Page 4 - ARUBA TODAY

A4 U.S. NEWS
Tuesday 29 May 2018

Trump’s trade agenda runs into reality of global geopolitics

By KEN THOMAS ment will lift a seven-year
Associated Press ban on ZTE buying com-
WASHINGTON (AP) — Presi- ponents from U.S. compa-
dent Donald Trump’s hard- nies. The ban, imposed this
line views on trade, a staple month, threatened to put
of his message long before ZTE out of business.
he entered politics, are be- Trump said earlier that a
ginning to collide with the resolution would help U.S.
cold realities of global geo- firms that supply ZTE with
politics. components, but members
Trade talks on China and of Congress, including sev-
the North American Free eral Republicans, warned
Trade Agreement have hit that the U.S. is being too
stumbling blocks, posing a lenient on a company that
challenge for a president has violated U.S. sanctions.
who vowed to make trade “ZTE presents a national se-
deals more equitable for curity threat to the United
the United States during his States — and nothing in this
2016 campaign and who reported deal addresses
famously tweeted that that fundamental fact,”
trade wars are “easy to said Sen. Chris Van Hollen,
win.” a Maryland Democrat. “If
Trump’s trade agenda — at President Trump won’t put
least lately — has not been In this May 21, 2018, file photo, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin talks with reporters about trade our security before Chinese
so easy. with China outside of the White House in Washington. jobs, Congress will act on
After threatening China Associated Press a bipartisan basis to stop
with $150 billion in tariffs, Pointing to a pause in the remain about whether adviser to Trump’s cam- him.”
Trump’s administration trade dispute, the admin- China will address allega- paign and transition team, Trump’s team, meanwhile,
has suspended plans to istration pointed to China’s tions the Chinese engage last Monday. has hit an impasse with
impose the tariffs for now plans to “significantly in- in cybertheft of trade se- Separately, on Friday, the Canada and Mexico on
and the president tweeted crease” its purchases of crets, force U.S. companies U.S. reached a deal on ZTE negotiations over NAFTA.
Wednesday that a “differ- U.S. goods and services to transfer some of their Corp. that will allow the The president has sought to
ent structure” would be and make “meaningful technology in exchange Chinese telecommunica- overhaul NAFTA as a way
needed in the trade talks increases” in U.S. exports for market access or back tions giant to remain in busi- of returning automobile
involving the world’s two of agriculture and energy away from its China 2025 ness. Under the deal, ZTE production to the U.S. and
largest economies. products. Financial mar- plan to dominate emerg- will oust its management reduce America’s trade
The president has be- kets, wary of a calamitous ing technologies. team, hire American com- deficit with Mexico.
moaned the massive U.S. trade war, were relieved. “Chinese r laughing at us pliance offers and pay a But the talks are running
trade deficit with China — But Beijing did not agree to again. They have never de- fine — on top of the $1 bil- into the complications of
$337 billion last year — as any specific dollar amounts, livered on 1 promise in the lion it’s already paid for sell- Mexican elections in July
evidence that Beijing has despite the Trump adminis- past. Appeasement is the ing equipment to North Ko- and the U.S. midterm elec-
been complicit in abusive tration’s push to lower the devils friend,” tweeted Dan rea and Iran in violation of tions in November along
trading practices and out- U.S. trade deficit by at least DiMicco, a former Nucor U.S. sanctions. In return, the with a dispute over rules for
smarted his predecessors. $200 billion. And doubts steel chairman and trade U.S. Commerce Depart- car production.q

U.S. Rep. says he’s battling alcoholism, drops re-election bid

he will no longer seek re- for an interview. “This isn’t an ending for me,
election, saying he needs A former prosecutor and or my values of service to
to work on recovering from state senator, Garrett is a my fellow man, it’s just a
alcoholism and renewing libertarian-leaning con- new beginning,” Garrett
his commitment to his fam- servative who advocated said.
ily. for looser marijuana laws Garrett was up against
Garrett made the an- and was a member of the Democrat Leslie Cock-
nouncement in a video re- House Freedom Caucus. burn, a former reporter for
corded at the state Capitol His decision to resign came 60 Minutes and Vanity Fair
in Richmond. It was first re- abruptly. Last week he held who has never run for of-
ported by The Washington a long, rambling news con- fice before. She has said
Post. ference to deny reports he her opposition to President
“Any person — Republican, was thinking of dropping his Donald Trump helped spur
Democrat or Independent bid for a second term. her run.
— who’s known me for any Garrett’s tepid fundraising Republican Party officials
period of time and has any had worried members of in the 5th District will pick a
In this Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015, file photo, then-state Sen. Thom- integrity, knows two things: I his party, but he said his de- replacement candidate in
as Garrett, R-Buckingham, speaks during a debate on a bill dur- am a good man and I am cision not to seek another coming days. Trump won
ing the Senate session at the Capitol in Richmond, Va. an alcoholic,” Garrett said. term was not motivated by the district by 11 percent-
Associated Press “This is the hardest state- fear of losing his seat. Gar- age points and several
ALAN SUDERMAN Republican Congressman ment that I have ever pub- rett said “sometimes win- Republicans could jockey
Associated Press Thomas Garrett of Virginia licly made, by far.” ning means knowing where to replace Garrett on the
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — announced Monday that Garrett declined a request your priorities should be.” ballot.q