• Trump: domestic problems are not receding, with a new book by well-respected author Bob Woodward painting a damaging picture of the current administration. A senior member of the Trump team apparently described themselves as part of the resistance in a New York Times article. The negotiations with Mueller over a potential interview with the president continued to push towards a stalemate and court cases. • U.S.-China: while talks aimed at reducing trade tensions continue Trump said that he is not ready to make a deal. The president did say that he has tariffs ready to go on another US$267bn of Chinese imports. The public consultation period regarding the next US$200bn of tariffs ended Thursday night but the U.S. Trade Representative’s office received 6,000 submissions and these will need to be evaluated before any action. • North Korea: after the cancellation of senior-level U.S. administration trips to Pyongyang the predictable move back towards some kind of improvement in relations materialized. The South Koreans are working hard to keep a process going – a third summit for the two Korean presidents will be held 18th-20th September. The U.S. has upped the ante by accusing North Korea of orchestrating global cyber crimes.
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