It would be the latest step by the Trump administration to cut Huawei Technologies Cos Ltd [HWT.UL] and ZTE Corp, two of China’s biggest network equipment companies, out of the U.S. market. The United States says the companies work at the behest of the Chinese government and that their equipment could be used to spy on Americans. Huawei and ZTE did not return requests for comment. Both in the past have denied that their products are used to spy. Rural operators in the United States are among the biggest customers of Huawei and ZTE, and worry that they may also have to rip out existing Chinese-made equipment without compensation. Industry officials are divided on whether the administration could legally compel operators to do that. The executive order, which has been under consideration for more than eight months, could be issued as early as January and would direct the Commerce Department to block U.S. companies from buying equipment from foreign telecommunications makers that … [Read more...] about White House mulls new year executive order to bar Huawei, ZTE purchases
President trump signs executive order
Supreme Court deals Trump another immigration setback
The Supreme Court dealt President Donald Trump's attempt to crack down on illegal immigration a blow Friday (Dec 21) when it rejected a White House bid to implement his asylum ban on Central Americans. Central American migrants climb the border fence between Mexico and the United States in Tijuana, Mexico. (Photo: AFP/Pedro PARDO) The high court declined to overturn a block placed by the San Francisco federal appeals court on Trump's executive order to automatically reject asylum requests from migrants crossing the US border from Mexico. The court made no comment in its ruling, but noted that three of the nine justices were in favor of lifting the lower court's stay and letting Trump enforce the ban, while lawsuits over it go ahead. The three backing the president were Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Trump appointee Brett Kavanaugh. On November 9 Trump signed the order, which aimed at halting the flow of migrants mainly from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador crossing into … [Read more...] about Supreme Court deals Trump another immigration setback
US government to shut down in fight over Trump’s wall
Trump said the impending shutdown of some key parts of the federal government could last "a very long time," and he sought to blame Democrats. They, in turn, put the blame squarely on Trump, reminding him that last week he said he would be "proud" to shut the government down in order to get funding for a wall on the US border with Mexico. Republican and Democratic senators earlier this week reached a deal on short-term funding legislation that did not include the US$5 billion Trump wants, but the president said on December 20 he would not sign it. The impending shutdown was the latest evidence of dysfunction in Washington and does not bode well for next year, when Democrats will have a stronger hand as they take control of the House of Representatives. "President Trump has thrown a temper tantrum and now has us careening towards a 'Trump shutdown' over Christmas," Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor. "You're not getting the wall today, next week or on … [Read more...] about US government to shut down in fight over Trump’s wall
Trump launches crackdown on Central American asylum seekers
WASHINGTON: The United States embarked on Friday (Nov 9) on a policy of automatically rejecting asylum claims of people who cross the Mexican border illegally in a bid to deter Central American migrants and force Mexico to handle them. Asylum seekers turn themselves in to a US Border Patrol agent after crossing from Mexico into the United States on Nov 7, 2018 in Mission, Texas. (Photo: AFP/John Moore) President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at halting the flow of migrants seeking to cross into the United States without authorisation, most of them requesting asylum due to violence in their home countries. "The continuing and threatened mass migration of aliens with no basis for admission into the United States through our southern border has precipitated a crisis and undermines the integrity of our borders," Trump said in the order. Trump used his emergency powers for the order, which critics said violates international law protecting asylum seekers. UNHCR, the … [Read more...] about Trump launches crackdown on Central American asylum seekers
Trump signs order to enable sanctions for U.S. election meddling
Trump signs order to enable sanctions for U.S. election meddlingThe Saigon Times Daily U.S. President Donald Trump holds an Oval Office meeting on preparations for hurricane Florence at the White House in Washington, U.S., September 11, 2018 – PHOTO: REUTERS WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - Under fire over his handling of Russian election meddling, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday meant to strengthen election security by slapping sanctions on foreign countries or people who try to interfere in the U.S. political process. The order, coming only eight weeks before congressional elections on Nov. 6, drew immediate criticism from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers as too little, too late. Trump signed the order behind closed doors with no reporters present, a rare departure from what has been his standard practice. “As I have made clear, the United States will not tolerate any form of foreign meddling in our elections,” Trump said … [Read more...] about Trump signs order to enable sanctions for U.S. election meddling