Donald Trump focuses on economy in State of Union address

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U.S. President Donald Trump boasted about his country’s economy, affordability measures and gold medal-winning men’s hockey team during Tuesday’s State of the Union address.

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The president’s speech at the U.S. Capitol touched on everything from the country’s border, murder and inflation rates, private-sector job creation and what Trump said was the end of diversity, equity and inclusion measures in America – which drew a loud applause from his fellow Republicans.

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“Our country is winning again,” Trump said during the televised address. “In fact, we’re winning so much that we really don’t know what to do about it. People are asking me, please, please, please, Mr. President, we’re winning too much. We can’t take it anymore.”

The speech came amid the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. that coincides with November’s midterm elections and the hosting of the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico beginning in June.

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It also followed on the heels of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics in Italy, where the Americans finished second in the medal table.

President calls tariff setback ‘unfortunate’

The president’s boastful tone from the Winter Olympics carried over into his speech as he touted measures to cut drug prices, help people buy homes, create savings accounts for children and reduce taxes through import tariffs.

Trump, however, offered relatively few new policy ideas early in his address.

Trump championed his immigration crackdowns and slashing of the federal government, as well as his ability to direct quick-hit military actions around the world, including in Iran and Venezuela.

The president also announced that tech companies involved in artificial intelligence are agreeing to pay higher electricity rates in areas where their data centres are located.

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On the subject of tariffs, Trump called his recent Supreme Court setback “unfortunate,” but said that new measures would be in place “within days.”

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U.S. goalie to get top civilian honour

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday rebuked Trump’s import tariffs that have damaged the Canadian economy and those of other nations, while adding a reported $133 billion to the U.S. Treasury.

The court’s decision struck down tariffs that were imposed by using an emergency powers law, but Trump said he will now use a different legal authority instead that is limited in its scope.

A recently signed executive order enabled him to bypass Congress and impose a 10% import tax starting on Tuesday, The Associated Press reported, but those tariffs are only in effect for 150 days unless legislation is passed to extend them.

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Trump then signalled on Saturday that he wants to increase the new tariff rate by another 5%.

Some of the country’s top NHL players, meanwhile, were on hand for the address after beating Canada 2-1 in overtime Sunday to claim the country’s first Olympic men’s hockey gold medal in 46 years.

The players received a lengthy applause before Trump announced that he would be awarding goalie Connor Hellebuyck with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civilian honour, following a 41-save effort against the Canucks.

— With files from The Associated Press.

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