President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to reach a deal to avert a new 100% U.S. tariff on Chinese goods, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said following talks with Beijing’s top trade negotiator.
On NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” Bessent said a “framework” is ready for a meeting between Trump and Xi that is intended to avoid the harsher tariffs starting Nov. 1 should Beijing move forward with plans to put restrictions on rare earth minerals.
Trump arrived in Malaysia on Sunday for a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, his first stop in a five-day Asia tour that is expected to culminate Thursday in a face-to-face with Xi in South Korea.
Trade deals face progress and setbacks
The president kicked off his Asia trip by presiding over the signing of an enhanced ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia that he helped mediate earlier this year.
After the peace deal was signed, Trump — who had threatened to levy harsh tariffs on both Thailand and Cambodia if the two countries did not come to an agreement — signed a reciprocal trade agreement with Cambodia and a framework for a reciprocal trade agreement with Thailand.
Trade negotiations between Canada and the U.S. have stalled, however, with Trump threatening an additional 10% import tax on Canadian goods because of an anti-tariff television ad aired by the province of Ontario.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will also be attending the ASEAN summit, but Trump told reporters that he had no intention of meeting Carney there.
Hurricane Melissa maintained its powerful Category 4 strength Sunday as it drifted slowly toward Jamaica, forecast to bring “catastrophic” flash flooding and landslides to the Caribbean nation.
Melissa was packing maximum sustained winds of 140 mph while moving west at 3 mph, the National Hurricane Center said in a morning update. The storm was centered about 110 miles south of Kingston, Jamaica’s capital.
Forecasters said Melissa could strengthen into a Category 5 hurricane overnight before weakening back to a Category 4 as it makes landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday morning. The distinction, however, will make little difference to its impact on the island, as either category is expected to bring catastrophic destruction.
‘Meet the Press’
Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., in an interview on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” called President Donald Trump’s decisions to strike alleged drug boats in the Caribbean “murder.”
Asked whether he believed that the strikes were consistent with international law, Gallego said, “No, it’s murder.”
“It’s very simple,” he continued. “If this president feels that they’re doing something illegally, then he should be using the Coast Guard. If there’s an act of war, then you use our military, and then you come and talk to us first. But this is murder.”
Gallego’s comments come as the U.S. has said it conducted 10 strikes on alleged drug boats since September, killing dozens of people. Two of the strikes were in the eastern Pacific, and eight strikes were in the Caribbean Sea. NBC News has not independently confirmed whether the boats were carrying drugs.
Politics in brief
- 2028 taking shape: California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he would be “lying” if he denied plans to consider a presidential bid.
- We’re maybe going back: Former Vice President Kamala Harris told the BBC she could run for the White House again in the future.
- Shutdown side gig: Air traffic controllers are about to miss their first paycheck, forcing some into second jobs and igniting concerns about being overworked amid staffing shortages.
- Blame game: The U.S. Department of Agriculture posted a new message to its website blaming Democrats for the upcoming suspension of food stamps, saying assistance will halt beginning Nov. 1.
India’s top court wanted Delhi’s stray dogs gone, but it may have worsened the issue
In and around India’s capital, stray dogs are as ubiquitous as humans.
But managing their high numbers has become a test of governance and compassion. Supporters of Delhi’s stray dogs say hostility toward them has increased since India’s Supreme Court reversed an order that would have moved them all to shelters.
In its latest order, the court said that only dogs that were suffering from rabies or were hostile should be kept in shelters, while others should be dewormed, sterilized and vaccinated.
But the onus is falling on ordinary residents to carry out the plan. In any case, the dogs can become like family for those who regularly feed them.
“The way we have our homes, the streets outside are homes for the dogs,” said Geeta Gupta, who looks after about six dogs on her street. “They’re like our own children — no matter how crazy they are, we can’t just dump them.”
Aaron Rodgers finds life after Green Bay — 3 seasons and 2 teams later
When Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers plays Green Bay on “Sunday Night Football” for the first time since forcing his way out of the franchise three seasons ago, the Packers will see a quarterback who is diminished from his former MVP form — yet remains a more-than-viable starting quarterback.
“They’re asking me this week, ‘Is it a revenge game?’” Rodgers told reporters this week. “What have I got to be avenging here? They paid me a ton of money; I grew up there and spent some of the best years of my life there and have nothing but love for the organization.”
Last spring, Rodgers was cut loose by the New York Jets and entertained only a few suitors in free agency as he mulled whether to return for a 21st season. But as he nears his 42nd birthday in December, the oldest active player in the NFL has helped Pittsburgh to a 4-2 start and first place in the AFC North.
NBC News will be covering all the action.
- Former Jets star dies: Nick Mangold, one of New York’s most popular and decorated players, died at 41, less than two weeks after announcing he had kidney disease.
Notable quote
The running community, in my opinion, should be as inclusive as possible, and we should not just necessarily celebrate the people that get into these races because they can afford it.
Runner Mike Brydges on the increasing difficulty of entering the world’s top marathons
Fueled by the rise of run clubs, social media influencers and a growing interest in wellness, demand for marathons has surged in recent years. That has created tension for runners who don’t qualify as elites and can’t afford bibs bundled with travel packages that cost thousands of dollars.
In case you missed it
- One week after four thieves swept through the Louvre, the first arrests were made in a case that exposed critical security weaknesses and wounded French pride.
- The Dodgers evened the World Series with a 5-1 victory over the Blue Jays in Game 2 after pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw a complete game.
- June Lockhart, known for playing the quintessential TV mom in “Lassie” and “Lost in Space,” died at age 100.
- One person is dead and at least six others were wounded in a shooting amid homecoming festivities at Lincoln University.
- A new DNA analysis of soldiers who died after Napoleon’s doomed invasion of Russia revealed how the Grand Armeé was devastated by diseases.
