Democrats take Congress, clouding Trump’s China and trade agenda
Why it matters: The result could intensify tariff fights while giving lawmakers more room to scrutinize trade moves that hit Asian allies.
Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in the US midterm elections, a setback for President Donald Trump that could complicate his plans on China, tariffs and Indo-Pacific policy. Analysts told Channel News Asia the shift may not produce a broad rewrite of Washington’s Asia strategy, but it could make trade policy more contested on Capitol Hill. Stephen Olson of the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute said Trump still holds wide executive power over trade and could press ahead with new Section 301 tariff actions. At the same time, Democratic gains could embolden Congress to push for exemptions and greater oversight, a prospect closely watched by allies including Japan and South Korea.
Sources
Earlier in this story
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