US Commerce Secretary Raimondo: Pushing White House to ease restrictions on travel to US
Despite escalating coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns, policymakers in the West push for easing activity restrictions. The latest in the list was US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, who per Reuters said, “She is pressing for the easing of coronavirus restrictions that bar much of the world from traveling to the US.” The diplomat also said that the US health officials remain concerned about more outbreaks.
Reuters also mentioned, “The White House says it is continuing discussions with the European Union, Britain, Canada and Mexico on how to eventually lift restrictions, but US officials say they still have no timetable and travel industry officials think the restrictions may not be lifted until August or later.”
Additional key comments…
The White House has repeatedly ruled out a national vaccine passport.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has joined Raimondo in pushing for lifting restrictions, according to sources familiar with the discussions, but others in the administration remain worried that opening the door to more travelers from abroad could lead to increases in COVID-19 infection rates.
Airlines and others are urging the administration to lift restrictions covering most non-U.S. citizens who have recently been in Britain, the 26 Schengen nations in Europe without border controls, Ireland, China, India, South Africa, Iran and Brazil.
FX implications
Amid a quiet Asian session, with no major data ahead of China trade balance, the covid concerns outweigh the news and keep risk barometers pressured.
Read: AUD/USD struggles to regain 0.7500, coronavirus, China trade data eyed
Author
Anil Panchal
FXStreet
Anil Panchal has nearly 15 years of experience in tracking financial markets. With a keen interest in macroeconomics, Anil aptly tracks global news/updates and stays well-informed about the global financial moves and their implications.
