Senate Republicans are criticizing plans by the Trump administration to provide $12 billion in emergency aid to farmers.
The news was met with immediate pushback and criticism from Republicans, who say the administration is distorting the free market and trying to put farmers on “welfare.”
“They want trade, not aid,” Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said of farmers caught in the middle of the trade war.

“This is becoming more and more like a Soviet-type of economy here. Commissars deciding who should be granted waivers. Commissars in the administration trying to figure out how they’re going to sprinkle around benefits,” he said.

Source

Meanwhile "Kremlin: Russia not ready to accept Trump [second summit] invite to Washington"
Source

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It is naive to assume my posts are my own work

Funny, that soviet-type of economy crossed my mind too earlier.

As to Putin: He sure plays Trump like a fiddle. Only I think he will get tired soon as it's all too easy and too silly for someone who politicizes much more subtle usually. (Merkel and the dog)

Careful not to underestimate Trump supporters. While some do believe whatever he says, a large number know he's lying and buffing and they are okay with it. They like his style. As long as they see the economic results he's promised, he's doing a good job. Even those being hit by the tariffs - particularly the farmers - many of them still support him and think that the tariffs will eventually bring about positive change overall.

Working link:

Not only Putin!
The U.S. doesn't have confirmation that North Korea will release the remains of Korean War soldiers this week, despite President Trump's insistence that the process has started and Department of Defense (DOD) officials preparing for the handover. [hand over supposed to be on July 27]

Source

And let us not forget the liar in chief
Source

So far, no remains returned.

Anyway the Korean war finished in 1953 so it is hard to believe the N. Koreans went to the trouble of preserving these remains for over 60 years. Even here in Switzerland graves are not preserved for long; mostly recycled after 25 years.

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It is naive to assume my posts are my own work

Surely this is more pertinent right now?

It seems the only person not playing Trump like a fiddle is May. Sigh.

Junker off to visit Trump today. Should be fun.

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/...09900941815809

Cohen has now released the tape of him discussing with Trump paying off a Playboy model, you can hear it here. Quality is poor and it starts with an advert for visiting Guatemala.

It confirms the man who now occupies the Oval Office had contemporaneous knowledge of a proposal to buy the rights to the story of Karen McDougal, a woman who has alleged she had an extramarital affair with Trump about a decade ago.

Even Kennedy and Clinton didn't manage to shag their way out of office. Looks like another win for DT is on the way!

Very tough for Juncker if these are really Trump's aims.
So far as I understand the WTO rules are that if the U.S. and the E.U. drop all Tariffs, Barriers and Subsidies then they must allow all countries the same free access.
Then the EU (and the US) would be flooded with low price goods from the third world.
Not sure if Trump understands what he is asking for?

ftfy

Not sure that Trump
a) has ever heard of the WTO,
b) would know what "WTO" stands for, if he had heard of it,
c) would give a flying Playmate-fling for WTO rules anyway.

He'll probably turn up at the meeting stone drunk.

Isn't WTO just a typo for WTF?

Do you really think the US is going to drop $200 billion in agricultural subsidies and price guarantees?

If so, would you be interested in buying that bridge over the Rade in Geneva? I can get you a good deal ...

I know some Trump supporters who believe everything he says no matter how solid the evidence to the contrary.

The key question is now how large is his base; is it large enough to sweep him to success in 2020?

Trump now has an unprecedented high level of support by self declared Republicans in recent polls which looks great for him. On the other hand some people say this is because many people no longer claim to be Republicans so the only ones left are the Trump supporters!

If Trump can manage a quick win over tariffs then he will likely get a big increase in support.
The challenge is in knowing what will Trump accept and how willing are other countries to bend WTO rules?
The best solution would be for the US to negotiate free trade agreements with the "trade war" countries but that is a long process.

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It is naive to assume my posts are my own work

The Art of the Deal

EU commissioner suggests broad cuts to tariffs with U.S.

As I posted earlier "The best solution would be for the US to negotiate free trade agreements with the "trade war" countries but that is a long process."

From your link
Great minds think alike!

"farmers being ripped off" What is the old clown talking about? Before his tariffs they were happily exporting their products and earning money!