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In today’s edition, Kristen Welker wraps up President Donald Trump’s trip to China. Plus, we look ahead to next Tuesday’s key Republican Senate primary in Georgia.
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— Adam Wollner
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Trump’s China trips ends with more questions than answers
Analysis by Kristen Welker
President Donald Trump was hoping that he would be able to tout key wins following his trip to China. And while the optics were powerful, he is returning to the U.S. without any major breakthroughs on the thornier issues ranging from trade to Iran.
Trump told reporters on Air Force One that he had a “great visit” and highlighted an expected Chinese purchase of 200 Boeing jets as “the largest order ever.” The president said China also agreed to invest with the businesses represented on the visit and buy “billions of dollars of soybeans.” But few details on these agreements have emerged.
Perhaps the most extraordinary moment of the trip came when China’s President Xi Jinping used some of his sharpest language to date on Taiwan, warning Trump of “clashes and even conflicts” if the issue was handled poorly by the U.S., according to Chinese officials.
Notably, the U.S. did not publicly respond, raising questions as to whether Xi is the one walking away from this summit feeling emboldened. As one Republican strategist told me, it’s not clear that this trip produced any changes to China’s behavior.
According to Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, China expressed that it does not want Iran to have a nuclear weapon and wants the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened. After all, much of China’s oil comes through the strait. But again, it was not clear whether China made any commitment to actually help reopen the strait.
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Key takeaways from Trump’s trip to China
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The big question for Trump once he returns: With negotiations with Iran stalled, will he resume military action against the country? It’s certainly an option that he left on the table, and in speaking to his top allies, he’s still very much considering the possibility.
The pressure is mounting for Trump to bring the conflict to an end, especially with gas prices soaring and a majority of the public saying they disapprove of the war. A recent CNN poll found 77% of Americans believe the president’s policies have increased the cost of living, and 75% say the war in Iran has had a negative effect on their own financial situation.
We’ll delve into the latest on the U.S.-China summit and the Iran war on “Meet the Press” this Sunday with Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Chris Van Hollen, D-Md. Former FBI Director James Comey will also join me for an exclusive interview.
Georgia Senate race tests Gov. Brian Kemp’s sway in the Republican Party
By Bridget Bowman and Brennan Leach
With his time in the governor’s office coming to an end, Brian Kemp has asked Georgia voters for “one last thing.”
“Send Derek Dooley to the U.S. Senate,” the two-term Republican implored viewers in a new TV ad from his PAC that hit the airwaves this week, yet another sign that Kemp is putting all of his chips behind his preferred candidate ahead of Tuesday’s GOP Senate primary.
The question for Kemp is whether Dooley, a former college football coach and political novice, is a risky bet — or one that emphasizes his sway in one of the nation’s most tightly divided swing states, and perhaps beyond.
“If Dooley’s able to pull it off, it shows that Kemp is ready to put his own imprint on not just the Georgia Republican Party, but the national Republican Party,” said Jay Morgan, a former Georgia GOP executive director.
Morgan said he has “never seen a governor put so much of his personal capital on the line” in his 30 years of working in Georgia politics. But in doing so, Kemp is exposing himself to criticism and second-guessing as the GOP tries to break a Senate losing streak in a state it dominated for years.
“This one, the governor completely owns it,” Morgan said.
Dooley has been battling with GOP Reps. Mike Collins and Buddy Carter in the primary to take on Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff, and none of the Republicans is expected to win a majority of the primary vote Tuesday. That would push the race to a June 16 runoff between the top two vote-getters.
Collins and Carter have been casting themselves as staunch allies of President Donald Trump. While Dooley has also stressed that he supports Trump, he’s pitched himself as a political outsider, arguing Carter and Collins have records that could be used against them in November. Collins is also facing an ongoing ethics investigation into whether he misused congressional funds, allegations that Collins has dismissed as “bogus.”
“I have a very strong belief it’s going to take a political outsider to beat Jon Ossoff in this race,” Kemp said at a recent campaign event with Dooley in Habersham.
Kemp has been behind Dooley since he decided not to run for Senate himself. The two-term governor is the biggest power broker to endorse in the primary, with Trump staying on the sidelines so far.
🗞️ Today’s other top stories
- ➡️ With colleagues like these: As Xavier Becerra puts his decades of experience at the center of his California gubernatorial bid, he’s drawing criticism from some former Biden administration officials over his tenure at the Department of Health and Human Services. Read more →
- 🩺 Midterm messaging: One think tank is pushing the Democratic Party to embrace a new idea: free primary health care for all Americans. Read more →
- 🚫 Calling it quits: Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen announced that he won’t run for re-election after a redistricting push in Tennessee carved up his Memphis-based district. Read more →
- 🗺️ Redistricting roundup: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ attempt to do away with anti-gerrymandering provisions in the state constitution had its first day in court, as opposing attorneys pushed a Tallahassee judge to put a temporary hold on a new congressional map that created four additional GOP-leaning seats. Read more →
- ⚖️ SCOTUS watch: Facing calls to step aside in a major upcoming case involving climate change, conservative Justice Samuel Alito is pushing back, with a Supreme Court spokeswoman saying he has no conflict that would require recusal. Read more →
- 💊 SCOTUS watch, cont.: The Supreme Court ensured that the abortion pill mifepristone can continue to be available by mail without an in-person appointment with a clinician. Read more →
- 📈 In the market: Trump disclosed at least $220 million in financial transactions earlier this year involving the securities of major U.S. companies. Read more →
- 🏛️ On the Hill: The House Ethics Committee announced it is investigating Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., over allegations that he “may have created or fostered a hostile work environment and engaged in sexual harassment.” Read more →
- 🇨🇺 Cuba update: CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with Cuban officials in Havana yesterday. Read more →
That’s all From the Politics Desk for now. Today’s newsletter was compiled by Adam Wollner.
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