Trump’s diplomatic blitz may offer little election relief
SPY•Trump’s meetings with foreign leaders this week produced no obvious breakthroughs, though a trade truce with China was extended into the new year. His approval rating fell to 32%, while about half of voters say the cost of living is the most important issue in the midterm elections.
1. Diplomacy and the midterms
Trump’s week included meetings at the United Nations General Assembly and a White House state dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping. The visit extended a trade truce due to expire in November into the new year, but there was little movement on the war with Iran, which has driven up fuel prices.
2. Voters focus on prices
A Reuters/Ipsos poll put Trump’s approval rating at 32%, the lowest of his political career. About half of voters said the cost of living was the most important issue in congressional elections, compared with roughly one in five citing democratic norms and about one in 10 citing immigration.
3. Economic pressure on Republicans
Two Republicans in tight Senate races called for a swift end to the Iran war, while the Senate narrowly rejected a resolution calling for the same. Trump said he did not expect the war to end by Election Day; Iran’s president said the country “will not bow to pressure.”
