Trump’s global 10 per cent tariffs ruled illegal as he pushes for an EU-trade deal

The Briefing delivers a comprehensive look at global political and cultural developments on May 8, 2026. The episode opens with a major setback for President Donald Trump’s tariff policy, as the US Court of International Trade rules his 10% global tariffs illegal—though only granting immediate relief to three small entities. Despite this, Trump continues threatening higher tariffs on the European Union by July 4th, using the leverage of a 1974 trade law to maintain pressure. The European Union remains in negotiation, facing internal fragmentation and a tight deadline to deliver a trade deal to avoid escalation. Meanwhile, the 2026 Venice Biennale unfolds amid protests against Russia and Israel’s participation, with the Russian pavilion shut down early and an international jury resigning over ethical concerns. In cultural news, the 100th birthday of Britain’s revered natural historian David Attenborough is celebrated globally, with a major event at the Royal Albert Hall, though he remains modest about the attention. The episode also covers rising global food prices due to Middle East conflicts and fertilizer shortages, and the surprising revival of nuclear energy in the US, with Microsoft backing the reopening of the Three Mile Island plant to power AI data centers. These developments underscore growing global uncertainty, shifting economic dynamics, and the enduring cultural power of storytelling and environmental advocacy.