Uncertain future for Trump after midterm elections
The predicted 'blue wave' might not have materialised but the Democrats did enough to seize control of the House of Representatives in the midterm elections in the US - a change that could spell trouble for President Donald Trump.
7 November 2018Typically, though, Mr Trump appeared unabashed by the results and hailed the elections as a "tremendous success" after the Republicans increased their slim majority in the Senate.The fact is, though, that the president will face the sort of congressional opposition he has not encountered before with the Democrat majority in the lower house capable of blocking his domestic agenda, including the construction of the Mexican wall.Analysts were comparing Mr Trump's new position with that of his predecessor, Barack Obama, who found him hamstrung after the Democrats' woeful performance in the 2010 midterms.
House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, who is expected to become speaker, told cheering supporters in Washington that her party's success would restore the "checks and balances" in government, adding: "Thanks to you, tomorrow will be a new day in America."The Democrats might well try to rein in some of Mr Trump’s fiscal spending plans and there could be a real risk of an impasse on expenditure, leading to the possibility of further government shutdowns.The new-found congressional opposition, however, might be the least of the president's most immediate worries. Vanity Fair is reporting that Special Counsel Robert Mueller will deliver his report into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election as early as this week and, certainly, before the end of November.Aides are reportedly concerned that the Mueller report could accuse Mr Trump’s son, Donald Jr, of lying to investigators when he claimed he had not told his father beforehand about the infamous Trump Tower meeting in June 2016.And adding to Mr Trump’s problems could be the threatened investigation by the newly-established Democratic majority in the House into the Trump Organisation’s finances, including the president's tax affairs.The one area unlikely to be affected by the elections is US foreign policy, including trade, where Mr Trump will retain his influence regardless of congressional opposition.Presidential executive powers give the incumbent authority over government agencies and regulations, and do allow him (so far, there has not been a 'her') to circumvent congress on most foreign policy matters.That means the trade war with China is unlikely to abate. CNN commented on Wednesday: "If agenda, but if anxious politicians in Beijing think (a Democratic majority in the House) means a reprieve from the White House, they should think again."China is one of the few policy areas where there is some bipartisan consensus. The Democrats broadly agree that the US should take tougher action against the rising power across a range of fronts, from the military, to trade, intelligence and diplomacy."In the UK, Hamish Muress, a currency expert at OFX, said: "UK businesses should take note of the different scenarios that could play out in the US midterms, as they are likely to affect the dollar’s performance against the pound, as well as any prospects for a future UK-US trade deal."For related news and features, visit our US section.Relocate’s new Global Mobility Toolkit provides free information, practical advice and support for HR, global mobility managers and global teams operating overseas.
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House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, who is expected to become speaker, told cheering supporters in Washington that her party's success would restore the "checks and balances" in government, adding: "Thanks to you, tomorrow will be a new day in America."The Democrats might well try to rein in some of Mr Trump’s fiscal spending plans and there could be a real risk of an impasse on expenditure, leading to the possibility of further government shutdowns.The new-found congressional opposition, however, might be the least of the president's most immediate worries. Vanity Fair is reporting that Special Counsel Robert Mueller will deliver his report into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election as early as this week and, certainly, before the end of November.Aides are reportedly concerned that the Mueller report could accuse Mr Trump’s son, Donald Jr, of lying to investigators when he claimed he had not told his father beforehand about the infamous Trump Tower meeting in June 2016.And adding to Mr Trump’s problems could be the threatened investigation by the newly-established Democratic majority in the House into the Trump Organisation’s finances, including the president's tax affairs.The one area unlikely to be affected by the elections is US foreign policy, including trade, where Mr Trump will retain his influence regardless of congressional opposition.Presidential executive powers give the incumbent authority over government agencies and regulations, and do allow him (so far, there has not been a 'her') to circumvent congress on most foreign policy matters.That means the trade war with China is unlikely to abate. CNN commented on Wednesday: "If agenda, but if anxious politicians in Beijing think (a Democratic majority in the House) means a reprieve from the White House, they should think again."China is one of the few policy areas where there is some bipartisan consensus. The Democrats broadly agree that the US should take tougher action against the rising power across a range of fronts, from the military, to trade, intelligence and diplomacy."In the UK, Hamish Muress, a currency expert at OFX, said: "UK businesses should take note of the different scenarios that could play out in the US midterms, as they are likely to affect the dollar’s performance against the pound, as well as any prospects for a future UK-US trade deal."For related news and features, visit our US section.Relocate’s new Global Mobility Toolkit provides free information, practical advice and support for HR, global mobility managers and global teams operating overseas.
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