In The News

WTO Developing Economy Designation: Financial Times

James Politi July 28, 2019
Donald Trump wants the United States to lead in all trade matters and he is criticizing the World Trade Organization for allowing too many nations claim developing-economy status that provides special treatment. These benefits include “procedural advantages in disputes, softer tariff cuts, the ability to maintain export subsidies and weaker commitments in negotiations”. Trump specifically noted...

Russia and US Election Systems: New York Times

David E. Sanger and Catie Edmondson July 27, 2019
The US Senate Intelligence Committee has issued a heavily redacted report describing Russian intrusion into US election systems in all states. Richard Burr, the Republican committee chairman, said the US had been “blindsided,” with only a handful of federal and state officials detecting the intrusion. Hackers could have deleted or changed voter data, though there is no evidence that happened. “...

Trump Divides the US: New York Times

Julie Hirschfeld Davis July 17, 2019
Donald Trump does not tolerate criticism of his policies, wrongly equating support for him and his policies with love of country. On Twitter, he challenged four Democratic congresswomen who have lambasted the administration’s immigration policies, including overcrowded detention camps and separation of children from their parents. On Twitter, Trump urged the representatives to “go back” to the...

Trump Tries to Limit Asylum Seekers: NPR

Bill Chappell July 16, 2019
International law protects asylum seekers fleeing persecution in their home countries, ready to provide evidence that they belong to a protected class that includes race, religion, nationality, political leanings. Even so, the Trump administration is trying to impose limits, specifically targeting people crossing the US-Mexico border: “Asylum-seeking immigrants who pass through a third country en...

US Border Detentions and Chaos: Fox News

Anna Hopkins June 26, 2019
The Trump administration wants to slow migration with a costly border wall. Democrats express concern about the administration instigating chaos at the border and blaming Congress for limiting funds on border security. Agencies responsible for border security and migration are led by acting staff who hide details about the children and their treatment from attorneys, media and communities....

Lack of US Border Accountability: Pacific Standard

Jack Herrera June 25, 2019
The US government continues to separate hundreds of migrant children, detaining them in tents and warehouses with inadequate adult supervision, activities, clothing changes, bedding, nutritious food or sanitary supplies.The goal is to discourage migrants from trying to reach the US border. A US Department of Justice lawyer argued in court that the requirement for “safe and sanitary” conditions is...

China Warning on US Study: South China Morning Post

Sarah Zheng June 5, 2019
The escalating US-China trade war could last for months or years with uncertainty spreading throughout both economies. “China issued an official warning on Monday for Chinese students seeking to study in the United States, amid heightened tensions between the two countries,” reports Sarah Zhen for the South China Morning Post. “The Ministry of Education urged students and academics to ‘raise...