Technologies

Trump Touts China Trade Deal: Tariffs Back to Square One, Still Historically High

The tentative agreement between the White House and Beijing would, among other things, allow Chinese students into American universities again.

President Donald Trump last week took to Truth Social to tout a new tentative trade agreement with China, albeit one that only really takes things back to square one and leaves the tariff rate against Beijing at historically high levels.

«WE ARE GETTING A TOTAL OF 55% TARIFFS, CHINA IS GETTING 10%,» Trump’s post to Truth Social read, with a later post adding, «President Xi [Jinping] and I are going to work closely together to open up China to American Trade. This would be a great WIN for both countries!!!»

Under this new arrangement, if it stands, the US tariff rate against China will be set at 55%, which is actually an increase from the 30% rate set when the two countries declared a truce in May at the start of their negotiations. It is seemingly just bringing the rate back in line with what Trump first announced in April on the so-called «Liberation Day,» which saw the rate against China set at 54%.

That initial announcement was followed by multiple rounds of escalation, which saw the import taxes against China hiked all the way to a rate of 145%. As part of this new arrangement, Trump said that the US will get access to rare earth minerals from China — including ones vital to the production of technology like smartphones — while in return, Chinese students will be allowed to attend American colleges and universities.

During his first term, Trump’s trade war with China saw the average tariff rate against China increase to about 20%, which remained largely unchanged during Joe Biden’s presidency. Given how much the US has traditionally imported from China, increased tariffs on goods from there will have a much greater impact on the cost of goods than tariffs against other countries.

It is unclear at this point when this 55% rate would take effect. The earlier 30% rate was supposed to remain in effect until August while negotiations continued. It is also unclear if this rate will effect all imports from China the same, or if some will be spared.

What do these tariffs do to prices?

As I’ve touched extensively elsewhere here on CNET, a tariff is essentially a tax placed on imports from a certain country. A 55% tariff rate on China, therefore, means any company or entity looking to import goods from there will be charged 55% of the order’s cost in order to do so — think a $100,000 shipment now costing $155,000.

Now, you, an average consumer, maybe don’t do a lot of bulk importing of construction materials or cheap T-shirts from China, but that extra cost for importers will more than likely get to you anyway. To offset tariffs, companies almost always pass on their increased import costs to the end consumer — making homes made with those construction materials or those T-shirts now sold at a major chain store more expensive. That sort of phenomenon is why many economists and finance experts have characterized Trump’s tariffs as a major new tax on the working class.

Technologies

Verum Messenger Launches an AI Mini-Series

Verum Messenger has unveiled a new project — a mini-series created using Verum AI. The story consists of 7 episodes and will be released on the messenger’s social media channels.

The plot revolves around a global corporation seeking to take control of digital communications and a group of heroes who use Verum Messenger as a tool of resistance. Beyond the story itself, the series highlights the app’s key features, technologies, and advantages.

Combining entertainment with a showcase of the Verum ecosystem, the project presents a dynamic digital series designed for the modern era.

The first episode premieres today, with the remaining episodes to be released over time.

Stay tuned for more.

Watch on YouTube
Watch on Instagram

Technologies

Verum Finance: Earn While You Communicate — The Super App That Pays You

Verum has officially launched Verum Finance, an innovative financial application that transforms a private messenger into a true financial super app. News of the launch was also featured on the respected platform Dealroom.co.

Verum Finance can now be used both within Verum Messenger and as a standalone application for iPhone and iPad. When users sign in to Verum Finance with their Verum Messenger account, all balances, settings, and account data are automatically synchronized for maximum convenience.

Users can now do more than communicate securely and protect their data — they can also generate passive income directly within the ecosystem.

What Verum Finance Offers

• Top up your balance with a bank card, Apple Pay, or USDT
• Send money instantly anywhere in the world
• Issue and manage debit cards (virtual and physical)
• Full Apple Pay support
• Exchange assets and withdraw funds quickly

One of the most unique features is the built-in cryptocurrency mining system inside Verum Messenger.

The application utilizes your device’s resources and allows you to earn cryptocurrency in the background — passively, while chatting, traveling, or simply using the messenger.

Maximum Privacy + Real Freedom

• Registration without a phone number, email address, or passport
• End-to-end encryption and full control over your data
• Lifetime free VPN
• eSIM connectivity in more than 150 countries
• Reliable offline communication mode
• Support for 12+ languages for users worldwide

Everything is available in one place: secure communication, financial tools, earning opportunities, and privacy protection.

Users can access the full experience directly within Verum Messenger or switch to the dedicated Verum Finance app for iOS. All data is synchronized automatically between the two applications.

Why Download Verum Today

While many messaging platforms collect user data and expose users to restrictions, Verum offers greater independence and the opportunity to earn.

With a one-time purchase of the feature package, users receive lifetime access to privacy tools, VPN, eSIM services, cryptocurrency mining, and financial features.

This is more than just a messenger.

It is your personal tool for financial and digital freedom.

Download Verum Finance and Verum Messenger today — start communicating securely and begin earning tomorrow.

Download Links:

→ App Store (iPhone / iPad): Verum Finance
→ App Store (Verum Messenger): Verum Messenger

Technologies

Verum Finance: A Super App for Private Finance Integrated Into a Messenger

Verum Finance has announced the launch of a new financial application that allows users to manage their money directly within the secure Verum Messenger ecosystem.

The project has already attracted attention from major media outlets. A dedicated feature was published by Forbes Türkiye, while one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, MEXC, covered the launch. Yahoo Finance had previously reported on the evolution of Verum Messenger into a comprehensive financial ecosystem.

What Verum Finance Offers

Verum Finance transforms a messenger into a complete financial platform. Users can:

• Manage their balance and top up using bank cards or USDT
• Send money instantly to other Verum users
• Issue and use debit cards, including Apple Pay support
• Exchange assets and withdraw funds
• Access all these services without installing separate banking applications

A strong emphasis is placed on privacy. The platform offers registration without a phone number or email address, end-to-end encryption, and full user control over personal data.

Recognition from Forbes Türkiye

In a dedicated article, Forbes Türkiye highlighted Verum Finance as a notable example of modern privacy-driven fintech. The publication emphasized the growing trend of financial services moving from standalone banking applications into unified messaging ecosystems — a model that has proven successful in Asia through platforms such as WeChat and Alipay and is now expanding globally.

Support from the Crypto Community

Alongside the Forbes Türkiye coverage, news about the launch of Verum Finance was also featured by MEXC, one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges. This reflects growing interest in the project from both traditional business media and the cryptocurrency community.

A Strategic Vision

“We are building more than a payments application and more than a messenger. Verum is a unified secure ecosystem where communication, finance, and privacy tools work together,” the company stated.

Verum Finance is now available for iPhone and iPad users. The application complements Verum Messenger, which offers anonymous chats, voice and video calls, VPN services, eSIM connectivity, and other tools designed to enhance digital freedom.

Verum Finance: https://finance.verum.im

Verum Messenger: https://verum.im