China has issued a warning to Donald Trump and the United States after the president announced his plans for a future ‘Golden Dome’ missile defence programme.

Trump outlined his ideas for the latest defence plan from the Oval Office in the White House on Tuesday (May 20), telling reporters that he hopes to move quickly on the idea which will put US weapons in space for the very first time.

The goal of the Golden Dome is to help the US to intercept missiles – ‘even if they are launched from space’, the POTUS explained.

General Michael Guetlein, who currently serves as the vice chief of space operations, will be in charge of overseeing the progress of the Golden Dome, which is set to cost $175 billion dollars.

The Golden Dome intends to put US weapons in space (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

What is the Golden Dome?

Following warnings from the Pentagon about the new, advanced missiles developed by China and Russia, the focus of the Golden Dome is to both detect and stop missiles at four specific stages:

• Before a launch
• During the earliest stage of flight
• In the middle of their course
• In the final minutes as they approach a target

Planners at the Pentagon have spent months coming up with options for interceptors, with one US official cited by the PA News Agency explaining that they came up with ‘medium, high and extra high choices’ based on cost, with differences varying on satellites, sensors, and space-based interceptors.

The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that space-based components of the programme alone could cost as much as $542 billion over the next 20 years, with Trump requesting an initial $25 billion for the programme.

The Golden Dome is set to cost millions of dollars (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

What has China said about the Golden Dome?

After news of Trump’s plans came to light, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning issued a warning on the implications and potential outcomes of the Golden Dome.

Mao said the Golden Dome carries ‘strong offensive implications’, and increases the risk of outer space becoming militarized.

On top of that, Mao said it also heightens the risks of an arms race.

The spokesperson said: “The United States, in pursuing a ‘US-first’ policy, is obsessed with seeking absolute security for itself. This violates the principle that the security of all countries should not be compromised and undermines global strategic balance and stability. China is seriously concerned about this.”

Mao went as far as urging Washington to abandon the development of the Golden Dome altogether.

China has urged Washington to abandon the idea (Chris Kleponis/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Why does the US need the Golden Dome?

Since China and Russia have already put offensive weapons in space, including satellites that can disable critical US satellites, the US has been left vulnerable to attack.

General Chance Saltzman, head of the US Space Force, has said that the Golden Dome and its weapons ‘represent new and emerging requirements for missions that have never before been accomplished by military space organizations’.

However, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink has said the programme is ‘still in the conceptual stage’ for the time being.

Donald Trump has taken to Truth Social to issue a threat to tech giant Apple amid the possibility of iPhones not being made in the US going forward.

Since the 47th POTUS returned to the White House back in January for a second term it has been tariff, after tariff, after tariff.

And the ongoing trade as a result has lead to many companies questioning the decisions being made in the Oval Office, including Walmart, who have warned of rising prices in store.

Apple’s response

Earlier this month, Apple confirmed that they would be massively impacted by the ongoing trade war caused by Trump’s tariffs.

The iPhone maker noted that the tariffs placed on countries would result in an increase of $900,000,000 in costs for the second quarter of the year, ending in June.

Apple CEO Tim Cook (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

CEO Tim Cook said that the majority of iPhones to be sold in the US will come from India and the majority of iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches will be made in Vietnam.

The company explained this decision had been made as Apple had spent extra money to ensure they were building their products in nations outside of China.

Trump’s threat

Now, Trump has threatened to put a 25 per cent tariff on Apple products unless iPhones are manufactured in the States.

Taking to Truth Social, the president wrote: “I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhone’s that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else.

“If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the US.”

Apple’s plan to shift iPhone manufacturing to India has seemingly been a constant source of frustration for Trump, as the president mentioned it last week during a visit to the Middle East.

Despite the tech giant’s plans, some experts are warning it may not be enough to prevent increased costs being passed on to the consumer.

Donald Trump has issued a threat to Apple (Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Jacob Bourne, an analyst at Emarketer, said: “The company’s proposed manufacturing shift to India raises pressing questions about execution timeline, capacity limitations, and potentially unavoidable cost increases that will shrink margins, be passed to consumers, or have a mix of consequences.”

Dan Ives, an analyst at Wedbush Securities, has warned the next iPhone could cost as much as $3,500 each, which is significantly more expensive than the current most expensive smartphone from Apple, the iPhone 16 Pro Max, at $1,199.

UNILAD has reached out to Apple for comment.

Donald Trump has issued a scathing response to Walmart after the retailer warned prices are set to increase in store as a result of the president’s tariffs.

Walmart gets merchandise from the likes of Canada, China, India, Mexico and Vietnam, all of which face at least ten percent in tariffs.

The 47th POTUS has even increased tariffs on most Chinese goods to a staggering 145 percent, but that has since dropped to 30 percent for a 90-day period as Trump announced a temporary truce with China.

But if a subsequent trade agreement isn’t reached with China, Trump has warned ‘substantially higher’ tariffs could come in on a later date.

Walmart CEO Douglas McMillon hinted earlier this week that products across the retailer could see price hikes in the future amid Trump’s tariffs.

Walmart’s CEO has hinted at price hikes (FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)

“We will do our best to keep our prices as low as possible. But given the magnitude of the tariffs, even at the reduced levels announced this week, we aren’t able to absorb all the pressure given the reality of narrow retail margins,” the chief executive said in an earnings call on Thursday (May 15).

The president responded to these comments on Saturday by saying Walmart should stop ‘trying to blame tariffs’ for the price hikes.

Trump wrote on Truth Social: “Walmart should STOP trying to blame Tariffs as the reason for raising prices throughout the chain. Walmart made BILLIONS OF DOLLARS last year, far more than expected. Between Walmart and China they should, as is said, ‘EAT THE TARIFFS,’ and not charge valued customers ANYTHING.

“I’ll be watching, and so will your customers!!!”

Trump has issued a response to Walmart CEO Douglas McMillon’s claims regarding price hikes (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Billionaire Mark Cuban has previously urged members of the public to ‘go to Walmart’ before Trump’s new tariffs take full effect.

In a post on the social media platform Bluesky, Cuban encouraged members of the public to go to ‘the local Walmart or big box retailer’ as soon as possible.

The billionaire said: “It’s not a bad idea to go to the local Walmart or big box retailer and buy lots of consumables now. From toothpaste to soap, anything you can find storage space for, buy before they have to replenish inventory.”

Cuban went on to claim that companies could potentially use the tariffs as an excuse to increase prices, saying: “Even if it’s made in the USA , they will jack up the price and blame it on tariffs.”

Donald Trump and the president of the European Commission had a ‘good call’ which has sparked a ‘swift’ advancement in tariff talks.

On Friday (May 23), Trump ‘recommended’ a ‘straight 50 percent tariff on the European Union’ beginning June 1.

It followed the POTUS accusing the EU of ‘ripping off’ the US and announcing plans to hit the EU with levies of 20 percent on April 2 – the US’ ‘so-called Liberation Day’.

However, despite initially finding the EU ‘difficult to deal with’, it would seem after a ‘very nice’ call with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, relations have seemingly eased.

So much so, in fact, Trump has actually delayed the imposing of the high tariffs from the start of June to July 9.

Trump initially branded the EU ‘difficult to deal with’ (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

Trump’s initial ‘recommendation’ for 50 percent tariffs on the EU

He said: “The European Union, which was formed for the primary purpose of taking advantage of the United States on TRADE, has been very difficult to deal with. Their powerful Trade Barriers, Vat Taxes, ridiculous Corporate Penalties, Non-Monetary Trade Barriers, Monetary Manipulations, unfair and unjustified lawsuits against Americans Companies, and more, have led to a Trade Deficit with the US of more than $250,000,000 a year, a number which is totally unacceptable.

“Our discussions with them are going nowhere! Therefore, I am recommending a straight 50 percent Tariff on the European Union, starting on June 1, 2025. There is no Tariff if the product is built or manufactured in the United States. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

However, just days later, Trump has seemingly u-turned on his decision.

What a u-turn (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images))

Trump’s u-turn on imposing 50 percent tariffs on the EU in June

In a post to Truth Social shared earlier today (May 26), Trump wrote: “I received a call today from Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, requesting an extension on the June 1st deadline on the 50 percent Tariff with respect to Trade and the European Union.

“I agreed to the extension — July 9, 2025 — It was my privilege to do so. The Commission President said that talks will begin rapidly. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

He later added to reporters the call was ‘very nice,’ The Independent reports.

And the positive reflection was reciprocated by von der Leyen too, with Trump sharing a screenshot of a post by the president of the European Commission.

Everyone’s reportedly happy (Omar Havana/Getty Images)

The EU’s response to the phone call with Trump

Von der Leyen said: “Good call with POTUS.

“The EU and US share the world’s most consequential and close trade relationship.

“Europe is ready to advance talks swiftly and decisively.

“To reach a good deal, we would need the time until July 9.”