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Senate passes massive budget deal hailed by Trump as 'phenomenal' – live Trump announces new 10% tariff on Chinese imports starting in September – live
(32 minutes later)
In practical terms, Trump’s new tariffs mean many products could soon become more expensive, as a Washington Post reporter noted:
Boom. Trump says tariffs on all remaining imports from China will start on September 1st.It's a more modest 10% tariff, but the bottom line is: iPhonesBaby productsetc. are all going to be more expensive very soon. https://t.co/FHO3RdFqhx
In political terms, Trump is acknowledging that all of the progress his administration was allegedly making with Beijing was never realized, as a CNN reporter explained:
Pretty big news here: Trump announcing new tariffs on China starting Sept. 1 AND acknowledging that the concessions the admin has been touting that they got from China never actually materialized. https://t.co/rCPR7knBrO
Stock markets had a swift, negative reaction to Donald Trump’s announcement that his administration would impose a 10 percent tariff on $300 billion of Chinese goods starting next month:
And .... there goes your rally. pic.twitter.com/gafnzCt8jv
Trump has consistently bragged about the success of stock markets during his presidency. But his trade threats have repeatedly upended that success, damaging a key talking point for his reelection bid.
Donald Trump announced over Twitter that his administration’s trade talks with China have been deteriorating.
As negotiations continue, Trump said he would impose a 10 percent tariff on the remaining $300 billion worth of Chinese imports starting Sept. 1.
...buy agricultural product from the U.S. in large quantities, but did not do so. Additionally, my friend President Xi said that he would stop the sale of Fentanyl to the United States – this never happened, and many Americans continue to die! Trade talks are continuing, and...
...We look forward to continuing our positive dialogue with China on a comprehensive Trade Deal, and feel that the future between our two countries will be a very bright one!
Joe Biden’s campaign clarified his stance on fossil fuels after the former vice president got into a heated back-and-forth last night with Jay Inslee, who has centered his campaign around the climate crisis.
Inslee argued that Biden’s plan did not address the climate crisis with the urgency required to try to turn the tide. “Look these deadlines are set by science,” Inslee told Biden. “Mr Vice President, your argument is not with me, it’s with science. And unfortunately your plan is just too late.”
When Biden was pressed on whether there would be a place for fossil fuels in his administration, he initially stumbled. “We will work it out,” he said. “We will make sure it’s eliminated and no more subsidies for either of those, any fossil fuels.”
His campaign has now clarified that answer, per our climate reporter Emily Holden:
An answer on Biden’s confusing statement on fossil fuels last night. No, he wouldn’t phase out coal and gas under his administration. #climate pic.twitter.com/1SRe5gVsVO
Meanwhile, the Republican National Committee released its logo for the 2020 nominating convention in Charlotte:Meanwhile, the Republican National Committee released its logo for the 2020 nominating convention in Charlotte:
The 2020 GOP convention logo per the RNC: pic.twitter.com/hcyi1tV2JEThe 2020 GOP convention logo per the RNC: pic.twitter.com/hcyi1tV2JE
And it prompted some questions, like this one:And it prompted some questions, like this one:
The elephant I get. But what's behind it? Is that the monster from Stranger Things? https://t.co/GEeTylXPB8The elephant I get. But what's behind it? Is that the monster from Stranger Things? https://t.co/GEeTylXPB8
But the Republican Party is facing some larger problems in Charlotte -- namely that many in the North Carolina city don’t want the convention to be hosted there.But the Republican Party is facing some larger problems in Charlotte -- namely that many in the North Carolina city don’t want the convention to be hosted there.
Charlotte’s city council narrowly approved the RNC contract last summer, and local leaders are now having second thoughts on it, as HuffPost reports.Charlotte’s city council narrowly approved the RNC contract last summer, and local leaders are now having second thoughts on it, as HuffPost reports.
The council even discussed the possibility last week of backing out of the agreement, but it was determined that the legal costs associated with such a move would be too steep.The council even discussed the possibility last week of backing out of the agreement, but it was determined that the legal costs associated with such a move would be too steep.
The budget bill does lift the debt ceiling into July 2021, but it does not necessarily prevent a government shutdown, as a CQ Roll Call reporter noted:The budget bill does lift the debt ceiling into July 2021, but it does not necessarily prevent a government shutdown, as a CQ Roll Call reporter noted:
Seeing a lot of tweets and stories saying this bill averts the threat of a government shutdown. It doesn't. Congress needs to pass and the president needs to sign all 12 spending bills (or a continuing resolution) to avoid a shutdown when the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1. https://t.co/6M904fnRs5Seeing a lot of tweets and stories saying this bill averts the threat of a government shutdown. It doesn't. Congress needs to pass and the president needs to sign all 12 spending bills (or a continuing resolution) to avoid a shutdown when the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1. https://t.co/6M904fnRs5
Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, who opposed the budget deal, introduced an amendment earlier today to cut and cap spending while introducing a constitutional amendment to balance the budget over the next decade.Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, who opposed the budget deal, introduced an amendment earlier today to cut and cap spending while introducing a constitutional amendment to balance the budget over the next decade.
The amendment was easily defeated, with only 23 Republicans backing the proposal.The amendment was easily defeated, with only 23 Republicans backing the proposal.
“Today is the final nail in the coffin. The Tea Party is no more,” Paul said of the deal’s approval.“Today is the final nail in the coffin. The Tea Party is no more,” Paul said of the deal’s approval.
Both parties have deserted – have absolutely and utterly deserted – America and show no care and no understanding and no sympathy for the burden of debt they are leaving the taxpayers, the young, the next generation, and the future of our country. https://t.co/z0ZD27xY0UBoth parties have deserted – have absolutely and utterly deserted – America and show no care and no understanding and no sympathy for the burden of debt they are leaving the taxpayers, the young, the next generation, and the future of our country. https://t.co/z0ZD27xY0U
The Republicans who opposed the budget deal argued that the legislation would put the US on an increasingly unstable fiscal path, as Senator Mitt Romney of Utah explained in a Twitter video:The Republicans who opposed the budget deal argued that the legislation would put the US on an increasingly unstable fiscal path, as Senator Mitt Romney of Utah explained in a Twitter video:
About to vote on the budget and debt limit deal, which I’m opposing because it adds another $2 trillion to the debt. We need a new track to repair our fiscal foundation and save our children & grandchildren from a future debt crisis. pic.twitter.com/Wu2JgmX583About to vote on the budget and debt limit deal, which I’m opposing because it adds another $2 trillion to the debt. We need a new track to repair our fiscal foundation and save our children & grandchildren from a future debt crisis. pic.twitter.com/Wu2JgmX583
But Mitch McConnell told the dissenting members of his caucus that they should defer to the president’s support of the deal.But Mitch McConnell told the dissenting members of his caucus that they should defer to the president’s support of the deal.
“This is the agreement the administration has negotiated,” the Senate majority leader said on the floor this morning. “This is the deal the House has passed. This is the deal President Trump is waiting [for] and eager to sign into law. This is the deal that every member of this body should support when we vote later this morning.”“This is the agreement the administration has negotiated,” the Senate majority leader said on the floor this morning. “This is the deal the House has passed. This is the deal President Trump is waiting [for] and eager to sign into law. This is the deal that every member of this body should support when we vote later this morning.”
The Senate passed the massive spending bill negotiated between Nancy Pelosi and Steven Mnuchin by a vote of 67-28.The Senate passed the massive spending bill negotiated between Nancy Pelosi and Steven Mnuchin by a vote of 67-28.
The bill, which would lift the debt ceiling until 2021 and increase spending by $320 billion over two years, is now headed to Donald Trump’s desk.The bill, which would lift the debt ceiling until 2021 and increase spending by $320 billion over two years, is now headed to Donald Trump’s desk.
A narrow majority of Senate Republicans backed the bill, thanks to lobbying from majority leader Mitch McConnell. Trump had pushed more Republicans to support the legislation after about two-thirds of House Republicans voted against it.A narrow majority of Senate Republicans backed the bill, thanks to lobbying from majority leader Mitch McConnell. Trump had pushed more Republicans to support the legislation after about two-thirds of House Republicans voted against it.
In an effort to sway more Republicans, Trump ominously suggested he may roll back the spending increases sooner rather than later:In an effort to sway more Republicans, Trump ominously suggested he may roll back the spending increases sooner rather than later:
Budget Deal is phenomenal for our Great Military, our Vets, and Jobs, Jobs, Jobs! Two year deal gets us past the Election. Go for it Republicans, there is always plenty of time to CUT!Budget Deal is phenomenal for our Great Military, our Vets, and Jobs, Jobs, Jobs! Two year deal gets us past the Election. Go for it Republicans, there is always plenty of time to CUT!
This is Joanie Greve, taking over for Adam Gabbatt.This is Joanie Greve, taking over for Adam Gabbatt.
Here is where the day stands so far:Here is where the day stands so far:
Donald Trump initiated a phone call with Vladimir Putin yesterday to offer “help and assistance” in combating Siberia’s wildfires. Or at least that was what the Kremlin reported over Twitter. The White House initially would not even confirm the call had taken place.Donald Trump initiated a phone call with Vladimir Putin yesterday to offer “help and assistance” in combating Siberia’s wildfires. Or at least that was what the Kremlin reported over Twitter. The White House initially would not even confirm the call had taken place.
Kelly Knight Craft was confirmed as the next US ambassador to the United Nations, overcoming Democrats’ objections about her family’s ties to the fossil fuel industry.Kelly Knight Craft was confirmed as the next US ambassador to the United Nations, overcoming Democrats’ objections about her family’s ties to the fossil fuel industry.
More analysis continues to roll in from this week’s Democratic debates. But for many candidates, it might have been their last debate. Only seven candidates so far have qualified for the September debate.More analysis continues to roll in from this week’s Democratic debates. But for many candidates, it might have been their last debate. Only seven candidates so far have qualified for the September debate.
The blog is also covering the budget deal headed to Trump’s desk and the climbing number of Democrats calling for an impeachment inquiry. Stay tuned.The blog is also covering the budget deal headed to Trump’s desk and the climbing number of Democrats calling for an impeachment inquiry. Stay tuned.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has just retweeted this, from meteorologist Eric Holthaus. It’s not good news.
Yesterday was the warmest day in recorded history on the Greenland ice sheet.Today is its biggest melt day. More than 12 billion tons of water will have entered the ocean by tonight, permanently raising sea levels.We are in a climate emergency.https://t.co/WUL0v2CW8O https://t.co/FnGMFZ1IsC
At Rolling Stone, Holthaus writes:
The record-setting heat wave that sweltered northern Europe last week has moved north over the critically vulnerable Greenland ice sheet, triggering temperatures this week that are as much as 25 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than normal.
Weather models indicate Tuesday’s temperature may have surpassed 75 degrees Fahrenheit in some regions of Greenland, and a weather balloon launched near the capital Nuuk measured all-time record warmth just above the surface. That heat wave is still intensifying, and is expected to peak on Thursday with the biggest single-day melt ever recorded in Greenland. On August 1 alone, more than 12 billion tons of water will permanently melt away from the ice sheet and find its way down to the ocean, irreversibly raising sea levels globally.
Donald Trump is relying on lots of Democratic votes to pass his budget deal in the Senate, with many Republicans opposed to the amount of borrowing, according to Associated Press.
The bill passed in the House last week, and is up for a vote in the Senate today. From AP:
Democrats in the GOP-controlled Senate appeared poised to deliver most of their votes for the deal, but many of the more solidly conservative Republicans said it allowed for unchecked borrowing and too much spending.
According to libertarian-ish senator Rand Paul, the passing of this budget will mean “the tea party is no more”, which I can’t imagine will upset too many people:
“Adoption of this deal marks the death of the tea party movement in America. Fiscal conservatives those who remain should be in mourning for Congress. Both parties have deserted you.”
Only seven candidates have qualified for the next Democratic debates, according to the New York Times.
They are: Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg, Kamala Harris, Cory Booker and Beto O’Rourke.
That’s less than a third of the 24 ‘major’ Democrats in the field. To qualify, Democrats need 130,000 individual donors, and to have broken 2% in at least four polls.
Apparently three others are close: Julian Castro, Andrew Yang and Amy Klobuchar, but that would still mean ABC cutting the debate schedule to one night. (There’ll just be one debate if 10 or fewer candidates qualify.)
Of the 14 Democrats not mentioned above:
Only three candidates have even a single qualifying poll to their name: the impeachment activist Tom Steyer (2 polls), Representative Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii (1) and former Gov. John Hickenlooper of Colorado (1).
August 28 is the cut off point for Dems to achieve the qualification quota.
Here he is:
China, Iran & other foreign countries are looking at the Democrat Candidates and “drooling” over the small prospect that they could be dealing with them in the not too distant future. They would be able to rip off our beloved USA like never before. With President Trump, NO WAY!
And another!
Budget Deal is phenomenal for our Great Military, our Vets, and Jobs, Jobs, Jobs! Two year deal gets us past the Election. Go for it Republicans, there is always plenty of time to CUT!
Kamala Harris has picked up an endorsement this morning, from Michigan congresswoman Brenda Lawrence. Harris attended an event held by Lawrence, whose district includes much of east Detroit. That’s handy, I guess, given Michigan’s importance in the presidential election, although Michigan is one of the later states to vote in the actual Democratic primaries.
Sen. Kamala Harris attends pre-debate reception hosted by Rep. Brenda Lawrence at the Whittier in Detroit. pic.twitter.com/hvcfUrBXOY
Earlier this morning Julian Castro was endorsed by the Latino Victory Fund, a group which aims to build Latino political power.
According to FiveThirtyEight’s endorsement tracker, Harris is second to only Joe Biden in endorsements from governors, senators, representatives and suchlike. Interestingly, Cory Booker is third, making up a podium of centrists.
Pompeo criticizes China after meeting
Secretary of state Mike Pompeo earlier today criticized China’s actions in Asia, after meeting his Chinese counterpart for the first time this year amid political tension between the two countries.
He spoke out against Chinese “coercion” of southeast Asian neighbors in disputes over the South China Sea and the People’s Republic’s dam-building on the Mekong River, which causes problems for countries down-river.
Pompeo spoke at a meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Reuters reports.
After meeting China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, Pompeo said both countries wanted to improve ties that have soured on issues ranging from trade, US sanctions on Chinese telecoms giant Huawei, issues over Taiwan and the busy South China Sea waterway.
“We are working with them on many fronts,” Pompeo said. “But we are also very candid about the places we are hoping China will behave in ways that they are not behaving today and we talked about each of those as well.”
Donald Trump has congratulated this morning Kelly Knight Craft after her confirmation by the Senate, over Democrats’ objections, to become the new US ambassador to the United Nations.
The President praised her on Twitter this morning.
Congratulations to Kelly Knight Craft of #Kentucky on her confirmation as United Nations Ambassador. After having served so admirably as Ambassador to Canada, & having done an outstanding job no matter how difficult the task, Kelly will be fantastic at the United Nations. Winner!
Craft was nominated in February, a week after Trump’s first choice to replace Nikki Haley at the UN, the former Fox News host and state department spokeswoman Heather Nauert, withdrew her candidacy.
During the congressional confirmation process, Craft struggled to allay Democrats’ concerns about her family’s significant investments in the fossil fuel industry, though notably she separated herself from the president on the topic of the climate crisis. Craft believes fossil fuels and human behavior contribute to the crisis. The planet is facing critical issues such as dangerous global heating, now, an alarming increase in severe weather patterns.
On climate change, “Let there be no doubt,” she said, as reported yesterday by the Washington Post.
White House on the call with Putin
Don’t hold your breath, here’s the latest statement from the White House:
President Donald J. Trump spoke with President Vladimir Putin today and expressed concern over the vast wildfires afflicting Siberia. The leaders also discussed trade between the two countries.”
Some on the interwebs see this as a strong overture/naked appeal for fully restored bilateral relations between the US and Russia.
Candidates look fresh as daisies
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado and Senator Kamala Harris of California all appeared on CNN’s New Day breakfast news program this morning shortly after the 7AM mark, after what must have been very little sleep.
Maybe that’s not so surprising but what was astonishing was how refreshed they looked. Not even a tiny snack bag under the eye, not a hair out of place, eyes twinkling. TV make-up can only cover so much.
Gillibrand walked up on to the little CNN TV stage, which they’ve set up in a half-indoors, half-outdoors style outside the debate venue in Detroit, with a large cup of coffee but looking utterly impeccable in a blue dress and with sharp answers.
And Harris and Bennet were laughing. Of course they all denied it was a cage fight/Hunger Games contest the night before, that the first 20 minutes was lost in a wonk forest on healthcare and they ate each other, not the Republicans. But you’ve got to hand it to these three for their energy.
When the CNN hosts asked Harris how she was coping on no sleep, she cheerily cited the Godfather and said it was “the business we’ve chosen.”
For all the amazing analysis of last night’s event, check out my colleagues’ stories leading our US online front page today. Here’s our Sabrina Siddiqui’s main story.
Joe Biden stands his ground and resists rivals' attacks in testy second debate
I honestly can’t promise that this pic matches Harris’s quote. But here’s the inimitable Marlon Brando, and it’s The Godfather, so.
•Donald Trump initiated a call with Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, the Kremlin says, in a move Putin hopes will restore “fully fledged bilateral relations”. The White House did not initially reveal the call had taken place – news instead coming from the Russian foreign ministry’s Twitter feed. Russia said Trump had offered “help and assistance” in fighting wildfires in Siberia. The White House belatedly confirmed the call on Wednesday night.
Telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump https://t.co/C3OsPCeBO1
•The main Democratic candidates are cooling themselves off (probably) after last night’s debate. Some (Joe Biden) will be happy they don’t have to do this again for five weeks, while the likes of Cory Booker, who put in a good performance, probably wish they could go again sooner. Many of the contenders we’ve seen over the last two nights won’t be debating again at all, given the stricter requirements for the 12 September debate. Fewer than half the main contenders have qualified so far.
•The Guardian’s panelists were largely unimpressed with the debate spectacle. Joe Biden was ailing on climate change, Kate Aronoff reckoned, while Jessa Crispin lamented that the stage was made up of: “Lackluster candidates all around.” Our man David Smith says the Democratic party is yet to find the one, which “will suit Donald Trump just fine”.