In Kentucky, Gov. Matt Bevin is courting both Trump and China as he seeks reelection.
By Tim Craig Tim Craig National reporter Email Bio Follow May 23 at 7:53 PM LEXINGTON, Ky. — Gov. Matt Bevin gathered 400 Chinese political and business leaders here to deliver a simple message: U.S. states, and especially Kentucky, want a lucrative relationship with them that rises above President Trump’s ongoing trade dispute with China.
That’s especially true here in Kentucky, where there are signs the trade dispute is rattling the state’s soybean and bourbon industries. “This is going to be a tricky thing for Bevin to navigate because he has been staunchly pro-trade and has aligned with his economic views with a strictly market-based approach,” said one veteran Kentucky Republican strategist, who spoke on the condition of anonymity so they could speak freely about the race. “However, Bevin’s alignment with the Trump administration is absolutely essential to his political career, and now he’s trying to find a way to accommodate both.
“Everyone understands tariffs are not the solution and wants an environment in which they don’t exist, but they are negotiating tools and both sides are using them quite handily,” Bevin said. “But this will end — it won’t last.” Earlier this month, at a conference sponsored by Yahoo Finance, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts said it was time for Trump to “wrap up” his trade dispute with China. Ricketts said Nebraska farmers lost more than $1 billion in revenue last year because of the tariffs. But in an interview a few days later with NPR, the Republican was far more restrained in his advice for the White House, saying Nebraska farmers understand Trump is seeking a “fair and balanced” trading partnership with China.
Republican-aligned business groups are also pressuring GOP governors to become more outspoken critics of Trump’s trade policies. Officials with Americans for Prosperity, the main political arm of billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch, have been reaching out to governors asking them to be “more public and vocal” about the impacts that tariffs are having on their states, according to Brent Gardner, the chief of government affairs for the group.
Bevin’s outreach earned him fawning coverage from Chinese media outlets. China Daily, a state-run English-language publication, published an editorial titled “Kentucky governor sets an example for rest of U.S. to follow in trade with China.” But Bevin’s approval ratings have fallen amid well-publicized battle with teachers and government workers over the state’s chronically underfunded pension program. Bevin also lost a high-profile budget battle this spring when the Republican-controlled legislature overrode his veto of a tax increase to fund public education.
France Dernières Nouvelles, France Actualités
Similar News:Vous pouvez également lire des articles d'actualité similaires à celui-ci que nous avons collectés auprès d'autres sources d'information.
Republican Rep. Justin Amash says Trump should be impeachedHe is the first GOP congressperson to call for the president’s removal from office.
Lire la suite »
Justin Amash Is The First Congressional Republican To Say Trump Committed Impeachable OffensesThe Michigan congressman also said that after reading the Mueller report, he believes Attorney General Bill Barr has deliberately misrepresented its findings.
Lire la suite »
Republican Michigan congressman says Trump conduct is ‘impeachable’A Republican congressman from Michigan says he’s concluded that President Donald Trump has “engaged in impeachable conduct.”
Lire la suite »
Republican Rep. Justin Amash says President Trump 'has engaged in impeachable conduct'The Michigan representative said that Congress risked encouraging misconduct by shrinking from the impeachment process.
Lire la suite »
Republican Congressman Amash Says Trump Should Be ImpeachedRepublican Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan said President Trump had engaged in “impeachable conduct,” becoming the first GOP lawmaker to suggest the president should be removed from office.
Lire la suite »
Trump slams Republican Amash over impeachment call: 'A total lightweight who opposes me'Amazon's large and flashy investments stand out from those of its tech peers over the past year.
Lire la suite »
Trump attacks Rep. Amash as a 'loser' and 'lightweight' after the Republican calls for impeachmentTrump said he was 'never a fan' of Rep. Amash, whom he called 'a total lightweight.' 'Justin is a loser who sadly plays right into our opponents hands!'
Lire la suite »
Trump lashes out at Republican lawmaker who says he committed impeachable offensesTrump blasts Rep. Justin Amash, who broke party ranks to say the Mueller report points to impeachable offenses. He also criticizes Alabama abortion ban.
Lire la suite »
'Pro-Trump' Republican launches primary challenge against Justin Amash after he called for Trump’s impeachmentA Republican called for President Donald Trump's impeachment. Now he faces a primary challenger.
Lire la suite »
George Conway Slams Trump For Attacking Republican Who Called For ImpeachmentGeorge Conway slams Trump for attacking Republican who called for impeachment
Lire la suite »
Republican Rep. Justin Amash explains his call to impeach TrumpThe only Republican so far to call for the president to be impeached fires back at critics.
Lire la suite »