US State of the Union: Problems with a divided government - ING

According to James Knightley, chief international economist at ING, US President’s State of the Union address highlighted the problems he faces with a divided government.

Key Quotes

“President Trump’s 82 minute speech to Congress spoke of a need for the Republicans and Democrats to come together for the good of the American people. He talked of efforts to reduce drug prices and repeated his calls for bi-partisan cooperation on infrastructure investment, although there was next to no detail on what that may involve.”

“The President also repeated calls for support for the border security wall with Mexico, but stopped short of saying he would declare a national emergency and get it built himself should that support not come. Obviously the potential for such action remains firmly on the table.”

“Trump so far is getting most of the blame for the discord on Capitol Hill as can be seen in his slumping approval ratings with less than two years to go before the 2020 Presidential election.”