Trump leaves door open to targeted fiscal measures
The US President turned the tables on his Democratic rivals in negotiations for a fourth fiscal stimulus package at the last minute.
Democrats' and Republicans' positions remained far apart, with the former holding out for at least a $2trn figure and the latter offering a $1.6trn increase in government spending.
But it wasn't about the money, instead Democrats' proposals included financing for abortions and transfers to undocumented immigrants, as well as roughly $1trn of financing for state and local governments.
Republicans were reportedly especially critical of the latter of those three proposals, arguing that states governed by Democrats were poorly run.
In a post to his personal account on Twitter, on Tuesday evening, Donald Trump said: "I have instructed my representatives to stop negotiating until after the election when, immediately after I win, we will pass a major Stimulus Bill that focuses on hardworking Americans and Small Business."
Investors had been expecting the focus of Wednesday's session to be on the televised debate between US Vice-President, Michael Pence, and his Democratic contender, Kamala Harris, that was scheduled for the evening.
Global financial markets were holding up well however, after Trump followed up his earlier comments with the following remarks.
"If I am sent a Stand Along Bill for Stimulus Checks ($1,200), they will go out to our great people immediately. I am ready to sign right now. Are you listening Nancy?" Trump said.
"The House and Senate should immediately approve 25 billion dollars for airline payroll support, & 135 billion dollars for paycheck protection program for small business. Both of these will be fully paid for with unused funds from the Cares Act. Have this money. I will sign now!"
Earlier, Trump's Democratic rival to the presidency, Joe Biden, said: "Not once did he bring Republicans and Democrats together in the Oval Office, on the phone, or by Zoom, to get a relief package that would help working people and small businesses in this country."
Furthermore, the Democratic speaker of the House of Representatives pointed out, that further stimulus could still be approved during the so-called 'lame duck' session of Congress, following the elections.
Nancy Pelosi explained on Tuesday evening that a temporary spending bill had yet to be approved to keep Congress open past 11 December.