72 stories found
Democrats and Republicans urged Tony Gonzales to step down after allegations that he had sent inappropriate texts to a staff member and had a sexual relationship with her.
The Texas Democratic primary is fractured by racial rhetoric as candidates clash over identity politics, with Republicans criticizing it as 'wokeness at its worst.'
A new poll indicates that Americans are growing increasingly dissatisfied with Donald Trump, citing concerns over abuse of power and poor handling of key issues, which is creating problems for Republicans ahead of elections.
Study released a day before State of the Union address shows president has lost support among Republicans Most US adults think Donald Trump is moving the country in the wrong direction during his seco
The government led by Salvador Illa in Catalonia is set to approve its budget project, aiming to pressure ERC, which maintains its rejection. The 'president' is gathering social agents to demonstrate support for his accounts, while Republicans argue that 'homework has not yet been done'.
A group of 'Never Trump' Republicans continues to issue serious warnings regarding the political landscape, raising questions about their current influence.
Democrats and Republicans in state legislatures across the United States are finding common ground on the need to regulate artificial intelligence and data centers.
G.O.P. critics of President Trump gathered at a summit near Washington, revealing deep divisions within their ranks regarding the party's future direction and leadership.
Supreme Court ruling offers little relief for Republicans divided on Trump’s tariffs Arab News
A timeline details the fluctuating tariffs imposed by Donald Trump on India, ranging from 26% to 50% and then to 10%.
After suffering a loss at the Supreme Court, US President Donald Trump has ended the tariffs declared illegal, but he has also announced a new 10% global duty.
While President Trump’s staunchest supporters condemned the decision, some Republicans suggested it restored Congress’s rightful role in weighing in on trade policy.
Republican lawmakers are defending the SAVE America Act, a voter ID bill, against Democratic accusations of voter suppression, with supporters arguing for the necessity of identification requirements.
President Trump’s advisers want him to lock down a message on the economy that will resonate ahead of the midterms. But Mr. Trump is never one to stay on message.
A grandmother who lost her grandson to gun violence defended President Trump at a White House Black History Month event, urging critics to 'get off the man's back'.
House Republicans proposed an energy regulation bill requiring a five-year sunset window. Rep. Craig Goldman's legislation would expire many Biden-era regulations within one year.
Speaker Mike Johnson is facing increasing difficulties as rebellious House Republicans are reportedly teaming up with Democrats, leading to procedural defeats that threaten Trump's agenda.
Republicans are increasingly worried about the Texas Senate race, with Senate leaders hoping for Trump's endorsement to save a beleaguered GOP senator from a primary challenge.
Democrats like A.O.C. are testing messages in Europe before midterms, while Minnesota Democrats blame state Republicans for inviting individuals who spread misleading videos about immigrant fraud. The White House also removed a racist post from President Trump's social media.
An opinion piece explores the reasons behind the increasing number of retirements among congressional Republicans, delving into potential political and personal motivations.
Criticism of former President Trump's tariffs is reportedly gaining bipartisan traction, with even some congressional Republicans expressing disapproval of the import taxes.
Congress is on recess until Feb. 23, and both Democrats and Republicans appear dug into their positions.
An investigation concluded that Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime performance did not violate any rules, despite complaints from some Republicans.
Upcoming congressional primaries are drawing attention as indicators of the nation's political direction, with Republicans eyeing opportunities in crowded Democratic contests.
The Texas Republican is facing calls from fellow House Republicans to resign, following allegations of an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide.
President Trump seems to lose some of his grip on his base as the Department Of Homeland Security shuts down amidst resistance to changes to immigration enforcement.
Democrats are reportedly raising more funds than Republicans for critical U.S. House of Representatives races, indicating a strong financial position for the party.
Tennessee Republicans have proposed House Bill 570, which would allow the death penalty for women who have abortions, charging them with 'homicide of her own unborn child'.
The general secretary of the republicans, Elisenda Alamany, states that the PSC 'has not done its homework' and demands that Salvador Illa's Executive work with its PSOE colleagues to secure the rec
Never Trump Republicans are still issuing dire warnings. Is anyone listening? AP News
Republicans and Democrats in state capitols across the country agree on some things when it comes to regulating Artificial Intelligence and data centers.
G.O.P. critics of President Trump, weakened within their party, gathered at a summit near Washington, revealing deep divisions over the party's future leadership and direction.
A Supreme Court ruling has provided minimal relief for Republicans who remain divided over former President Trump’s tariff policies.
The release of the Epstein files has brought renewed attention to the failure of U.S. authorities to stop Jeffrey Epstein, as documents reveal an accuser provided extensive details of abuse in 2011.
Trump has warned he could be ‘impeached’ if Republicans lose too many seats in the midterms
While President Trump’s staunchest supporters condemned the decision, some Republicans suggested it restored Congress’s rightful role in weighing in on trade policy.
Like many Democratic primaries, the fight for the right to challenge a Republican House member in the Rio Grande Valley comes down to a choice, shift left or choose the party’s favorite for November.
Republicans are hoping the Supreme Court will intervene to stop new lines from being drawn for New York City’s only GOP House seat.
Nuclear talks make progress even as Iran threatens to ‘slap’ US The Times
Several firebrand Republicans are set to participate in an explosive debate ahead of the GOP primary election for Texas Attorney General.
Republicans in Congress are advocating for new legislation that would impose stricter voting requirements, including proof of citizenship to register to vote, as they brace for potential losses in upcoming elections.
Marco Rubio's perceived disinterest in Europe highlights a broader shift in US foreign policy among both Republicans and Democrats, moving away from traditional alliances.
Republicans are mocking Democrats for a Presidents Day social media post that omitted Bill Clinton from a composite image of Democratic presidents.
Both Colorado's Democratic and Republican parties are convening their state assemblies in Pueblo, with reasons for the location choice being explored.
Republicans and Democrats at the Munich Security Conference united to criticize Donald Trump's 'destructive' rhetoric against US allies, urging Europe to stand firm.
Memo sent to state lawmakers threatens to escalate feud between the White House and conservative states
Progressive organizers in Texas celebrate a surprising win against far-right Republicans, while in California, billionaires and big tech companies are heavily investing in elections to protect their interests and fight regulation.
President Trump is escalating his election attacks, disregarding reality as he fears potential losses for Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections.
The ruling allows an April election where voters can let the legislature draw a new congressional map. It could help Democrats win more House seats. Republicans might still fight it in court.
Barack Obama said Saturday that Democrats have the "harder job" in governing while Republicans just tear "stuff down" during a podcast interview.
Court turns aside GOP request to block new map, second setback in recent days for state’s Republicans New Utah voting districts that give Democrats an improved shot at winning a US House seat can be used in this year’s election, a federal court ruled Monday while turning aside a Republican request to block the new map. The ruling marked the second setback in recent days for Republicans, who also lost an appeal at Utah’s state supreme court. Continue reading...
Donald Trump's political activities are reportedly reverting to the tumultuous style of his first term, causing growing fears among Republicans.
According to the WP survey, 60% of Americans disapprove of the president's work. The trade deficit increases, 80,000 workers leave the industry.
A growing consensus is emerging among both Democrats and Republicans regarding the concerns over AI surveillance of American citizens, highlighting a rare unifying issue.
California Governor Gavin Newsom delivered a pointed message to Republicans at an event in Nashville, stating 'Eat your heart out, Marsha.'
Sheriff Chad Bianco responds after polling cited by the New York Post shows two Republicans leading California’s crowded governor race.
An analysis suggests that a potential war with Iran could prove disastrous for US President Trump, especially with congressional elections approaching, as Republicans can ill-afford a protracted conflict.
Some reluctant Republicans are facing pressure to force an old-school filibuster showdown with Democrats over a voter ID bill, despite concerns it could paralyze the Senate without guaranteed success.
Florida Lawmakers Approve Renaming Palm Beach Airport After Trump Authored by Kimberly Hayek via The Epoch Times, Florida lawmakers on Thursday completed the approval of a bill to rename Palm Beach International Airport in honor of President Donald Trump. The measure, now awaiting Gov. Ron DeSantis’s signature, comes at the same time as the Trump family’s recent federal trademark filings for airport names incorporating the president’s identity. The Trump Organization says it will see no financial gain from the Palm Beach site. The Florida Senate passed SB 706 in a 25–11 vote. The legislation is sponsored by state Sen. Debbie Mayfield, a Republican from Melbourne. The vote came days after the House approved a companion bill, HB 919, 81–30. “President Trump is the first president that Florida has had in our history, and I think it’s very appropriate for us to be naming one of the other icons in Palm Beach after him,” Mayfield told Politico in January. The legislation renames the airport as “President Donald J. Trump International Airport.” The bill is effective July 1, provided the Federal Aviation Administration approves the change. The bill also includes a $5.5 million budget request for signage, marketing, and other rebranding efforts. Some lawmakers, including Rep. Lois Frankel (D-Fla.), criticized the effort, saying it went around Palm Beach County residents. “It’s misguided and unfair that the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature ignored the voices of Palm Beach County by pushing forward a bill to rename Palm Beach International Airport without giving County residents a real opportunity for input,” Frankel said. “Decisions about naming major infrastructure should wait until after an honoree’s service has concluded—and should include meaningful input from the local residents and communities most directly affected.” Trump relocated to Florida in 2019. His primary residence is Mar-a-Lago in West Palm Beach, which is near the airport. At the same time, the Trump Organization filed for trademark protections through DTTM Operations LLC. The company filed applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Feb. 13 and 14 this year. The submissions cover “President Donald J. Trump International Airport,” “Donald J. Trump International Airport,” and the abbreviation “DJT,” extending to airport-related goods and services such as passenger shuttles, umbrellas, travel bags, and flight attire. “To be clear, the President and his family will not receive any royalty, licensing fee, or financial consideration whatsoever from the proposed airport renaming,” the company said in a statement. The filings coincide with other proposals, such as renaming Dulles International Airport. Florida recently set aside land in Miami for Trump’s presidential library in 2025, and in January 2026, renamed a segment of road “President Donald J. Trump Boulevard.” Tyler Durden Fri, 02/20/2026 - 15:20
The Supreme Court has issued a ruling striking down some of former President Trump's most extensive tariffs, leading to immediate reactions and fallout.
President Donald Trump said Thursday that he's directing the Pentagon and other government agencies to release files related to extraterrestrials and UFOs because of "tremendous interest."
Virginia Republicans accuse Democratic lawmaker Dan Helmer of a "power grab" after he launched a congressional campaign for a district he helped redraw.
House Republicans skipped a deposition with Leslie Wexner, the retail billionaire, and Democrats said his answers were not credible.
Obama Says Aliens Exist But Are Not Kept In Area 51 Authored by Rachel Roberts via The Epoch Times, Former U.S. President Barack Obama said in a Feb. 14 podcast interview that aliens are real but that none are kept at the secretive Area 51 military base in the Nevada desert, later adding that he didn’t see any evidence indicating that extraterrestrials have contacted Earth during his presidency. In the interview, when asked, “Are aliens real?” Obama replied, “They’re real, but I haven’t seen them—and they’re not being kept in [Area 51]. There’s no underground facility, unless there’s this enormous conspiracy and they hid it from the president of the United States.” Obama became the first leader of the United States to affirm the existence of extraterrestrial life when questioned by progressive podcaster Brian Tyler Cohen in a video posted on YouTube. After the interview went viral, Obama said on Instagram that he wanted to “clarify” his comments to Cohen, writing that he was “trying to stick with the spirit of the speed round” while speaking on the podcast. “Statistically, the universe is so vast that the odds are good there’s life out there,” he wrote. “But the distances between solar systems are so great that the chances we’ve been visited by aliens is low, and I saw no evidence during my presidency that extraterrestrials have made contact with us. Really!” In 2013, Obama was possibly the first U.S. leader to acknowledge the existence of Area 51, an Air Force base built during the Cold War, which has long been rumored to house extraterrestrials and unidentified flying objects (UFOs). Cohen did not ask Obama a follow-up question on the issue. Instead, he asked the former president what his first question had been upon entering the White House. “Where are the aliens?” Obama joked in response. Some critics, including British political commentator Calvin Robinson, said Cohen should have asked Obama for more information about aliens. “When a former President of the United States says on the record there are aliens, YOU FOLLOW UP WITH RELEVANT QUESTIONS. You do not continue reading from your script,” he wrote on X. The U.S. government first acknowledged Area 51’s existence in 2013 through a Freedom of Information request and has declassified documents detailing its history and purpose. The base has been a testing ground for a host of top-secret aircraft, including the U-2 in the 1950s and later the F-117 stealth fighter. Trump Admin on Aliens President Donald Trump has expressed skepticism about the existence of aliens, while acknowledging that “anything is possible.” Trump addressed the subject in several media appearances during the 2024 presidential campaign. On a podcast with Lex Fridman, Trump said he would consider pushing the Pentagon to release additional UFO footage that many believe is classified. “Oh yeah, sure, I’ll do that. I would do that. I’d love to do that,” Trump said, noting that public pressure to disclose records relating to UFOs is similar to that surrounding the John F. Kennedy assassination. On Logan Paul’s “Impaulsive” podcast in June 2025, Trump said, “Am I a believer? No, I can’t say I am." “But I have met with people, serious people, that say there’s some really strange things flying around out there.” Trump added that given the size of the universe, “Why wouldn’t there be something, somebody?” Vice President JD Vance has expressed his personal enthusiasm, telling the “Ruthless” podcast in August 2025 that he is “obsessed with the whole UFO thing.” “What’s actually going on? What were those videos all about? What’s actually happening?” Vance probed. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said last August that she believes aliens may exist and that the U.S. government holds classified information on the subject. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard in Washington on Dec. 2, 2025. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images Gabbard pledged to share disclosures from ongoing investigations into UFOs amid growing discussion of the phenomena at the highest levels of government. Pentagon Cases Unresolved The Pentagon’s All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) continues to investigate more than 1,600 reports of “unidentified aerial phenomena,” an official term that has largely replaced “UFOs.” At a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in November 2024, AARO’s director, Jon T. Kosloski, detailed cases the military believes it has solved—such as the widely circulated 2016 “GOFAST” video, now thought to show an object flying at 13,000 feet rather than right above the water—as well as other incidents which have so far defied explanation. Previous presidents, including Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, have discussed their curiosity about alien life without confirming a belief in it. Carter reported that he saw an unidentified bright object in the sky when he was governor of Georgia in 1969, although he later said it was likely a natural phenomenon. A view of Area 51. Google Maps/Screenshot via The Epoch Times Clinton said that he was curious about the possibility of extraterrestrial life and that he had asked aides to look into both Area 51 and the Roswell incident of 1947, which gave rise to much speculation about a government cover-up. After Air Force personnel recovered metallic and rubber debris near Roswell, New Mexico, the U.S. Army Air Forces announced that they were in possession of a “flying disc” before retracting the statement within a day. Clinton said he was told there was no evidence of alien life in connection with the incident. In 1995, he joked about the Roswell incident, saying, “If the U.S. Air Force did recover any alien bodies, they didn’t tell me about it.” The American public is increasingly convinced that aliens exist and have visited Earth, according to recent polls. More than half (56 percent) of Americans believe extraterrestrials definitely or probably exist, according to a 2025 YouGov poll. Democrat (61 percent) and Independent (59 percent) voters are more likely than Republicans (46 percent) to believe aliens exist, with 73 percent of Americans believing the government would hide evidence of UFOs if it had any, and just 13 percent thinking it would be transparent, according to the same survey. Tyler Durden Tue, 02/17/2026 - 17:00
When Both Sides Go Quiet Submitted by QTR's Fringe Finance There is a political instinct that I’ve developed over the last few decade or so: when both parties are shouting, it’s business as usual. When both parties go quiet, pay attention, because something ugly is probably getting passed or covered up, and the American taxpayer is likely footing the bill of consequences. Few public controversies in recent memory have generated as much bipartisan distrust as the handling of the Epstein files. Republicans accused Democrats of failing to pursue full transparency while President Biden was in office. Now Democrats accuse Republicans of withholding or slow-walking the release of the complete records. The blame shifts with political control, but the underlying fact pattern remains the same: both parties have figures of influence whose names have surfaced in connection with Epstein’s orbit. That reality complicates the politics of accountability and fuels public suspicion that neither side is entirely comfortable with full disclosure. What should have been a straightforward matter of transparency, identifying networks of power, influence, and possible criminal complicity, has instead unfolded as a slow humiliating drip of redactions, procedural delays, partial disclosures and cagey congressional testimony. Each release seems to raise more questions than it resolves. These questions revolve around sex trafficking, exploitation, abuse of minors, coercion and manipulation, elite complicity, obstruction of justice, etc. But the deeper damage taking place now is not only about the crimes associated with Jeffrey Epstein. It is about institutional response. If only one political party had meaningful exposure to the scandal, the other would likely have been far more relentless in demanding transparency. But this is different. Despite Democrats harping on the files now, they were quiet in the years prior to Trump’s second term and, because Epstein’s connections span media, finance, academia, and politics, the discomfort still appears bipartisan. And that is precisely what unsettles me. When both political parties fail to press aggressively on something meaningful, especially something morally explosive, it often suggests that the issue cuts deeper than surface narratives allow. Bipartisan hesitation can signal overlapping vulnerability. Silence across the aisle is rarely accidental. The horror here is not just what may have occurred in private circles of power, but the perception that the institutions tasked with accountability are reluctant to fully illuminate it. Justice delayed in cases involving elites feels less like procedural caution and more like reputational risk management. Whether or not that perception is entirely fair, it is corrosive. Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs’ chief legal officer Kathryn Ruemmler announced her resignation after new emails with Epstein came to light, prompting internal pressure at the firm. British political figure Peter Mandelson resigned from the House of Lords and the Labour Party, and Scotland Yard has opened a criminal investigation into his ties with Epstein. In Norway, parliament has launched an external inquiry into prominent diplomats for their connections to Epstein, and police are investigating corruption allegations against former prime minister Thorbjørn Jagland and others. 🔥 50% OFF FOR LIFE: Using this coupon entitles you to 50% off an annual subscription to Fringe Finance for life: Get 50% off forever Across Europe, these disclosures have triggered formal probes, resignations, and institutional reviews that contrast sharply with the relative lack of accountability for high-profile figures in the United States, where calls for investigations and resignations have largely stalled. I mean, is Les Wexner really allowed to just walk around free at this point? How can that be possible? How are Kimbal Musk and Elon Musk allowed to remain on Tesla’s board? Why isn’t Bill Gates being hauled in front of congress? I have long argued that Americans should apply the same “when both parties agree, the American public is getting screwed” scrutiny to monetary policy for a similar reason. It is one of the few areas where both major political parties display remarkable convergence. While they wage visible battles over cultural issues and tax rates, they tend to align on central banking frameworks, large scale liquidity interventions, and deficit tolerance. Like other cover-ups, that alignment deserves examination. Monetary policy operates largely outside daily partisan warfare, yet it shapes purchasing power, asset prices, debt burdens, and wealth distribution. When balance sheets expand aggressively and markets are repeatedly stabilized during downturns, the effects are uneven. Asset holders often benefit first and most. Meanwhile, wage earners experience the lagging side effects such as inflationary pressure, higher living costs, and diminished purchasing power. Supporters of Modern Monetary Theory argue that sovereign currency systems provide more fiscal flexibility than traditionally assumed. Critics counter that, in practice, repeated interventions risk entrenching a cycle in which gains are privatized and losses are socialized. When markets rise, the wealth effect accrues to those with substantial exposure. When markets falter, public backstops prevent collapse. The middle class absorbs the inflationary residue. And the wealth gap widens: The structural similarity matters. When both parties avoid aggressive debate on a policy that materially burdens the average American, it raises the same instinctive question of what incentives are being protected. Monetary policy may not carry the visceral grotesqueness of the Epstein scandal, but it carries long term economic consequences that most Americans don’t know they are bearing, and don’t understand that they are being lied to about. The comparison is not moral equivalence. It is structural parallel. In one case, alleged networks of power may be shielded by mutual hesitation. In the other, a financial architecture persists with limited democratic scrutiny because challenging it would destabilize shared political comfort. In both cases, bipartisan alignment dampens confrontation. Two forms of silence. Two different domains. Both revealing. Foreign policy, particularly the authorization and funding of wars, has often followed a similar pattern. While domestic issues produce loud partisan divides, military interventions abroad frequently pass with overwhelming support from leadership in both parties. Public debate may flare at the margins, but institutional consensus tends to solidify quickly once action begins. History shows that major military engagements, from post 9/11 authorizations to prolonged overseas conflicts, have often been backed by broad congressional majorities. The initial votes are decisive. The funding continues year after year. Only later, when costs mount and public opinion shifts, does meaningful dissent emerge. By then, strategic commitments and financial obligations are deeply entrenched. Again, the pattern is not about moral equivalence between policy domains. It is about incentives. When both political parties converge quickly on matters involving immense money, immense power, or immense liability, scrutiny tends to narrow rather than widen. And when scrutiny narrows at the highest levels, the public’s role shifts from participant to spectator. When both political parties fail to address something meaningful, when they close ranks instead of competing for exposure, the public should not assume the issue is trivial. More often, it suggests the truth behind the surface may be larger and more consequential than advertised. Democracies depend not just on disagreement, but on adversarial pressure. When that pressure disappears, citizens are right to lean in, not tune out. When both sides go quiet, the story is rarely over. As the Epstein files are showing, it may simply run far deeper than we are being shown. Now read: Today's Epstein’s Records Destroy Official Narratives Our Liquidity Addiction Continues Do DOJ Docs Show Epstein Death Notice A Day Early? The Hijacking Of Bitcoin: Epstein’s Hidden Network Why America’s Two-Party System Will Never Threaten the True Political Elites QTR’s Disclaimer: Please read my full legal disclaimer on my About page here. This post represents my opinions only. In addition, please understand I am an idiot and often get things wrong and lose money. I may own or transact in any names mentioned in this piece at any time without warning. Contributor posts and aggregated posts have been hand selected by me, have not been fact checked and are the opinions of their authors. They are either submitted to QTR by their author, reprinted under a Creative Commons license with my best effort to uphold what the license asks, or with the permission of the author. This is not a recommendation to buy or sell any stocks or securities, just my opinions. I often lose money on positions I trade/invest in. I may add any name mentioned in this article and sell any name mentioned in this piece at any time, without further warning. None of this is a solicitation to buy or sell securities. I may or may not own names I write about and are watching. Sometimes I’m bullish without owning things, sometimes I’m bearish and do own things. Just assume my positions could be exactly the opposite of what you think they are just in case. If I’m long I could quickly be short and vice versa. I won’t update my positions. All positions can change immediately as soon as I publish this, with or without notice and at any point I can be long, short or neutral on any position. You are on your own. Do not make decisions based on my blog. I exist on the fringe. If you see numbers and calculations of any sort, assume they are wrong and double check them. I failed Algebra in 8th grade and topped off my high school math accolades by getting a D- in remedial Calculus my senior year, before becoming an English major in college so I could bullshit my way through things easier. I am an investor in Mark’s fund. The publisher does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided in this page. These are not the opinions of any of my employers, partners, or associates. I did my best to be honest about my disclosures but can’t guarantee I am right; I write these posts after a couple beers sometimes. I edit after my posts are published because I’m impatient and lazy, so if you see a typo, check back in a half hour. Also, I just straight up get shit wrong a lot. I mention it twice because it’s that important. Tyler Durden Tue, 02/17/2026 - 14:00
The Trump administration proposed significant budget cuts and changes to agencies like FEMA, but Congress largely rejected these efforts. Meanwhile, the administration's immigration policies, including expanded ICE partnerships, are becoming a key issue in congressional races.
It’s awkward, nobody seems to know what is going on, and the president’s thumb is at half-mast. It’s almost a metaphor for diplomatic relations between the US and the UK, writes Zoe Williams
Democratic strategist James Carville predicted the Democratic Party will win the next two elections and defeat Republicans in an expletive-filled rant on his podcast.
The departure of Gail Slater suggests a shift in US antitrust policy within the Trump administration, with pro-business Republicans gaining influence over populist factions in the justice department.
Despite past controversies, the Republican party continues to be shaped by Donald Trump's influence, demonstrating its capacity to win elections through asymmetric polarization.
Progressive grassroots organizers in Texas are hailing an unexpected victory, pushing back against the influence of billionaire donors and leaving far-right Republicans reeling.
Six House Republicans joined Democrats to successfully block proposed Canadian tariffs by former President Trump. This move highlights a political divide within the Republican party regarding trade policy.