President Trump threatens an enormous tariff hike on China, and Individuals start to really feel the consequences of the federal government shutdown.
SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
President Trump mentioned he is assured the Israel-Hamas ceasefire will maintain. He is anticipated to be in Israel Monday to talk to the nation’s Knesset. NPR senior political contributor Ron Elving joins us. Ron, thanks for being with us.
RON ELVING, BYLINE: Good to be with you, Scott.
SIMON: How massive an achievement is that this ceasefire for President Trump?
ELVING: We’re nonetheless within the first part of watching this settlement play out, however even now, it is a vital achievement simply getting these events – Hamas with all its factions, Israel with all its factions – all coming collectively on an settlement on these phrases. So it is an enormously welcome breakthrough. And if it holds up, it might actually be a spotlight of Trump’s presidency, maybe paying homage to the best way the Camp David Accords have been the top of Jimmy Carter’s presidency. However we have not seen the return of the hostages but. We nonetheless do not know whether or not that may result in the following steps within the peace plan or doubtlessly unleash extra violence. If Trump and his workforce can maintain Bibi Netanyahu on board and if he, in flip, can management his hard-liners, it will certainly be a monument to peace and to Trump and his administration, and they’ll deserve quite a lot of credit score.
SIMON: Staying with overseas coverage for a second, the president mentioned yesterday he plans an extra 100% tariff on China beginning November 1 or sooner. Ought to we take his phrases as coverage or posturing?
ELVING: China introduced some new restrictions on the export of uncommon earths, that are minerals essential in high-tech manufacturing. Trump erupted with guarantees of payback. He mentioned he would elevate tariffs 100% on the whole lot Chinese language. Now, maybe we ought to be accustomed by now to this type of menace from Trump, particularly to gaudy numbers like 100%. However Wall Road took it significantly – had its worst day in six months, with deep losses within the midst of what has been a long-running rally for shares. So what occurs subsequent? We have seen this thrust and parry earlier than. Will Chinese language President Xi’s journey to the U.S. be canceled, and which facet will do the canceling? And we wait to see how a lot this disrupts an important buying and selling relationship on the planet – the connection between the 2 largest financial powers.
SIMON: U.S. authorities shutdown heading into its third week. Layoffs of federal staff have begun. When requested by a reporter yesterday what number of layoffs he’d licensed, the president mentioned, loads.
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PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: And will probably be Democrat-oriented as a result of we determine, you already know, they began this factor…
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON: Are you able to give us some numbers?
TRUMP: …So they need to be Democrat-oriented. It will be loads, and we’ll announce the numbers over the following couple of days. But it surely’ll be lots of people, all due to the Democrats.
SIMON: I feel he is blaming the Democrats. What extra are you able to inform us?
ELVING: Sure, he continues accountable the Democrats, and he’s overtly punishing the individuals in blue states, whether or not they’re Democrats or not. I feel everyone knows at this level that the deadlock between lawmakers in Congress has triggered federal staff to be furloughed, however fired? Their jobs are simply as mandated by laws as they have been earlier than. They’ve been assured their jobs have been protected and they might get again pay. Now the White Home is casting doubt on each.
And the cuts are concentrated in some extremely delicate departments resembling well being and treasury. We have seen the determine of 4,000 already and extra, and the aggressiveness of those firings is inflicting some heartburn amongst Republicans in addition to the focused Democrats. Republicans have voters who work for the federal authorities, too, and much more who depend upon the federal government for companies and for different issues as properly.
SIMON: Ron, are we reaching the purpose the place sufficient persons are feeling the consequences of this shutdown that we are able to anticipate some motion to deliver it to an finish?
ELVING: Individuals are feeling it, Scott, at airports, in farm nation, wherever individuals do enterprise with the federal government in any manner or depend upon it in any manner. Republicans had hoped these individuals would blame the Democrats and put stress on them. Some do and a few have, however polls present extra persons are blaming the president and his celebration. So can there be an finish in sight? Sure, when each side are prepared to speak significantly concerning the coming cuts to well being care, cuts that may damage individuals in purple states as a lot as in blue states and really probably damage them extra.
A few of Trump’s greatest counties have very excessive charges of dependence on Medicaid. Republicans say they’re prepared to speak about well being care and its prices after the shutdown ends, but when they’ve concepts and a willingness to deal with this difficulty, people who find themselves struggling are very more likely to ask, why cannot they speak now?
SIMON: NPR senior political contributor Ron Elving. Ron, thanks a lot.
ELVING: Thanks, Scott.
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