rss

US Sec State Pompeo says again China did not act fast enough over the coronavirus outbreak

Pompeo speaking on Fox, dialling back his rhetoric a little.

He had previously said the virus was a deliberate man-made virus, basing his comments on media reports.
Now falling back on the ‘could have moved quicker’ attack. He is on much safer ground with this given the experience the US administration has had with moving slowly on the COVID-19 outbreak.
ADDED — Uh-oh, here we go, Pompeo with more:
  • reiterates he has seen evidence the virus came for a lab in China
Pompeo speaking on Fox, dialling back his rhetoric a little.

Pres. Trump: China may or may not keep the trade deal

Will know over the next a few weeks

Pres. Trump is on the wires saying:
  • China may or may not keep the trade deal
  • He will be able to report on whether China is fulfilling its obligations under the phase 1 trade deal in about a week or 2
In other comments, Pres. Trump says:
  • Fauci and Birx will continue to hold same roles on coronavirus task force
  • fast food chain Wendy’s is going to be okay with regard to beef supply.
Earlier Pres. Trump said that public opinion is swing him to keep the coronavirus task force in place. That is something new.

S&P and Dow close at session lows

NASDAQ are on the day but off the session highs

the S&P index and Dow industrial average are both closing at/near session lows. The NASDAQ index remained higher on the day but well off its high levels.
The final numbers are showing
  • S&P index -20.02 points or -0.70% at 2848.42. The high percentage was 0.79%
  • NASDAQ index +45.266 points or +0.51% at 8854.38. The high percentage was 1.41%.
  • Dow industrial average -218.45 points or -0.91% at 23664.64.  The high percentage was up 0.72%.