[Romans:] All right. Chinese tech giant Huawei claims the United States is setting a dangerous precedent by cutting off business ties with the company. The firm says it will ask a U.S. court to reverse measures that bar federal agencies from buying Huawei products. CNN's Sherisse Pham has been inside Huawei. She joins us live from Shenzhen, China. And I think this is really important to know. This company is sort of the crown jewel of China's economic strategy, right, to really dominate high tech into the next century and expand beyond, you know, making shoes and basketballs and the manufacturing floor of the world, but really being on this high-end tech supplier to the world.
[Sherisse Pham, Cnn Reporter:] You're absolutely right, Christine, because Huawei is a crown jewel. That's a great way to put it. They are a national champion. They are a key player when it comes to China's made in China 2025 strategy. That is a strategy where China wants to be leading the technologies of the future. And the company today really striking a defiant tone, calling the United States saying the United States is using state power to crush a private company and also saying that U.S. suppliers like Google and GE and Microsoft have written to the Commerce Department about this ban. Of course, the Commerce Department added Huawei to the so-called entity list, essentially barring American firms from doing business with Huawei which means that companies like Google and Qualcomm can't sell software and computer chips to Huawei. And this is a crippling blow. it means that Huawei won't be able to build the 5G products for the 5G rollout. It won't be able to service smartphones with the Android operating system. But let's not forget that the U.S. has also accused Huawei of trade theft, of intellectual property theft, and violating sanctions on Iran, allegations that we should note that Huawei, of course, denies. And today, we really just saw some fired up executives here at Huawei, defending the company, calling the U.S. a bully, but also, Christine, acknowledging that these latest restrictions are threatening its business.
[Romans:] Yes. That bully line, something you hear from the Chinese foreign ministry as well, that the United States is acting as global bully here. All right. Thank you so much, Sherisse Pham. Nice to see you this morning. American consumers are confident, even as the country nears the one- year anniversary of its trade war with China. New data from the Conference Board shows consumer confidence rose in May, near 18-year highs. The Conference Board knows the increase was mainly driven by a strong jobs market, adding, despite retail sales in April, these high- level of confidence suggest no significant pull back in consumer spending in the months ahead. But high levels of confidence on Main Street may mean tough times for Wall Street. Stocks have pulled back amid trade war concerns. One analyst notes that maximum optimism tends to coincide with maximum prices. Many retailers warned that higher tariffs on Chinese goods will lead to higher prices for consumers. For investors, the recent slide in stocks may be a more important indicator than consumer confidence. The 10-year treasury yields fell to 2.26 percent Tuesday, the lowest level since September 2017. I guess if you're looking for a bright spot in the uncertainty and the risk aversion in the global markets is that mortgage rates continue to fall. So if you are trying to get in and lock in on a mortgage, those lower bond yields are good for you.
[Briggs:] Ahead, a new nominee, but perhaps the worst pitch all of time. Or was it the best? You decide when we come back.
[Romans:] History unfolding in Oklahoma where the nation's battle with opioids has reached inside of a courtroom. Oklahoma's attorney general accusing Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiaries of creating the most worst manmade public health crisis in American history by flooding the market and promoting prescription painkillers and then staying silent as the deadly grip of addiction took hold. The company claims its products are regulated by the government and only just a fraction of the painkillers consumed in Oklahoma. It's also pointing a finger at doctors, pharmacists and manufacturers, arguing the state cannot prove Johnson & Johnson caused the addiction crisis or the overdose deaths. Oklahoma is seeking $17.5 billion to tackle the problem.
[Briggs:] A University of Wisconsin student sentenced to a year of probation for entering a restricted area at the president's Mar-a-Lago resort last year. Mark Lindblom pleaded guilty Tuesday to unlawful entry. Officials say he never encountered the president or the first lady. The Secret Service claims Lindblom was screened for weapons and other items but entered the restricted space through a tunnel. He was arrested once agents realized he was not member or a guest of the club.
[Romans:] A San Diego nature preserve is closed to the public after a mountain lion attacked a little boy on Monday. Officials say the 4- year-old and his family were hiking when the boy's father threw rocks at the lion to scare it off. Fish and wildlife officers later euthanized a female mountain lion. Investigators are keeping the park closed until they can confirm it was the same lion that attacked the child. The boy has suffered head injuries is expected to be released from the hospital soon.
[Briggs:] As first pitchers go, new nominee for the worst ever ouch. Employee being honored as the employee of the month by the Chicago White Sox threw out the ceremony first pitch last night. Instead of the catcher's glove, she plunks the cameraman. I believe that would be a team cameraman judging by that position. So that was bad. How bad was it? Who could forget this one? A first pitch by the rapper 50 Cent. That lives in infamy. Which Romans, do you think was worse?
[Romans:] I think I just know I would never say yes to a ceremonial pitch. I just don't I just can't if that's not your day job, I don't know.
[Briggs:] I still think 50 Cent holds the crown.
[Romans:] All right. More than 39 million people now under enhanced risk of severe weather today. A tornado is carving a destructive path in Kansas overnight, a 13th day in a row with tornadoes in the U.S.