Trump’s border-security-inspired shutdown cancels border security conference

Event postponed as US president remains in standoff with Democrats over demands for $5.7bn to build wall on US-Mexico border

The US has had to cancel an annual border security conference amid its ongoing government shutdown – caused by a backlash over plans for a Mexican border wall.

The 16th International Export Control and Border Security Conference was due to bring 270 security experts from 85 countries together in Edinburgh next month to discuss border-related issues.

However the US State Department, which hosts the event, announced it had been postponed and did not confirm a new date for when it will take place.

The annual conference, hosted by the government’s Export Control and Related Border Security Program, brings countries together to work to “prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and destabilising accumulations”.

Donald Trump has been in a standoff with Democrats after failing to agree a government funding bill with them unless it contains the $5.7bn (£4.4bn) he wants to build a wall on the US-Mexico border.

His request has sparked the longest government shutdown in US history, which has now entered its 34th day.

Mr Trump insists a wall the length of Mexico is needed because of security issues, but Democrats and others say it is not necessary.

Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House, has blocked the president's plans to deliver his State of the Union address on Tuesday until the government reopens.

In a series of tweets, Mr Trump responded by saying “we’ll do something in the alternative”, while branding Democrats “radicalised".

The leader’s disapproval ratings have reached an all-time high at 59 per cent as he continues to refuse to back down.

A CBS News poll on Wednesday also revealed 71 per cent of voters did not believe the issue was worth keeping the federal government closed.

The State Department said in a statement to CNN, which first reported the conference’s postponement: “In light of the very limited funding available during the lapse in appropriations, the department will exercise judicious use of limited, remaining resources.

“Travel, hiring, contracting, public affairs, and other activities will continue to operate in a constrained manner.”

Rubbish has been piling up in America’s national parks since federal employees downed tools last month.

About 800,000 federal employees have been left struggling to make ends meet without their regular pay cheques as the shutdown rumbles on.

The whole of the US government has not been shut down, but nine federal departments and agencies in particular are feeling the squeeze.

Those which have been closed since funding ran out on 22 December include the Federal Aviation Administration, Environmental Protection Agency and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

In closed agencies and departments, only employees considered "essential" have been told to come to work without pay until the shutdown ends.

The US has seen 13 shutdowns since 1981, with many lasting just a short period of time.

The previous record holder ran 21 days from December 1995 until January 1996.