The US has more than sufficient stockpiles of weapons and is “more than capable” of resuming the war with Iran, Pete Hegseth told a defence summit hours after a meeting in Washington failed to produce a deal to end the conflict. “Our ability to recommence if necessary is we are more than capable,” the US defence secretary told the Shangri-La Dialogue, a defence summit held in Singapore on Saturday. “Our stockpiles are more than suited for that, both there and around the globe because of how we balance exquisite and…
Tag: US-Israel war on Iran
The Guardian view on India’s Iran shock: Asia’s neoliberal era starts to fracture | Editorial
The Indian prime minister’s call for sacrifice last week marks a fundamental shift. He urged the country’s 1.4 billion people to consume less fuel and fertiliser, buy less gold and curb foreign travel as global energy prices surge because of the war in Iran. The message, redolent of the Covid-era restrictions, suggests something larger: a retreat from neoliberal globalisation in Asia and the return of strategic economic management. The Hindu nationalist Narendra Modi waited for key regional elections to finish before pressing for the austerity measures. He was following other Asian…
Pomp, pageantry but precious little to show for Trump’s Beijing excursion
It was historic, to be sure, but not as anyone had predicted. First there was Donald Trump, a self-declared teetotaler, apparently drinking champagne after Xi Jinping assured him that China’s “great rejuvenation” could go hand in hand with “Make America great again”. Then there was a Chinese military band playing a rendition of the US president’s signature campaign song, YMCA. Beneath giant chandeliers, blue and gold balconies and a big orange backdrop with pagoda-style roofs, Thursday’s state banquet in Beijing featured characters whose presence would have been unthinkable here a…
Trump-Xi accord on Iran elusive as US president’s China trip winds down
Donald Trump has claimed that the US and China “feel very similar” about ending the war in Iran but offered no details about a possible breakthrough. The US president was speaking alongside Xi Jinping of China at the Zhongnanhai garden in Beijing on the second and final day of the leaders’ summit. “We did discuss Iran,” Trump said. “We feel very similar about [how] we want it to end. We don’t want them to have a nuclear weapon. We want the straits open.” He added: “We want them [Iran] to…
Stephen Colbert on Trump tanking the US economy: ‘Experts call it the poop chute’
On Wednesday, late-night hosts discussed Donald Trump’s visit to China, Marty Makary’s resignation as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner and reports of Maga’s lies over the success of the Iran war. Stephen Colbert On the Late Show, Stephen Colbert focused on Trump’s trip to China accompanied by CEOs, including Tim Cook and Elon Musk. “It is so satisfying to realize that no matter how rich or powerful you may be, there’s a chance you might get stuck on a plane with Elon Musk,” Colbert said. On Truth…
Trump and Xi meet in Beijing for key summit, with trade, the Iran war and AI set to dominate talks
US president Donald Trump has met with China’s leader Xi Jinping for a momentous summit that will pack negotiations on global conflict, international trade and the future of artificial intelligence into just over 24 hours. Trump arrived at the Great Hall of the People, an imposing Mao-era building that borders the western edge of Tiananmen Square, on Thursday morning for an opening ceremony followed by an hour of face to face talks with Xi. Rows of uniformed officers flanked the red carpet laid out in front of the Great Hall…
Trump says he ‘doesn’t think about Americans’ financial situation’ as he heads to China for talks with Xi Jinping – US politics live
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Senate confirms Kevin Warsh to 14-year-term as Federal Reserve governor – US politics live
From 16m ago Senate confirms Kevin Warsh to Fed board, with Fed chair vote likely on Wednesday The Senate earlier confirmed Kevin Warsh to a 14-year term as Federal Reserve governor, marking an important step toward Trump’s nominee succeeding Jerome Powell as the US central bank’s next chair. The upper chamber is now expected to immediately move forward with the confirmation process for Warsh’s concurrent four-year term as Fed chair, and could approve him for the leadership post as soon as tomorrow. Powell’s tenure as chair ends on Friday. Warsh’s…
The big questions hanging over the Trump-Xi meeting in China
On 20 February, a White House official confirmed that US president Donald Trump would be travelling to Beijing the following month to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Top of the agenda: the US-China trade war. One week later, Trump approved joint strikes with Israel against Iran, starting a new war in the Middle East. Its ramifications have spread far beyond the region and caused alarm in Beijing. The presidential summit was postponed. Now the highly anticipated meeting between Trump and Xi is expected to take place on 13-15 May…
Donald Trump will arrive in Beijing this week knowing that Xi holds all the cards | Simon Tisdall
Like an out-of-control wrecking ball, swinging wildly back and forth, Donald Trump smashes up the international order without much thought for the consequences. Lacking coherent strategies, workable plans or consistent aims, he power-trips erratically from one fragile region, tense warzone and complex geopolitical situation to another, leaving misery, confusion and rubble in his wake. Typically, he claims a bogus victory, demands that others repair the damage and pick up the tab, then looks around for something new to break. The president will bulldoze into another international minefield this week –…