This week’s guide to government and politics in under 10 minutes

I TRUMP FLOATS NEW TARIFFS IN PUSH FOR GREENLAND

President Donald Trump is considering tariffs on countries “if they don’t go along” with his goal to acquire Greenland. President Trump asserts that U.S. ownership of Greenland is necessary for national security. Lawmakers from both parties, including former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) have pushed back on that claim, asserting that the U.S. already has wide latitude to deploy forces and establish bases in Greenland based on a Cold War-era treaty with Denmark. The U.S. currently has one base in Greenland with about 150 personnel stationed there, down from about 6,000 during the height of the Cold War.

>> Learn why President Trump wants Greenland here.

I VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION LEADER GIVES TRUMP HER NOBEL PRIZE

President Trump accepted a Nobel Peace Prize from Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado. Machado had won the prize last year for “her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.” The Nobel Peace Center said on social media that “a medal can change owners, but the title of a Nobel peace prize laureate cannot.” Machado also met with more than a dozen senators to discuss what comes next for Venezuela, making the case that she should lead the country. Several senators, including Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Rick Scott (R-FL) expressed support for a Senate delegation trip to Venezuela while expressing concerns regarding security in the country.

>> Find out what’s next for Venezuela here. 

I IRAN ACKNOWLEDGES THOUSANDS KILLED

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei acknowledged that thousands were killed during more than two weeks of protests. U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency estimates that number is at least 3,600. Khamenei blamed “foreign” agents for inciting the protests, but did not provide evidence for the claim. President Trump responded to the claims, calling Khamenei a “sick man” who should “run his country properly and stop killing people.”

>> Look back on the Women, Life Freedom protests in Iran here.

I VIRGINIA VOTERS WILL DECIDE ON REDISTRICTING

Voters in the Old Dominion will decide on a new district map this spring after Virginia state lawmakers passed a constitutional amendment. If voters support the amendment, the state’s Democratic-controlled legislature will be able to redraw the state’s congressional map before the midterm election in October. The measure temporarily bypasses Virginia’s bipartisan redistricting commission if another state does the same outside of the usual 10-year redistricting cycle or a court order. Democratic state lawmakers will release a proposed map later this month, with analysts predicting the new map will send nine Democrats to the House of Representatives.

>> Dig deeper into how state legislatures approach drawing district maps here

I U.S. & TAIWAN INK TRADE DEAL

The U.S. and Taiwan have agreed to a trade deal that will see Taiwan’s semiconductor businesses invest at least $250 billion in the U.S. in exchange for a reduction of tariffs on Taiwanese goods from 20% to 15%. Taiwan will also provide at least $250 billion in credit guarantees for additional investment in the U.S. semiconductor supply chain.

>> Understand the state of U.S. microchip manufacturing here. 

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