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US President Trump says he has taken the coronavirus COVID-19 test

  
  Analysis
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Fox report Trump was tested, results are expected within 48 hours

  • “I decided I should based on the press conference yesterday people were asking that I take the test.”
Trump’s job has brought him into close contact with people confirmed as having the virus so this test is a wise step.
What we have seen so far from the progression of the infection around the globe is older people seem particularly vulnerable to the more severe impacts of the virus, along with those people with existing respiratory issues.
Fox report Trump was tested, results are expected within 48 hours

Trump signs $7.88 emergency coronavirus bill

  
  Analysis
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Trump puts pen to paper

The bill passed through Congress yesterday.
Trump puts pen to paper
Comments from Trump at the signing ceremony:
  • Says he doesn’t know if stimulus is needed (fiscal stimulus presumably)
  • Says Fed should cut rates
  • On coronavirus “we’re taking care of it”
According to Eamonn Javers of CNBC, President Trump just explained to the pool why he cancelled his CDC trip: “We may go – they thought there was a problem with CDC with somebody who had the virus,” he said, adding that the person in question has been tested and it is a negative test, “I may be going,” he added.
More from Javers: Asked by pool reporters if Congress needs to take more action to diminish risk of recession President Trump says: “all we can do is do what we do” “People were shocked” by jobs numbers, he said. He said he didn’t know if a stimulus was needed, per pool.

US President Trump is to sign the new NAFTA (USMCA) next week – Wednesday

  
Analysis, Politics
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Reuters citing an unnamed official, Trump to sign the deal between the United States, Mexico and Canada on Wednesday during a ceremony at the White House

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This United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) replaces NAFTA
It is yet to be formally approved by Canada.
The delay from CAD may be donut related? (kidding)
Reuters citing an unnamed official, Trump to sign the deal between the United States, Mexico and Canada on Wednesday during a ceremony at the White House

Trump sends letter to Pelosi criticizing impeachment process

  
  Analysis
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Letter from Pres. Trump to Speaker of the House Pelosi

The White House letter to Pelosi
  • Impeachment process cheapened
  • McConnell will decide on impeachment witness issue
  • He’ll let Senate decide when to vote on US MCA
  • Abuse of power charges completely baseless

You can read the full 6 page letter here

Global Times editor warns on China retaliation if US imposes December tariffs

  
  Analysis
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The Chinese media is keeping up with its warning messages to Trump

The tweet from Hu Xijin reads:

“Impose tariffs, China will surely retaliate, such a trade war escalation scenario has been played several times. Washington won’t be so naïve to still believe it can crush China, will it? A trade war that doesn’t result in a trade deal will only be completely denied by history.”

It’s something similar to the message sent out yesterday here. The past two days have seen the Global Times come up with constant “reminders” to the US that if they do implement tariffs at the end of this week, it could lead to more bad blood between the two countries.

Trump: US in final throes of reaching a trade deal with China

  
Analysis, Politics
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Positive comments

Reuters is carrying comments from Trump:
  • Trump says in final throes on reaching trade deal with CHina
  • Trump says US wants to see democracy in Hong Kong
This is a slightly different language. It’s the first time in a few days the President has been so optimistic.
I’m reminded that the previous line was that they were in the ‘short strokes’. The modest market reaction suggests that this kind of talk isn’t enough alone to boost sentiment.

Trump will make a statement on Syria conflict at 1500 GMT (11 am ET)

  
Analysis, Politics
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Trump comments to come later

Trump has been tweeting for the past hour with the usual stuff on impeachment and whatever else Fox Business is talking about.
Big success on the Turkey/Syria Border. Safe Zone created! Ceasefire has held and combat missions have ended. Kurds are safe and have worked very nicely with us. Captured ISIS prisoners secured. I will be making a statement at 11:00 A.M. from the White House. Thank you!
Expect the statement to be along those lines but there is always a high risk of Trump going off-script.

Trump: It is looking like Iran was responsible for attacks on Saudi Arabia

  
Analysis, Politics
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Trump comments to reporters:

  • Says he doesn’t want war with anyone but the US is prepared
  • US has a lot of options but he’s not looking at options yet; the US wants to find out who was responsible
This is going to grab headlines and might boost oil but I’m a bit less enthusiastic. Trump has a fairly strong anti-war bent that’s been one of the few consistent themes in his Presidency. There is certainly some reluctance here from him.

Donald Trump’s weekend comments on trade war escalation – regrets, retractions, and reversals

  
Analysis, Politics
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US President Trump had comments on Saturday morning on his regrets. Later reversed.

Let’s try to plot a timeline and get some sort of order, bolding mine:
1.
During a breakfast with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the sidelines of the Group of Seven meeting … a reporter asked Trump whether he had any “second thoughts” about his escalating trade war with China. 
Trump responded, “Yeah, sure. Why not. Might as well,” he said. “Might as well. I have second thoughts about everything.”
2.
Trump then claimed that talks were going well with China and that he planned to back away from some of his recent threats, such as seeking to force companies to leave China.
3.
The White House weighed in later, said Trump’s suggestion that he regretted escalating the trade war with China was “misinterpreted” and that what he regrets is not raising tariffs higher.
On the back down over ordering US companies out of China:
  • On Friday, Trump had said that “I hereby order” U.S. companies to prepare to stop doing business with China,
  • on Sunday Trump reversed this also, said he had no plans to invoke this law “I have no plans right now,” Trump said. “Actually, we’re getting along very well with China right now.”
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While Trump can be criticised on a policy level, he is very active on policy setting, on a personal level it does appear he deserves some sympathy with respect to his declining faculties. I hope he can find help and wish him well.
US President Trump had comments on Saturday morning on his regrets. Later reversed.

Trump announces fresh tariffs on Chinese products, ramping up rates by 5%

  
Analysis, Economy
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Trump makes the announcement via Twitter

On October 1, Chinia is going to be hit by fresh tariffs.
Here’s the announcement, which was clearly timed to hit moments after the FX close:
For many years China (and many other countries) has been taking advantage of the United States on Trade, Intellectual Property Theft, and much more. Our Country has been losing HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year to China, with no end in sight Sadly, past Administrations have allowed China to get so far ahead of Fair and Balanced Trade that it has become a great burden to the American Taxpayer. As President, I can no longer allow this to happen! In the spirit of achieving Fair Trade, we must Balance this very unfair Trading Relationship. China should not have put new Tariffs on 75 BILLION DOLLARS of United States product (politically motivated!). Starting on October 1st, the 250 BILLION DOLLARS of goods and products from China, currently being taxed at 25%, will be taxed at 30% Additionally, the remaining 300 BILLION DOLLARS of goods and products from China, that was being taxed from September 1st at 10%, will now be taxed at 15%. Thank you for your attention to this matter!
One thing that’s a bit unclear is the Dec 15 tariffs. I’m guessing those are still exempted until then.
All told, this isn’t that bad. It could have been worse. He’s ramping up tariffs by 5%. It’s not some kind of apocalyptic announcement but it certainly continues the trend of escalation.
trade war
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