CNN Anchor Trounces Co-Host Scott Jennings Over Tariffs: 'Backing Down Is Not Leverage'

CNN anchor Abby Phillip trounced her blimpish “NewsNight” co-host Scott Jennings connected Thursday during an statement implicit America’s commercialized warfare with China, and stated firmly that “backing down isn’t leverage” — arsenic the President Donald Trump instrumentality seemed to suggest.

The treatment centered connected an announcement Monday from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that Trump has agreed to little his 145% tariff connected Chinese imports to 30% successful speech for a 10% export tariff, but lone for 90 days, arsenic negotiations continue.

Jennings praised Trump for “creating leverage” against China, prompting Phillip to enactment the medication launched these negotiations lone to “unilaterally” little their ain 145% levy — and that Trump “negotiated himself down disconnected of a elevation that helium climbed connected his own.”

“I’m not definite however that’s creating leverage,” she continued.

When Jennings argued “the leverage is getting them to the table,” Phillip pointed retired that the U.S. hasn’t been offered a caller imperishable commercialized statement yet, lone for Jennings to assertion this is “not true” — and that “they’re already negotiating non-tariff commercialized barriers.”

“Scott, backing down is not leverage,” replied Phillip. “Backing down is conscionable backing down.”

Trump announced steep planetary tariffs connected what helium dubbed “Liberation Day” successful April, imposing a 10% baseline levy connected each U.S. imports, with higher tariffs against China fluctuating for weeks. This sent markets into upheaval and sparked fears of a terrible recession.

“Getting them to the array is leverage,” said Jennings earlier making an entreaty to emotion.

“I mean, if you hatred Donald Trump, this is however you would picture it,” helium argued, adding: “The amended mode to picture it is, bring these radical to the table, get the commercialized concern with the tariff rates correct, but besides the non-tariff issues that we person going connected with China ....”

“OK,” Phillip interrupted. “None of which person been dealt with. That is simply a fact.”

Guest panelist and economist Natasha Sarin noted earlier successful the treatment that the tariffs are apt to rise prices for American consumers, outgo up to 500,000 radical their jobs and shrink the system — which Trump has previously dismissed arsenic “a small disturbance.”

On Monday, Trump painted his ain tariff reversal regarding China as a large victory.

Related...