Washington:The bitter tribalism that drove the United States into a government shutdown is putting compromise out of reach, analysts say -- and threatening to turn a staring contest between the Democrats and Donald Trump's Republicans into a protracted crisis.

As the nation enters its second week with federal agencies paralyzed, multiple strategists with vivid memories of previous standoffs told AFP the president and his foes could be in it for the long haul.

"It's possible this shutdown drags on for weeks, not just days," said Andrew Koneschusky, a former press secretary for Senator Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader at the center of the latest deadlock.

At the heart of the showdown is a Democratic demand for an extension of health care subsidies that are due to expire -- meaning sharply increased costs for millions of low-income Americans.

On Sunday, Trump blamed minority Democrats for blocking his funding resolution, which needs a handful of their votes.

Source:Ndtv