Mixed Emotions

Audio Articles now available!

Download the Reuters App.

Politics U.S.

By James Oliphant, national political correspondent

What did the Rolling Stones sing about sometimes not getting what you want – that maybe all you get is what you need?

President Donald Trump usually has so many plates spinning at the same time that it can be difficult to judge whether he's winning or losing. This past week has served as a prime example. Trump got his way on some matters – specifically trade – while continuing to be unable to secure the peace deals in Gaza and with Russia that he has long sought.

Latest U.S. politics headlines

A Great Divide

Since Trump likes to boast about his accomplishments, let's start there. He managed to lock the European Union into a trade deal that European leaders conceded favored the United States — and did so close to its home soil, having exported himself to Scotland where he played some golf.

Trump has set an August 1 deadline for countries to strike agreements with the U.S. or face unilateral tariff hikes – so his deal with the EU, along with last week's accord with Japan, was a good example of the president getting what he needed. His negotiators are continuing to talk to China, and he reached a last-minute deal with South Korea.

But Trump is not getting everything he wants, as some world leaders continue to defy him on other fronts -- most notably Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is apparently paying no heed to Trump's threat to impose sanctions on Russia if Putin doesn't agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine. This week, Trump sped up his 50-day timetable and warned Putin the U.S. would hit Russia with tariffs within 10 days. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, a close ally of Putin, said Trump was playing "a game of ultimatums" that could lead to a war involving the United States.

Trump broke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week when he pressed Israel to do more to allow humanitarian aid to reach the starving population of Gaza after ceasefire talks collapsed. Trump said the U.S. would set up food centers in Gaza, joining a chorus of nations that have described the situation there as catastrophic.

French President Emmanuel Macron took things one step further when he announced France would recognize a Palestinian state at next month's United Nations General Assembly to persuade Israel to agree to end hostilities. Canada later joined France, and Britain said it would also recognize Palestine if Netanyahu does not end the war. Saudi Arabia issued a declaration on Tuesday, backed by Egypt, Qatar and the Arab League, outlining steps toward implementing a two-state solution.

The U.S. opposes such a move, with officials saying it would bolster Hamas. Trump on Thursday suggested Canada's support for Palestinian statehood could hurt its prospects for a trade deal with the United States.

Back home after his Scottish sojourn, Trump got some news he needed: Economic growth rebounded in the second quarter, something the White House was quick to celebrate. But that masked the expectation among economists that the president's trade wars would soon begin to leave a mark with companies passing higher costs on to consumers.

On Wednesday, Trump's favorite target, the Federal Reserve, again declined to lower interest rates despite his urging, leaving the president fuming.

Whatever the cause, Trump's approval rating dropped to its lowest point during his second term – just over seven months after he took office. You know what they say about the presidency: it's a Beast of Burden.

Americans give Trump low marks on his handling of international issues

Follow Reuters/Ipsos polling on the president's approval ratings here.

The view from Seoul

How do you strike a deal with Trump? By speaking as simply as possible and flattering him. That was the program followed by South Korean trade negotiators, who role-played in advance of the talks. "We tried to talk like President Trump, and President Trump's way of talking is very terse and straightforward," Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan said. "We prepared a lot of scenarios on our own on how to answer this or that question."

Photo of the week

The sun sets over north Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, July 28, 2025. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

What to watch for

Aug 1: Trump's deadline for nations to reach trade agreements with the U.S. or face threatened tariffs
Sept. 9: United Nations General Assembly begins
Sept. 17-21: Trump makes state visit to Britain

The who, what and when

Get full access to Reuters.com for just $1/week. Subscribe now.

Sponsors are not involved in the creation of newsletters or other Reuters news content. Advertise in this newsletter or on Reuters' website

Reuters Politics U.S. is sent once a week. Think your friend or colleague should know about us? Forward this newsletter to them. They can also sign up here.

Want to stop receiving this email? Unsubscribe here. To manage which newsletters you're signed up for, click here.

This email includes limited tracking for Reuters to understand whether you've engaged with its contents. For more information on how we process your personal information and your rights, please see our Privacy Statement.

Terms & Conditions