Two Historic Meetings on May 8, 2025: The 80-Year Anniversary of the End of WW II

by Brian Shilhavy
Editor, Health Impact News

Today, May 8, 2025, is the 80-year anniversary of “Victory Day”, and the end of World War II.

Two “historic” meetings took place today, one in Washington D.C. between UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and U.S. President Donald Trump, and one in Moscow between China President Xi Jinping and Russia President Vladimir Putin.

If you live in an English speaking country you probably heard a lot about the one in the White House today, but not much or nothing about the one earlier in the day that took place in Moscow.

Here is the Press Release from the meeting in the White House today between Starmer and Trump.

Fact Sheet: U.S.-UK Reach Historic Trade Deal

ESTABLISHING A NEW PARADIGM FOR OUR SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP: Today, on the 80th anniversary of Victory Day for World War II, President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a historic trade deal, providing American companies unprecedented access to the UK markets while bolstering U.S. national security. This is a great deal for America.

President Trump: “The deal includes billions of dollars of increased market access for American exports, especially in agriculture, dramatically increasing access for American beef, ethanol, and virtually all of the products produced by our great farmers.”
- “The UK will reduce or eliminate numerous non-tariff barriers that unfairly discriminated against American products.”
- “This is now turning out to be, really, a great deal for both countries.”
Prime Minister Starmer: “This is going to boost trade between and across our countries. It’s going to not only protect jobs, but create jobs, opening market access.”
This trade deal will significantly expand U.S. market access in the UK, creating a $5 billion opportunity for new exports for U.S. farmers, ranchers, and producers.
- This includes more than $700 million in ethanol exports and $250 million in other agricultural products, like beef.
- It commits the countries to work together to enhance industrial and agricultural market access.
- It closes loopholes and increases U.S. firms’ competitiveness in the UK’s procurement market.
- It ensures streamlined customs procedures for U.S. exports.
- It establishes high standard commitments in the areas of intellectual property, labor, and environment.
- It maximizes the competitiveness and secures the supply chain of U.S. aerospace manufacturers through preferential access to high-quality UK aerospace components.
- It creates a secure supply chain for pharmaceutical products.
The reciprocal tariff rate of 10%, as originally announced on Liberation Day, is in effect.
The United States will agree to an alternative arrangement for the Section 232 tariffs on UK autos.
- Under the deal, the first 100,000 vehicles imported into the U.S. by UK car manufacturers each year are subject to the reciprocal rate of 10% and any additional vehicles each year are subject to 25% rates.
The United States also recognizes the economic security measures taken by the UK to combat global steel excess capacity and will negotiate an alternative arrangement to the Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum.
- This deal creates a new trading union for steel and aluminum.
This U.S.-UK trade deal will usher in a golden age of new opportunity for U.S. exporters and level the playing fields for American producers.
Today’s action also sets the tone for other trading partners to promote reciprocal trade with the United States.

A FRAMEWORK TO BOLSTER ECONOMIC SECURITY: President Trump continues to advance the interests of the American people, enhancing market access for American exporters and lowering tariff and non-tariff barriers to protect our economic and national security.

On April 18, President Trump had a call with Prime Minister Starmer to discuss our bilateral trade relationship.
U.S. total goods trade with the UK was an estimated $148 billion in 2024.
The UK average applied agricultural tariff is 9.2% while the U.S. average applied agricultural tariff (prior to April 2) was 5%.
The UK maintains certain tariff and non-tariff barriers that restrict market access and create an unfair playing field for American workers and businesses.
- For example, the UK imposes tariffs that can exceed 125% on meat, poultry, and dairy products on top of maintaining non-science-based standards that adversely affect U.S. exports.
On April 2, 2025, Liberation Day, President Trump imposed a 10% tariff on all countries to address unfair trade practices that have contributed to America’s trade deficit and imbalances in order to better protect American workers and our national security.

A MILESTONE IN ADVANCING AN AMERICA FIRST TRADE POLICY: Since Day One, President Trump challenged the assumption that American workers and businesses must tolerate unfair trade practices that have disadvantaged our workers and businesses for decades and contributed to our historic trade deficit.

Reversing these conditions and addressing the lack of reciprocity in America’s trade relationships will bring about a new Golden Age and Make America Great Again.
President Trump continues to advance the interests of the American people, enhancing market access for American exporters and lowering tariff and non-tariff barriers.
The Economic Prosperity Deal with the United Kingdom is a critical step forward in a special relationship to promote reciprocal trade with a key ally and partner.

Source.

Here is a published report from the Russian English website Sputnik about the meeting between Xi and Putin today.

Under Personal Control: What Putin and Xi Agreed Upon in Moscow

Key Agreements Signed

Joint statement on deepening comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation, marking a new era.
Joint statement on strategic stability.
Memorandum on cooperation to combat infectious diseases.
Agreement on promoting and mutually protecting investments.
Memorandum on cooperation between “Movement of the First” and the All-China Youth Federation.
Memorandum on collaboration in creating a lunar power station for the International Lunar Station between Roscosmos and China.
Memorandum of cooperation between RT and China’s Media Corporation.

Main Points From Putin’s Speech

The negotiations took place in a warm, friendly atmosphere, were substantive and productive.
Relations between Russia and China are self-sufficient and independent of global trends.
Both countries will continue efforts to integrate the EEU and the Belt and Road Initiative.
Russia remains one of China’s key trading partners.
Significant progress in investment cooperation between the two nations.
The majority of foreign trade transactions between Russia and China are conducted in rubles and yuan.
The trade system between Russia and China is resilient and shielded from third-party influences.
Gazprom continues to meet China’s needs, exceeding contractual obligations.
Large Chinese corporations in the automotive, microelectronics, and home appliances sectors are expanding their presence in Russia.
Progress is being made in developing and commercializing the Northern Sea Route.
Putin and Xi will personally oversee all major aspects of the Russia-China partnership, both bilaterally and internationally.

Xi’s Main Points

The importance of remaining reliable partners with Moscow and increasing strategic interaction.
The negotiations were thorough and productive, resulting in several important agreements.
China and Russia should work together more actively in the UN, SCO, BRICS, and advocate for multilateralism.
Despite international turbulence, Beijing and Moscow will maintain their commitment to eternal good-neighborliness.
Coordination between China and Russia brings stability and positive energy to an unsettled world.

Joint Statement Between Russia and China

The Soviet and Chinese peoples made a historic sacrifice by defeating fascism and militarism for humanity’s sake.
Moscow considers the Nazi extermination of Soviet civilians to be genocide against the peoples of the Soviet Union.
Russia and China are responsible for preserving the true historical memory of World War II.
Both countries will continue to oppose neo-Nazism and attempts to falsify WWII history.
Russia and China express gratitude to the frontline soldiers and homefront workers for their wartime heroism.
Moscow and Beijing agreed to fight against any discrimination of athletes, protect Olympic values, and uphold the principles of fair sport.
Both nations are committed to countering Washington’s “dual containment” policy toward Russia and China.
Nuclear-armed states should abandon the Cold War mentality and resolve contradictions through dialogue.
To resolve the Ukrainian crisis in a long-term manner, its root causes must be addressed while respecting UN principles.

Source.

Here a report from China’s perspective of this meeting in Moscow today, from Global Times.

China, Russia pledge to defend victorious outcome of WWII

China and Russia agreed here on Thursday to firmly defend the victorious outcome of the World War II (WWII).

The two sides made the pledge in a joint statement on further deepening the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era that was signed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday.

China and Russia also vowed to resolutely crush any act that attempts to tamper with WWII history, smear the historical achievements of China and Russia in WWII, or tarnish the image of the liberators. The two sides strongly condemn the acts to desecrate or damage memorial facilities of WWII martyrs.

In the statement, the two countries described WWII as an unprecedented catastrophe in human history, noting that China and the Soviet Union were the main battlefields in Asia and Europe, and served as the mainstay of resistance against militarism and fascism.

The Chinese people and the Soviet people have made great historical contributions to safeguarding human dignity and restoring world peace, it added.

In today’s world, China and Russia shoulder a shared responsibility and mission of maintaining a correct historical perspective on WWII and the two sides will always remember the just feat of the two peoples in maintaining world peace, said the statement.

Both sides, according to the document, are committed to preventing the resurgence of anti-humanity Nazism and racial supremacy, and will continue to jointly resist the glorification of the Nazis and their accomplices, the rise of neo-Nazism, the restoration of militarism, as well as the promotion of various forms of racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia.

The two countries call on the international community to respect and defend the fundamental principles established by the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg and the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, which aim to prevent attempts to wage war, and commit genocide, war crimes and other crimes against humanity, said the statement.

It added that the rulings of two tribunals are the cornerstones of contemporary international law and international order, which are unshakable and allow no doubt.

China and Russia also agree to continue holding education and commemoration events in various forms. (Source.)

You can decide for yourself which meeting was more significant.

I have made my own bias clear in the featured image, but I wanted to at least let our English readers know that there were actually TWO meetings considered “historical” today, as I did not see the one in Moscow in my U.S. news feeds today.

I only saw it because I read the headline news from other countries outside the U.S. each day.

I also follow the stock market news throughout the day during trading hours, and there was a big spike higher in the U.S. stock markets today, that was apparently triggered by Trump’s remarks about his meeting with Starmer, where he told reporters, “Better go by stocks now.”

And they did.

What is rather astonishing though, is the headline article that was on MarketWatch when this happened:

MarketWatch quickly replaced this article with a different one, of course, once the markets jumped after Trump’s remarks.

Here are some excerpts from David Blond’s article today:

It takes 30 to 50 days for container ships from Asia to reach the U.S.’s West Coast ports. Barring new, faster shipping options or a stunning retreat by U.S. President Donald Trump on China tariffs, the consumer retail economy, which constitutes 70% of GDP, will be damaged.

Demand for container space from China on the ships transiting the Pacific Ocean currently is running 60% to 65% below what it normally would be at this time.

Attention, U.S. shoppers: If you see something you need or even think you will, head to Walmart or Target or a local retailer and buy it. Already you can see the shelves starting to empty.

Some analysts are concentrating on the higher prices on imports, but the truth is that fewer American businesses will clear products through U.S. customs. It won’t be price that matters; it will be the lack of product to sell.

Stop the trade flow, and you stop the economy.

Damage to the U.S. economy is happening in slow motion. Without products to sell in stores, retail employers (responsible for 10% of all jobs in the U.S.) will shed employees, a cascade of negatives now showing up in both statistics and “for lease” signs.

Small businesses from Alaska to Maine without imported goods to use in the factory or sell at the shop will close. Bankruptcy sales will proliferate.

Now consider that job losses have a multiplier effect, further reducing economic output. (Full article.)

David Blond is an economist specializing in global economic analysis. He was a senior economist at the Pentagon during the Carter and Reagan administrations.

Here are a few more headlines from our Telegram Channel today.

Whitney Webb Explains What Trump is HIDING From the Epstein Files

Great interview with Whitney Webb by Katie Harper about why the Trump Administration would never want to release all of the Epstein files.

Whitney Webb is, in my opinion, the best source of information on the Jeffrey Epstein Banking Network, of which child sex trafficking was just a part of that network used to blackmail people.

Her two-volume book is titled One Nation Under Blackmail: The Sordid Union Between Intelligence and Crime that Gave Rise to Jeffrey Epstein.

I have these books in my library, and so should you. My review is here.

Reports of Israeli casualties in Gaza Fighting

From Al Jazeera:

An explosion in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip has killed and injured Israeli troops from the Golani Brigade, who were detonating a building, according to Israeli websites.

There is currently an Israeli media blackout on the incident on Thursday and there has been no official comment from the government there yet.

Witnesses in Rafah told Al Jazeera of a large explosion, and Israeli helicopters trying to evacuate the wounded. There has been heavy fighting in the area, they said.

Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum, reports from Deir el-Balah, in central Gaza, that Hamas’s armed wing, the Qassam Brigades says it is engaging in “fierce point-blank clashes and confrontations with Israeli occupation forces operating in the El Geneina neighbourhood east of Rafah city”.

“There are more reports that a number of Israeli forces are trapped under the rubble of a building that had been previously rigged by explosives by Hamas in Rafah city. This has been a tactic that has been used by Hamas fighters to ambush Israeli ground forces”, Azzoum added. (Source.)

US ‘delinks’ Saudi nuclear program from normalization with Israel: Report

Hebrew media reports indicate that Trump has ‘lost patience’ with Netanyahu and is seeking to advance US interests in West Asia independently of Israel

From The Cradle:

The US government is no longer demanding that Saudi Arabia normalize ties with Israel as a condition before nuclear cooperation talks can proceed, according to a report by Reuters on 8 May.

Over the past several years, Washington has sought to secure Riyadh’s entry into the Abraham Accords by offering a so-called “megadeal” that includes a comprehensive defense treaty and assistance in developing a civilian nuclear energy program in exchange for the kingdom normalizing ties with Israel.

The strategy was nearing completion in September 2023, with officials from all sides signaling an imminent normalization deal. However, the Palestinian resistance’s Operation Al-Aqsa Flood and the resulting Israeli genocide of Palestinians halted these plans.

Saudi Arabia has publicly claimed that it will not establish official ties with Israel without the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

The new revelations come a few days before US President Donald Trump begins his first trip to West Asia since returning to power, which will include stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.

No visit to Israel has yet been scheduled.

Earlier on Thursday, Israel Hayom reported that Trump has “lost patience” with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and will not wait any longer for Israel before advancing initiatives in West Asia.

According to informed sources cited by the Hebrew outlet, Trump wants “to make decisions he believes will advance American interests, particularly regarding Saudi Arabia and Gulf states,” but he has grown frustrated with Netanyahu “delaying making the necessary decisions.”

Moreover, Trump is reportedly “furious” after it was revealed that former National Security Advisor Mike Waltz had closely coordinated with Netanyahu regarding US military action in Iran. (Source.)

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This article was written by Human Superior Intelligence (HSI)