Archives of “Political positions of Donald Trump” tag

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Trump says that if China does not buy US goods the US will end the trade deal

  
  Analysis
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Trump referring to phase 1 of the US-China deal

On the face of it this sort of comment makes sense – if one side does not uphold it then the deal is in danger yes. The more applicable interpretation though is that tensions between the US and China are increasing, not only placing the existing deal in peril but making progress on further phases unlikely, or at least slower.
Oh, here we go, more on another source of tension being stoked by the US administration:
  • Strong report coming on how the virus developed in China

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 

US President Trump halts funding to the WHO

  
  Analysis
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US funding to the World Health Organisation has been stopped by Trump

  • while US reviews virus warnings regarding China
  • says WHO was late to examine outbreak in China.
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The US contributes around 400m USD to WHO each year, more than any other country.
  • The WHO yearly budget is around 4.8 b USD.
  • WHO uses the money for vaccine trials, distributing test kits, advising governments around the world and such.

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.

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.
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