Trump Defends Economic Record as GDP Shrinks 0.3 in Q1; US Signs Critical Minerals Deal With Ukraine

President Donald Trump is defending his economic record, pointing to strong private sector investment and the prospect of new trade deals. This comes as new data shows the U.S. economy contracted at the start of 2025, shrinking by 0.3 percent in the first quarter—down from a 2.4 percent expansion in the previous quarter.

The United States and Ukraine have signed a critical minerals deal, confirmed by both the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Ukraine’s minister of the economy.

A judge in Vermont has ordered the release of Mohsen Mahdawi, who was arrested by immigration enforcement agents after leading protests at Columbia University. The government is now barred from removing him from the state or the country.

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