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

  
Analysis, Politics

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.

South Korea spy agency says no signs that Kim Jong Un received heart surgery – report

  
Analysis, Politics
#  #

Yonhap reports on the matter

At this point, it is pretty much believe what you will. Kim mysteriously disappeared for three weeks – with reports surfacing initially that he had a botched heart surgery – before reappearing on Saturday as local media released some images of him:

Kim
Perhaps he just had the case of COVID-19. Who knows really?

US President Trump says expects 75,000 to 100,000 coronavirus deaths in the US

  
Analysis, Politics

You’ll recall the 100k figure was a base just a few week weeks ago:

You'll recall the 100k figure was a base just a few week weeks ago:
More:
  • some states not opening fast enough
  • says may be further flare ups – we may have to put out a fire
  • confident will have coronavirus vaccine by the ejd of the year
(I’ll slot in the usual warning about paying much attention to Trump’s promises of what is coming and when – for years Trump promised a trade deal with China. it took MUCH longer than he promised and when it came it was underwhelming and neither side is adhering to it much and the future trade talks and are now embroiled in acrimony. Long story short, a vaccine is not close and do not rely on vague and misleading promises).
—
Trump speaking on Fox

China does not seem to like Pompeo too much – “enemy of humankind”, “highly venomous”

  
Analysis, Politics

China’s State media is attacking US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

They never have liked him much but since his comments on China and the virus, the attacks have stepped up
  • an “enemy of humankind” practicing “highly venomous” diplomacy
  • a “super-spreader” of a “political virus.”
  • “rumour monger” with a “dark mind.”
Meanwhile President Trump is back on the warpath with China:
  • Coronavirus – President Trump says China either incompetent, or let it spread
China's State media is attacking US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
The evident tensions are not a positivfe3 for further trade talks between the two countries and are a negative for risk trades  such as AUD.

US President Trump interview: Trade deal with China has been upset very badly

  
Analysis, Politics
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Trump interview with Reuters

  • says China “will do anything they can to have me lose” 2020 election
  • says looking at different options in terms of consequences for China for its handling of coronavirus crisis, says I can do a lot
  • says trade deal with China has been “upset very badly” by the coronavirus
  • says South Korea has agreed to pay united states a lot of money for defense cooperation
  • says he does not see 2020 election as a referendum on his handling of virus
  • says does not believe polls showing Biden ahead
Main points summary via Reuters.
The comments on possible retaliation against China do not read as encouraging for further trade talks. AUD down a few tics.
Trump interview with Reuters 

North Korea has extended its COVID-19 national emergency to the end of the year

  
Analysis, Politics

Radio Free Asia with the report, an unnamed source

  • a senior official in North Pyongan province, who requested anonymity due to fear of reprisal
“On the 23rd, the Central Party ordered the provincial quarantine command to extend the national emergency quarantine posture through the end of the year”
“[They] ordered stronger quarantine measures in response to the prolonged outbreak” 
NK was slow to admit they had an outbreak. At least publicly.
Radio Free Asia with the report, an unnamed source

China’s Global Times editor says Trump has committed crime, has superb lying skills

  
Analysis, Politics

Editor-in-chief of Chinese and English editions of the Global Times Hu Xijin is known for his forthright opinions.

His latest tweet directed as US President Trump::
Stop putting on a show. It is you and your team that should be held accountable for the huge losses of the US. Don’t you know that you have acted incompetently and have committed the crime of dereliction of duty? The US political system has brought up your superb skills of lying.
This comes in response to Trump saying there are many ways to hold China accountable for COVID-19.
No love lost.
Editor-in-chief of Chinese and English editions of the Global Times Hu Xijin is known for his forthright opinions.

South Korea national security adviser says Kim Jong Un is alive and well

  
Analysis, Politics

Another update on speculation surrounding North Korean leader Kim Jong Un

Earlier (if you need background)
  • Kim Jong Un might have been injured during missile tests on April 14
Now this, comments from Moon Chung-in, special adviser on national security to South Korea’s President Moon Jae, speaking on Sunday:
  • “Our government position is firm, Kim Jong-un is alive and well.”
On Monday, North Korea’s official Rodong Sinmun newspaper said that Kim had sent a message of thanks to workers on the Wonsan Kalma coastal tourism project. The paper did not carry any picture of Kim.
If Kim has kicked the bucket the talk is he will be replaced at the head of the country by his sister Kim Yo-jong.
kim yo jong

Kim Jong Un might have been injured during missile tests on April 14

  
Analysis, Politics

Speculation on the health, and whereabouts, of the North Korean dictator continue.

For back ground if you need it, I posted this over the weekend:
  • Report that China has sent a medical team to North Korea to attend to Kim Jong Un
Korean news group Dong-A Ilbo now positing:
  • North Korean leader Kim Jong Un might have been injured during the tests of short-range cruise missiles on April 14
  • missile tests such as the ones carried out on April 14 could not go ahead without the order of commander-in-chief, which suggests that Kim was well until 7 a.m. when the missiles were fired.
  • “Kim was absent from the reports of the tests while no footage of the missile launch and the training of combat aircrafts was released, which points to a possibility of an unexpected accident that might have been caused by debris or fire”
Donga cite a former high ranking North Korean official who defected. Link if you want more.
Speculation on the health, and whereabouts, of the North Korean dictator continue.
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