Donald Trump’s Trade Flip Flop
https://www.yahoo.com/news/donald-trump-trade-flip-flop-140224012.html?nhp=1
If you only read one thing: Over the course of the campaign, Donald Trump has promised to do a lot if elected president, but his promises Tuesday may be some of his boldest yet. Delivering the most detailed explanation of his economic vision for the U.S., Trump promised to reinvigorate domestic manufacturing from steel to the electronics industry, a move which would break more than three decades of declines due to trade and globalization. Advocating for the abrogation of trade agreements and higher tariffs on imports, Trump’s agenda will be a hard sell in Washington and around the world, flying in the face of the GOP’s agenda for generations. And as is often the case with Trump, it reverses his own position on globalization from just a few years ago, when he defended outsourcing and promoted globalization. It’s the latest indication that Trump views policy as something fungible—and sees the conflicting messages as an asset. His campaign goes out of its way to avoid clarifying the situation, leaving even his own supporters guessing about what he will do once in office—which is just the way Trump likes it.
Hillary Clinton called on the nation to “move on” from Benghazi after the release of the GOP report found no wrongdoing by Clinton in the 2012 terrorist attack, but the political hits will keep coming. Meanwhile, Bernie Sanders is claiming that his decision to vote for Clinton doesn’t amount to an endorsement—the same line Republicans who will vote for Trump have used.
Trump is spamming UK members of parliament. Paul Ryan calls for a free trade deal with the UK. And California to vote to legalize marijuana.
Here are your must-reads:
Must Reads
Donald Trump Declines to Clarify Contradictory Positions on Immigration and Trade
Trump finds strategy in a muddle [TIME]
What to Watch for at North American Leaders Summit
Donald Trump is not on the agenda, but will be discussed [TIME]
Benghazi Report Unknowns Will Keep Political Fight Alive
House Republicans describe the smoke, but no new fire, TIME’s Mark Thompson writes
Donald Trump Lays Out Protectionist Views in Trade Speech
Candidate rejects longstanding GOP orthodoxy by saying he would scrap NAFTA, U.S. involvement in TPP [Wall Street Journal]
How Obama will campaign for Clinton
Hillary could use a little more excitement around her candidacy. The president thinks he can help generate it by making an affirmative case for her election [Politico]
Who will show up? Who will pay?
The many unknowns of the GOP convention [The Washington Post]
Sound Off
“So, I’ll leave it to others to characterize this report, but I think it’s pretty clear that it’s time to move on.” —Hillary Clinton on the release of the Benghazi Committee’s report.
“A Trump Administration will also ensure that we start using American steel for American infrastructure.” —Donald Trump delivering his economic protectionism speech Tuesday in Pennsylvania.
Bits and Bites
Marijuana Could Be Legalized in California November Vote [Associated Press]
Donald Trump Had a Very Different Message About Trade Before He Ran For President [TIME]
Donald Trump’s Economic Nostalgia [The Upshot]
Paul Ryan urges new trade deal with the U.K. after Brexit [Washington Post]
British Politicians Demand to Exit … Donald Trump’s Fundraising List [Wall Street Journal]
Bernie Sanders just gave an amazingly condescending interview about Hillary Clinton [Washington Post]
