vocal support for Hamas—a group designated as a terrorist organization by both the US and Israel—along with public endorsements of its leadership. Additionally, he has been a leading advocate of South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, accusing the nation of genocide in Gaza, an allegation Israel categorically denies, asserting its military actions constitute self-defense in response to Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attacks, according to CBS News. 

Gumede suggested that Ramaphosa could de-escalate tensions by formally disavowing Rasool’s statements while underscoring the strategic importance of US-South African relations. Failure to do so, he warned, could exacerbate the diplomatic standoff, with dire economic consequences. 

“If Pretoria does not take proactive steps to mend ties, we risk facing targeted economic sanctions, which could jeopardize between 300,000 and 400,000 direct jobs, with ripple effects leading to even more losses through indirect channels,” Gumede cautioned. 

According to reports by CBS News, despite the mounting tensions, reconciliation remained possible. “President Trump has South African allies within his close circles. It is imperative that non-ANC representatives from the GNU engage with Washington and initiate diplomatic overtures. The economic and strategic relationship between our nations is too vital to be left in jeopardy.”