US, China trade talks in Seoul set stage for Trump-Xi summit

• President Trump departed for a two-day state visit to China on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, after the trip was initially delayed by the ongoing U.S. war with Iran. • The itinerary features a welcome ceremony, two bilateral meetings with President Xi Jinping, a state banquet, a Temple of Heaven tour, and a tea session within less than 48 hours.

• House Republicans are pressing forward with modifications to a Senate-passed housing package on May 12, even after President Trump urged passage of the original version without changes. • The effort coincides with administration pushes for $1 billion in security funding within a larger party-line spending package focused on immigration enforcement, potentially supporting Trump's ballroom project.

• Susie Wiles, Trump’s Chief of Staff, secured her job back amid reported internal White House power struggles and loyalty tests. • The reinstatement follows weeks of uncertainty, highlighting tensions within the administration's top ranks.

• Politically ambitious Connecticut Democrat withdraws from bipartisan government funding negotiations as his party demands greater involvement. • Exit disrupts talks on $1.2 trillion spending package critical for avoiding shutdown by June 1.

• A $140 million super PAC war chest is poised to attack Ohio Democrat Sherrod Brown as he aims for Senate return in 2026. • Funding from Republican donors aims to highlight Brown's voting record and economic policies in battleground state.

• A high-profile fight is set for July 4, announced by organizer White in a Tuesday interview, involving notable political personalities. • Event draws attention for blending sports and politics during Independence Day celebrations.

• A defiant New York incumbent faces low polling and a split base but refuses to yield to another centrist challenger against progressive Zohran Mamdani in upcoming race. • The candidate's stance persists despite internal party pressure, citing strong voter loyalty in key districts.

• A federal appeals court ruling overturned a district judge’s injunction, allowing the administration to withhold certain grants previously directed for restoration. • Decision impacts funding for multiple programs, affecting states and nonprofits reliant on federal support.

• The first Nobel award ceremony since President Trump overhauled the board of trustees earlier this year is set to proceed with new appointees influencing selections. • Changes aim to align prizes with American priorities, sparking international debate on politicization.

• Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is pushing legislation to establish the country's first centralized intelligence agency since World War II, transforming the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office (CIRO) into a hub for analysts, technologists, and operatives amid rising espionage and cyberthreats from China and Russia. • The FBI has endorsed the plan, with officials signaling US support for Tokyo on cybersecurity, counter-intelligence, espionage, and counterterrorism, addressing Japan's fragmented intelligence setup.

• President Trump announced nominations of former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake and Pennsylvania Republican Doug Mastriano to diplomatic positions, strengthening his administration's ties to Republican loyalists. • Lake, who lost her 2022 Arizona governor race, and Mastriano, a controversial Trump supporter, represent Trump's continued reliance on MAGA-aligned figures for key government roles.