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Americans are awaiting the results of midterm elections that will determine control of Congress and shape the next two years of Donald Trump’s presidency, with consequences for US-China relations, global trade and the war with Iran.
His Republican Party is fighting to retain its majorities in the House of Representatives and Senate as Democrats seek to capitalise on dissatisfaction with Trump’s leadership and the economic fallout from the war.
Democratic control of either chamber would give the opposition greater power to block legislation and scrutinise the administration. Trump would retain significant authority over foreign policy, but face greater congressional resistance to his agenda.
Governorships and state legislatures are also at stake, with implications for how states implement or challenge the administration’s policies.
Follow our live coverage for results, developments and analysis from the SCMP’s reporters in the United States.
Reporting by Teresa Frontado, Mark Magnier, Lucy Quaggin, Nayan Seth, Han Li, Richard Zhang and Vincent Choi.
All times given in blog entries are Eastern Time (UTC-5, HKT-13)
More from our coverage:
– Will ‘strategic stability’ with China go out the window if Trump loses the midterms?
– US midterm elections: Trump ends campaign, calls Democrats ‘most dangerous ever’
– Will a US midterm rout see Trump double down or acknowledge his clout is ebbing?