U.S. stock index futures were subdued on Tuesday as investors awaited the outcome of a second day of trade talks between the United States and China aimed at cooling a tariff dispute that has bruised global markets this year.

Financial disclosure records show that members of the vaccine safety panel fired by HHS Secretary RFK Jr. had financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry.

Conservative personality Erick Erickson lashed out at Sen. Bill Cassidy after HHS Director Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dismissed the CDC's entire vax advisory panel.

President Trump’s administration has slammed the brakes on development of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, which proved their lifesaving potential during the COVID-19 pandemic but have come under increasing scrutiny among skeptics of mainstream science.

The abrupt termination of the 17 panelists guiding the CDC’s vaccine recommendations could yield a new committee more aligned with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s skeptical views, analysts warned.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Monday that he will replace all members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.