Diplomacy

A debate between Michigan U.S. Senate candidates Abdul El-Sayed (D) and Mike Rogers (R) turned contentious as the two clashed over Iran policy and national security. El-Sayed blamed Rogers and President Trump for abandoning the JCPOA and pursuing military action he said drove up gas and grocery prices, while accusing Rogers of being backed by AIPAC-linked donors. Rogers countered that Iran remains a major threat tied to Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, and alleged El-Sayed has links to the Muslim Brotherhood and failed to condemn the IRGC. El-Sayed called the accusations beneath the discourse; Rogers accused him of playing victim. Trump is set to campaign for Rogers in Michigan this weekend.

Following an Oct. 9 call between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the U.S. Treasury Department issued a license easing sanctions on Russian diesel through April 2027. A bipartisan group of senators called the move "a gift to our adversary," and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned it could embolden further Russian attacks. The decision appears to soften a Russia sanctions law Trump signed weeks earlier, though the administration frames it as a way to lower fuel prices.

The debate centers on whether engaging Russia can weaken its deepening cooperation with China, Iran and North Korea, echoing Nixon-era efforts to exploit splits among adversaries. Analysts note strains between Moscow and Beijing, including stalled Power of Siberia 2 pipeline talks, but caution that sanctions relief alone proves little without verifiable Russian concessions on Ukraine and military cooperation with Beijing.

The Sept. 23-25 state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington produced several concrete agreements, following up on momentum from President Trump's May visit to China. The two countries launched the U.S.-China Board of Trade and Board of Investment, bodies agreed upon in May, and announced tariff relief on $30 billion worth of non-sensitive goods in each direction. A new working group will target barriers in agriculture and other sectors, while China committed to importing at least 10 million metric tons of U.S. coal annually in 2027 and 2028.

On counternarcotics, China agreed to restrict a class of dangerous drugs and limit exports of fentanyl precursor chemicals, building on law enforcement cooperation that led to drug-trafficking arrests of Chinese nationals in August. No joint military statement was issued, though China's Foreign Ministry said both militaries agreed to prioritize a new crisis-communication mechanism. Unlike in May, Trump indicated Taiwan was not a major topic this time, even as tensions and Chinese military activity near the island continue.

President Trump hosted Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Washington this week, staging an elaborate state visit even as Beijing faces accusations of undermining U.S. interests. American officials have said Chinese firms supplied Iran with satellite imagery used in regional attacks, and that China has continued business dealings with Tehran despite U.S. sanctions pressure. Trump has also previously accused China of election interference in 2020.

Rather than confront Xi over these issues, Trump has repeatedly downplayed them, describing his rapport with Xi as friendly and dismissing concerns about China's support for Iran and its espionage activities. The approach has drawn criticism even from Republican allies, including Senator Roger Wicker, who questioned honoring an "oppressive dictator." Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the engagement as necessary given China's global standing. The visit's agenda reportedly includes artificial intelligence, fentanyl, and an expiring trade truce. Analysts note Xi arrives with leverage, anticipating Trump's political weakening after upcoming midterm elections, raising questions about what concessions, if any, the U.S. secures from the summit's diplomatic spectacle.

President Trump hosted President Xi Jinping in Washington this week even as Beijing faces accusations of undermining U.S. interests, including alleged election interference claims, providing Iran with satellite imagery used in regional attacks, and continuing business dealings with Tehran despite U.S. sanctions pressure. Trump has largely downplayed these issues, emphasizing his personal rapport with Xi rather than confronting him, a posture that drew criticism even from allies like Senator Roger Wicker, who called Xi a "brutal, unelected and oppressive dictator." Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the engagement as necessary given China's global economic and military weight.

Foreign policy analysts say Trump's deference is unusual and question what concessions the U.S. will secure in return for the ceremonial treatment. The White House says talks will cover artificial intelligence, fentanyl, and an expiring trade truce, though officials declined to say whether election interference claims would be raised. Analysts note Xi enters the meeting with a stronger long-term position, anticipating a weakened Trump after upcoming midterm elections, while Trump faces criticism for treating an adversary more warmly than traditional allies.

Michigan GOP gubernatorial candidate John James joined Senate candidate Mike Rogers in calling for a quick end to the Iran War, breaking from President Trump's public defense of the conflict. James, a combat veteran, said "Iran cannot have a nuke" but urged using "every resource" to end the war quickly, while praising the administration's diplomatic and economic efforts. Rogers similarly called for the war to end "quickly," warning it is driving up costs for Michigan families, and has proposed suspending both the state and federal gas tax, a combined 70 cents a gallon, along with a temporary embargo on U.S. diesel exports.

Democrats pushed back, noting James voted against multiple congressional resolutions demanding an end to the war or requiring authorization to continue it, including a September 15 measure that passed 220-204. The Michigan Democratic Party accused James of "trying to desperately lie about his record" as gas hovers near $5 a gallon and diesel prices hit record highs. James has not committed to suspending the state or federal gas tax, unlike Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson, who backs pausing the federal tax. In the Senate race, Rogers trails Democrat Abdul El-Sayed by roughly 7 points in recent polling, while Trump has defended the war and warned he could act more forcefully against Iran absent a peace deal.

Tensions between Washington and Seoul have grown after President Trump publicly criticized South Korea for declining to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz during the Iran standoff, prompting his administration to scale back joint military exercises that have underpinned the decades-old alliance. Trump has said he would "remember" the perceived slight, while the State Department has sought to reassure Seoul the remarks were not meant to single Korea out.

Polling shows the fallout: trust in Trump among Koreans has fallen sharply since his return to office, a majority now hold an unfavorable view of the United States for the first time in two decades of surveys, and large majorities oppose his tariffs and Iran policy. Critics note Korea has funded U.S. troop presence under cost-sharing deals since 1991 and pledged roughly $350 billion in investment under a recent tariff agreement. Despite the friction, most Koreans still call the U.S. their most important ally, underscoring a gap between public frustration with Trump personally and continued support for the alliance itself.

President Donald Trump has nominated U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Houston, to serve as ambassador to Saudi Arabia, a key diplomatic post amid the ongoing U.S.-Iran war. Hunt would need a simple Senate majority to be confirmed. The nomination comes months after his unsuccessful primary challenge to Sen. John Cornyn.

Hunt, a West Point graduate and former Army Apache helicopter pilot, completed two deployments to Saudi Arabia as a diplomatic liaison officer before his 2022 election to Congress. He said he understands the "strategic importance" of the U.S.-Saudi partnership and pledged to advance Trump's "peace through strength" approach if confirmed.

The war between the U.S. and Iran has continued for nearly seven months, with Iran firing on Saudi Arabia and blockading its energy shipments since February. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reportedly pressed Trump to strike Iran-backed Houthi forces, a request Trump has so far declined. Hunt, a close Trump ally, has also backed cuts to U.S. security assistance for Ukraine.