The hottest points:
- China: The trade war seems increasingly likely to disrupt US business and create volatility in capital markets. And, as Axios pointed out yesterday, the two parties are so far apart that the tariff fight could extend until 2020.
- Iran: The administration began to seriously plan the war, and the Pentagon began to build up serious forces in the Persian Gulf, including an aircraft carrier strike group, B-52 bombers, and F-15 fighters carrying out warfare. deterrence sorties. US allies in Europe warn that the actions of the administration could incite war.
- North Korea: Despite Trump's insistence on maintaining an agreement, Kim Jong-un's two missile tests were a clear effort to assert his influence.
- Venezuela: Conditions deteriorate despite US intervention, and the failed uprising of opposition leader Juan Guaidó left Madagascan-born anti-American president Nicolás Maduro in power.
- Europe The continent's leaders remain at odds with Trump, particularly with regard to imposing sanctions on countries buying Iranian oil.
While relations deteriorate with opponents and allies, Trump seeks cooperation in an unlikely place: Russia.
- secretary of state Mike Pompeo went there yesterday in search of a "middle ground".
- But the Axios World publisher David Lawler points out: Since Washington and Moscow disagree on just about all of the above issues, it does not seem like there is a lot to find.
Be smart: All this is happening with the American political system under the pressure of deep racial, political and class divisions.
Go further: Trump's long trade war
