It is the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, and President Joe Biden will spend a fair part of the summer in his beloved Delaware, at Rehoboth Beach.
It’s an Atlantic Coast playground where much of Washington decamps to cool out in July and August.
However, in Washington, it is hot and the temperature is rising.
At 150 days in office, Biden has secured a complete victory on his first priorities: ending the pandemic and economic recovery.
COVID is down. The economy is up. America is on the move again.
Without any Republican votes in Congress, the American Rescue Plan was enacted and is doing its job.
Close to 70 per cent of the country will be at least partially vaccinated by Independence Day on July 4. The economy and jobs are coming back strongly, with growth forecast above 5 per cent this year.
It was with these winds at his back that Biden could meet with 30 allies in Europe, including Australia.
American allies renewed their support for US, carrying Western power into summit with Putin last week.
Biden outlined issues where the two countries could work through tough problems, such as Russia-based cyber attacks on US infrastructure; leave no doubt that the US would respond fully if provoked by Russian behaviour; and reaffirm core US values of democracy and human rights to Putin.
By all measures, Biden achieved what he wanted to accomplish.
On my first overseas trip as president, I made it clear: America is back. Diplomacy is back. And we’re ready to work side-by-side with our allies to tackle the toughest challenges of the 21st century. pic.twitter.com/fRwtmrYLhf
In the United States, it is the height of the baseball season in America, so let’s do some inside baseball analysis:
Biden returned to Washington at the next critical juncture of his presidency: to win approval in Congress of multitrillion dollar program to rebus the country and provide economic security – in education and health and opportunity – for American families.
With his decades of service in Congress, Biden wants to see whether he can do at least some of this important work in the way he prefers to do it: with bipartisan cooperation.
And that effort is underway. At the same time, he wants to hold all his Democrats together – and he needs virtually every Democratic vote in the House and Senate to win floor votes.
This is unfolding on two tracks. A smaller joint bill with some Republicans on “basic” infrastructure: roads, bridges, broadband. About a trillion dollars, and Biden wants it paid for without new taxes or user fees on the middle class.
This package may get there. We will know in the next week or so if the talks are successful.
If a deal is reached, perhaps 15 Republicans can join with most Democrats to pass it in the Senate.
However this smaller package hardly meets the ambitious program Biden and Democrats want given the urgency of the country’s needs. So, a parallel mega-bill of perhaps $5 trillion will get underway.
The test for that package is whether Democrats will hold united against withering Republican attacks on a “radical, socialist, extremist” program of “tax and spend” that will bankrupt the country.
If these scenarios play out with Biden victories, there will be some earnest rebuilding of infrastructure across the country. And people will see that things are getting better. And that will paty political dividends for Biden.
If the bipartisan talks fail, and Democrats cannot maintain the unity required to see the mega-Biden program through, then Biden’s legislative program comes to a griding halt.
That would have the most profound consequences for how much President Biden can indeed accomplish in these first four years. A home run? Or three strikes and you’re out?
Bruce Wolpe is a Ticker News US political contributor. He’s a Senior Fellow at the US Studies Centre and has worked with Democrats in Congress during President Barack Obama's first term, and on the staff of Prime Minister Julia Gillard. He has also served as the former PM's chief of staff.
In Short:
– Hamas called Trump a racist but believes he may help facilitate peace with Israel.
– Ongoing negotiations are uncertain, with Hamas optimistic despite lacking formal guarantees.
Hamas has called Donald Trump a racist and a “recipe for chaos.” However, a phone call from Trump convinced Hamas that he might facilitate a peace deal with Israel, even if they surrender their hostages.
Under the agreement, which began on Friday, Hamas will release hostages without a commitment from Israel to withdraw. This decision is seen as precarious, with fears that hostilities may resume post-release, similar to events following a previous ceasefire.
During indirect negotiations, Trump’s involvement reportedly reassured Hamas leaders, bolstering their confidence in a lasting ceasefire.
Future Uncertain
Negotiations continue over details such as the timetable for Israeli troop withdrawal.
The mediating role of Qatar and Turkey has been pivotal, alongside U.S. participation, in moving discussions forward.
Hamas has shifted its stance on hostage retention, viewing it as detrimental to global support for their cause. Nonetheless, they received no formal guarantees regarding the progression towards a more comprehensive agreement to end the conflict.
Despite awareness of the risks involved in their gamble, Hamas leaders seem optimistic about ongoing talks, with pressures from mediators fostering a sense of seriousness in negotiations from both sides.
Trump’s anticipated visit to the region is expected to reinforce these developments, even as complexities remain in finalising the terms of the deal.
In Short:
– Trump plans a 100% tariff on China from November 1, sparking stock declines and heightening tensions.
– U.S.-China relations are strained, with potential severe impacts on U.S. industries due to export restrictions.
President Trump announced plans to impose a 100% additional tariff on China effective November 1, along with new export controls on crucial software products.
The decision follows China’s recent restrictions on rare-earth minerals, essential for industries like semiconductors and electric vehicles. Trump expressed disbelief over China’s actions, which have escalated tensions that had ostensibly improved after months of trade negotiations.
The tariff announcement sparked a significant drop in U.S. stocks, marking the worst day for the S&P 500 since April.
While some administration officials advocate restarting trade talks from scratch, there is a looming opportunity for both countries to negotiate before the tariffs take effect. Trump left room for negotiations, suggesting the timeline could allow for de-escalation.
Export Controls
The conflict between the U.S. and China underscores the volatile relationship between the two major economies. Beijing’s decision to tighten export controls aims to leverage its position and weaken Trump’s negotiating stance.
The U.S. government is evaluating additional countermeasures and sanctions in response. Observers note that while both countries have expressed a desire for dialogue, securing an enduring agreement has proven challenging, with past resolutions quickly unraveling.
The potential implications of these export restrictions could be severe for various U.S. industries. Firms have warned about significant production halts if they cannot access critical rare-earth elements from China. Analysts suggest that the situation could compel both sides to reconsider their positions to prevent further economic fallout.
Israel and Hamas agree to release hostages in U.S.-brokered deal, marking a potential turning point in Gaza conflict.
In a major diplomatic breakthrough, Israel and Hamas have agreed to release all remaining Israeli hostages under a U.S.-brokered framework. The deal pairs prisoner exchanges with an Israeli troop pullback and expanded aid access, marking a potential turning point in the two-year Gaza conflict.
The agreement, set for approval by Israel’s cabinet, could pave the way for lasting peace if both sides uphold the terms. It follows weeks of negotiations led by U.S. envoys and regional mediators in Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye.
As international agencies prepare to facilitate aid and logistics, the world watches to see whether this fragile deal can hold and bring relief to millions affected by the war.
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