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Trump is optimistic about a trade deal with China; unrest during Nigeria’s national elections.
A China tariff deadline gets postponed
Alex Wong/Getty Images
The US won’t increase tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods — for now. President Trump tweeted the decision Sunday, saying the US is making progress in trade talks with China. [Vox / Jen Kirby]
There actually isn’t a deal yet. Several big issues remain unresolved, including the Chinese government’s practice of giving Chinese companies an advantage through subsidies, and deep disagreements around intellectual property. [NYT / Ana Swanson and Alan Rappeport]
China seems optimistic, though: The country’s stock market hit a three-year high after Trump’s tweets. [Washington Post / Anna Fifield]
Trade talks between the US and China began after tariffs were placed on $250 billion in Chinese imports last year — and Trump claims they’re making America rich. But global supply chains also make it difficult to totally revolutionize the way American products get made in China. [Vox / Emily Stewart]
Trump’s announcement doesn’t change the fact that existing tariffs will stay in place. As the US confronts the Chinese mobile giant Huawei, alleging fraud and stealing trade secrets, the US is not likely to loosen its stance on issues such as intellectual property protections. [CNN / Jethro Mullen]
Violence and distrust in Nigeria’s elections
Nigeria’s federal election took place Saturday, one week after the election was initially scheduled, and the opposition political party has now accused the incumbent party of hacking the electoral commission to change results in the federal election. Current President Muhammadu Buhari showed a lead on Monday night. [Associated Press]
The results in question came after a violent election day. At least 39 people were killed when shootouts disrupted some polling stations on Saturday. Areas with strong opposition to Buhari grew dangerous as voting occurred. In the city of Lagos, ballot boxes were set on fire, and in Nigeria’s Rivers State, election workers were held hostage. Delays in opening the polls caused some voting to last until Sunday morning. [NYT / Dionne Searcey]
In Nigeria’s Borno State, the home of the militant group Boko Haram, citizens heard gunfire and explosions. Buhari has received criticism for failing to quell the group, which promised to disrupt the elections. Police reportedly said the gunfire was for security purposes, not a threat to the public. [BBC]
Concerns that the vote could be rigged have already delayed the election. Buhari and his main opposition, Atiku Abubakar, blamed one another for interfering with the election, prompting the electoral commission to delay the vote, citing reasons like the weather, ballot distribution, and the burning of election materials. [Vox / Jen Kirby]
The results of the election are expected on Tuesday or Wednesday. Abubakar won the territory that includes the country’s capital, although Buhari had won six of the 36 states by 6 pm on Monday. [Associated Press]
Miscellaneous
Wanted: FBI special agents. The bureau is struggling to recruit new talent as applicant numbers dip. A decreasing trend in applications started even before political FBI investigations put the bureau in the spotlight. [WSJ / Aruna Viswanatha and Byron Tau]
A nuclear reactor in North Korea may be producing plutonium, according to satellite images. Meanwhile, Kim Jong Un has made no concrete promises for denuclearization to President Trump, and the second summit between the leaders is scheduled for just days away. [NPR / Geoff Brumfiel]
President Trump’s 2020 campaign has already spent more than $3.5 million on Facebook ads and raised $130 million by 2018, racking up what could be seen as signals for Democrats to step up spending. [The Hill / Tal Axelrod, Michael Burke, and Rafael Nam]
For a $28,800 annual salary, Facebook content moderators remove disturbing content so it doesn’t show up online. The people behind the social media site’s content moderation receive few benefits or protections, despite unsafe work conditions and PTSD-like symptoms in some workers. [The Verge / Casey Newton]
“Workism” is the idea that one’s work is tied to their life and identity — but the increasingly blurry line between personal fulfillment and professional achievement is making it difficult for Americans to find purpose outside of the office. [Atlantic / Derek Thompson]
