Transcript - Remarks: Donald Trump Holds a Cabinet Meeting at The White House - August 16, 2018 | Factba.se

Donald Trump

00:00:00 - 00:00:12 (13 sec)

Hello, everybody. Thank you very much for being here. I think we'll start with Secretary Pompeo saying a prayer. Mike.

Mike Pompeo

00:00:12 - 00:00:25 (13 sec)

Thank you, Mr. President. So I'm going to read a prayer that is from a -- long ago in my history. It's called the "Cadet Prayer." You see this little beat-up little book? Every cadet gets one. And if you'll bow your heads, I'll do the prayer.

Mike Pompeo

00:00:25 - 00:00:35 (10 sec)

"O God, our Father, Thou Searcher of Men's hearts, help us to draw near to Thee in sincerity and truth. May our religion be filled with gladness and may our worship of Thee be natural."

Mike Pompeo

00:00:35 - 00:00:59 (24 sec)

"Strengthen and increase our admiration for honest dealing and clean thinking, and suffer not our hatred of hypocrisy and pretense ever to diminish... Make us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and never to be content with a half-truth when the whole can be won. Endow us with courage that is born of loyalty to all that is noble and worthy, that scorns to compromise with vice and injustice and knows no fear when truth and right are in jeopardy...""

Mike Pompeo

00:00:59 - 00:01:16 (17 sec)

"Help us to maintain the honor of the [United States] untarnished and unsullied and to show forth in our lives the ideals of [America] in doing our duty to Thee and to our [nation]. All of which we ask in the name of [our] Great Friend and Master of [men]. Amen."

Donald Trump

00:01:16 - 00:01:19 (3 sec)

Thank you. Thank you for doing a great job too.

Mike Pompeo

00:01:19 - 00:01:21 (2 sec)

Thank you, sir.

Donald Trump

00:01:21 - 00:01:43 (22 sec)

Well, I want to begin today by expressing my condolences to the family of a person I knew well -- she worked for me on numerous occasions; she was terrific -- Aretha Franklin, on her passing. She's brought joy to millions of lives, and her extraordinary legacy will thrive and inspire many generations to come.

Donald Trump

00:01:43 - 00:01:54 (11 sec)

She was given a great gift from God: her voice. And she used it well. People loved Aretha. She was a special woman. So I just want to pass on my warmest, best wishes and sympathies to her family.

Donald Trump

00:01:54 - 00:02:13 (19 sec)

We meet at a time of great opportunity for our nation. Our economy is doing better than it ever has before. It was going in the wrong direction when we came onboard, and now it's going better than ever before.

Donald Trump

00:02:13 - 00:02:22 (9 sec)

We've created nearly 4 million new jobs since the election, which is an unthinkable number. Nobody would have said that was possible. It's going to go up very substantially from there.

Donald Trump

00:02:22 - 00:02:42 (20 sec)

The African American, Hispanic American, and Asian American unemployment rates have all reached their lowest levels in recorded history. And we're creating manufacturing jobs at the fastest pace in memory. Nobody has any numbers where it's anywhere close to what we're doing.

Donald Trump

00:02:42 - 00:02:48 (6 sec)

And if you remember, during the campaign, everybody said that it was impossible to create manufacturing jobs.

Donald Trump

00:02:48 - 00:03:00 (12 sec)

The past administration -- and I won't say who, but I think you know -- made the statement that we're not going to have any manufacturing jobs. And we're doing them by the hundreds of thousands.

Donald Trump

00:03:00 - 00:03:10 (10 sec)

Companies are moving back into the United States. That means jobs; it means production; it means taxes. And, really, things are great.

Donald Trump

00:03:10 - 00:03:37 (27 sec)

Yesterday, Larry Kudlow, a man I respected for many years -- that voice, that beautiful voice; I've heard it so many years, talking about financial -- and he came into my office and he made a statement that was something that was very beautiful, and I'd like to maybe ask him to say a little bit about what he told me last night. Larry?

Larry Kudlow

00:03:37 - 00:03:41 (4 sec)

Yes, sir. Thank you. Appreciate it. Hi, everybody.

Larry Kudlow

00:03:41 - 00:03:58 (17 sec)

So, look, it's fairly simple thought -- most good things are. But I'm looking at the media, and watching various TV and other outlets talk about stuff that baffles me, that's outside my lane.

Larry Kudlow

00:03:58 - 00:04:17 (20 sec)

Here's the key point I made to the President yesterday and I make it to you today, and I hope we all we keep making it: By far -- by far -- the single biggest event, be it political or otherwise, this year is an economic boom that most people thought would be impossible to generate. Not a rise, not a blip -- a genuine economic boom.

Larry Kudlow

00:04:17 - 00:05:08 (50 sec)

And everybody wrote us off, going back to the campaign, and as it was put into place last year, and now the follow through this year. And the numbers are coming in; they just keep coming in, which is one of the reasons I tried to get a hold of the President on this. I mean, we've got 3.1 percent GDP in the first half of the year; 4.1 in the second quarter. The Atlanta Fed is predicting 4.3 in the third quarter. I think it's a very realistic estimate.

Larry Kudlow

00:05:08 - 00:05:27 (19 sec)

Here's the point: Anybody who does political forecasting using the economy always focuses on a number -- hang with me -- real disposable income. Just think of it as after-tax pay -- "take-home pay," Ronald Reagan used to say (inaudible).

Larry Kudlow

00:05:27 - 00:05:56 (30 sec)

So that measure is growing at 3.1 percent the last 12 months. When we came to office, it was less than 1 percent on a 12-month basis. It has jumped. So people say only a few are benefitting. Not true. This is a measure of the entire economy. Everyone's wages and salaries, adjusted for taxes and adjusted for inflation, is growing at 3 percent. It's a tremendous number. And there's no signs that's abating.

Larry Kudlow

00:05:56 - 00:06:25 (28 sec)

Confidence -- confidence numbers: Large businesses, small businesses, and consumer confidence numbers are at or near record highs, and, from the latest surveys, are continuing to rise. There's no letup in the increase. And confidence is everything. Confidence is everything. And I can run down the litany -- I'm not going to take up your time. I'm just saying.

Larry Kudlow

00:06:25 - 00:06:55 (30 sec)

The really wonderful part of the story for me -- and, you know, I get off on this stuff, I understand that -- but it's very important for the country, Americans, the workforce. The new numbers coming in -- retail sales, industrial production, low inflation, a rock-steady dollar. Trillions of dollars of capital from all over the world is coming into the United States because our economy, our investors, our workforce are crushing it right now. We are crushing it.

Larry Kudlow

00:06:55 - 00:07:29 (34 sec)

And people say this is not sustainable, it's a one-quarter blip. It's just nonsense, absolute nonsense. Any business economist worth his or her salt would look at these trends and tell you we're going for a while. We have low inventories. We have rising business investment. Productivity is showing the first lift in years; the last number was 1.3 percent for the year. We haven't seen that in a long time. Businesses are investing. Capital goods is booming. This is a complete turnaround. It's like, if you give Americans some freedom to run, they will run. All right?

Larry Kudlow

00:07:29 - 00:07:58 (29 sec)

And presidential policy -- low tax rates, roll back regulations, open up energy, trade reforms to help the American workforce and the employers -- across the board, we're not punishing success; we're rewarding success. We're not against businesses; we are for businesses. And we have a President who, in my words, was telling folks to take a rip at the ball, and they're doing it.

Larry Kudlow

00:07:58 - 00:08:15 (16 sec)

And again, people may disagree with me, but I'm saying, this -- we are just in the early stages. We're in the early innings here. We never had a cap goods boom. We're now starting. And we've never seen income numbers like this -- again, after tax, after inflation.

Larry Kudlow

00:08:15 - 00:08:34 (19 sec)

Policies matter. I mean, America's free market economy -- ordinary people run our economy, entrepreneurs. That's the beauty of it. But policies matter. And when you change that switch, as President Trump has changed that switch, things are happening that a handful of us thought might happen, but I would not say it was widespread.

Larry Kudlow

00:08:34 - 00:08:52 (18 sec)

So I'll just end, sir. And I appreciate the time very much. The single biggest story this year is an economic boom that is durable and lasting, and that most people thought was impossible. And they were wrong. And you were right, sir.

Donald Trump

00:08:52 - 00:09:16 (24 sec)

Thank you, Larry, very much. Larry, I should end on that. This is always a mistake. [Laughter] Could I ask you one question? China. As you know, China was, for many years -- as long as anybody up here, including the media, could remember -- China was on a one-way road to becoming the biggest economy and all of that. And we were just going to be left behind.

Donald Trump

00:09:16 - 00:09:32 (16 sec)

I'd like you to say how are we doing versus China, and how is China doing. We want them to do well, frankly. And President Xi is a friend of mine. I want them to do well. But how are we doing versus China? How is China doing?

Larry Kudlow

00:09:32 - 00:10:07 (36 sec)

You know, sir, the latest batch of numbers from China, spanning a good six months now, nine months -- their economy is just heading south. Retail sales, business -- business investment is collapsing in China, according to the numbers. Industrial production has fallen and now is plateauing at a low level. People are selling the currency; there may be some manipulation. But mostly, I think investors are moving out of China because they don't like the economy, and they're coming to the USA because they like our economy.

Larry Kudlow

00:10:07 - 00:10:16 (9 sec)

I'm not a China expert, although I'm boning up as fast as I can. I will just say, right now, their economy looks terrible.

Donald Trump

00:10:16 - 00:10:20 (4 sec)

Okay, thank you. Thank you very much, Larry.

Larry Kudlow

00:10:20 - 00:10:21 (1 sec)

Thank you, sir.

Donald Trump

00:10:21 - 00:10:44 (22 sec)

I'd like to ask Ryan Zinke, Secretary, who actually I watched this morning. He was giving a rundown on the horrible fires that are taking place mostly in California. And I thought what he said was so true and, actually, rather incredible -- people don't hear it -- they don't hear it like it is. There are things you can do about those fires before they start, and you wouldn't have nearly the damage and the problems.

Donald Trump

00:10:44 - 00:11:09 (26 sec)

We're spending a fortune in California because of poor maintenance and because, frankly, they're sending a lot of water out to the Pacific to protect the smelt. And, by the way, it's not working. The smelt is not doing well. But we're sending millions and millions of gallons, right out into the Pacific Ocean, of beautiful, clean water coming up from the north -- or coming down from the north.

Donald Trump

00:11:09 - 00:11:28 (18 sec)

And I thought Ryan was great this morning. So before we start on a couple of other things we'll be discussing today, including, very importantly, schools and education, I would ask you to give maybe a little recap of what you said this morning on television.

Ryan Zinke

00:11:28 - 00:11:50 (22 sec)

Well, thank you, Mr. President. And first, our firefighters -- which there are 30,000 of them -- are doing spectacular things. We've had six deaths related. And we forget that firefighters, while they're in the frontline, their homes and families are in jeopardy, and our hearts and prayers need to be with our frontline firefighters that are out there every day.

Ryan Zinke

00:11:50 - 00:12:23 (33 sec)

It is a matter of gross mismanagement; there is no question. The fuel loads are up. The density of our forests is historical. We have dead and dying timber. And if you don't believe me, believe your own eyes: Go out and take a look at our forests. Take a drive out there and look at the dead and dying timber. It's been a gross mismanagement for decades. But we're burning our forests, we're destroying our habitats, and we're destroying our communities and neighborhoods by these catastrophic fires of two-, three-hundred-thousand acres.

Ryan Zinke

00:12:23 - 00:12:43 (19 sec)

Thus far, there's 5.7 million acres of our public lands that have been destroyed at a cost of about $3 billion this fiscal year. Americans deserve to go out and recreate rather than evacuate. So we went out -- Secretary Perdue and I went out to California. We are committed to reestablishing sound science, best practices for the greatest good for all of us.

Ryan Zinke

00:12:43 - 00:13:01 (19 sec)

But sound active management, Mr. President, is the path that you have laid. And it's clear: This is unacceptable that year after year we're watching our forests burn, our habitat destroyed, and our communities devastated. And it is absolutely preventable. And public lands are for everybody to enjoy and not just held hostage by these special interest groups.

Ryan Zinke

00:13:01 - 00:13:05 (4 sec)

Donald Trump

00:13:05 - 00:13:30 (25 sec)

And, Ryan, you're saying it's not a global warming thing, it's a management situation. And one of the elements that he talked about was the fact we have fallen trees. And instead of removing those fallen trees -- which get to be extremely combustible -- instead of removing them -- gently removing them, beautifully removing them -- we leave them to burn and, actually, in many cases, catch fire much easier than a healthy tree, a healthy-growing tree. Could you just discuss that for a second?

Ryan Zinke

00:13:30 - 00:13:54 (24 sec)

Well, Mr. President, we import lumber in this country, and yet there are billions of board feet that are on the forest floor rotting. Rotting. And whether you're a global warmist advocate or denier, it doesn't make a difference when you have rotting timber, when housing prices are going up, when a lot of Americans are right at that border of affording a house, and yet we are wasting billions of board feet for not being able to bring them to a local lumber mill. It is unconscionable that we would do that to our citizens.

Ryan Zinke

00:13:54 - 00:14:30 (35 sec)

And so, Mr. President, we are actively engaged. We have signed secretarial orders. Secretary Perdue and I went out to California. We are joined at the hip to make sure we actively manage our forest, remove the dead and dying timber, replant diversity of species. And on the salvage operations -- 5.7 million acres -- a lot of that can be salvaged if we get to it in the first year. And we're going to do it, Mr. President.

Donald Trump

00:14:30 - 00:14:49 (19 sec)

And just to add, just to conclude, especially when Canada is charging us a lot of money to bring their timber down into our country. It's so ridiculous. Here we have it. We're not even talking about cutting down trees, which in certain areas we can do. We're talking about lying on the floor, creating a tremendous hazard and a tremendous fire hazard and death trap. So I thought they were great points. Thank you very much, Ryan. Appreciate it.

Donald Trump

00:14:49 - 00:15:03 (14 sec)

We're also working to reduce violent crime and to help our great law enforcement, including the very brave men and women of ICE, who have been absolutely abused. They are tremendous people. They're brave. They're strong. They're tough. And they're good. They're good people.

Donald Trump

00:15:03 - 00:15:08 (5 sec)

And you think you're going to send just regular people in to take care of MS-13 and these gangs? Not going to happen.

Donald Trump

00:15:08 - 00:15:19 (11 sec)

So I just want to thank ICE and everybody in law enforcement for the incredible job they've done and are doing.

Donald Trump

00:15:19 - 00:15:52 (33 sec)

Our families prepare, and they are in the process of preparing for the new school year. My administration is working closely with state and local authorities to protect our schools and to protect our children. Our hearts continue to grieve for the victims of the horrific shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida that we all know too well about what they went through. Incredible people. And Santa Fe High School in Texas -- same thing.

Donald Trump

00:15:52 - 00:16:12 (21 sec)

In March, I established the Federal Commission on School Safety to address the tragedy of violence in our classrooms. Since that time, the commission has held nearly a dozen public meetings and listening sessions with educators, administrators, law enforcement, state and local leaders, survivors, and families generally.

Donald Trump

00:16:12 - 00:16:46 (34 sec)

We've signed two critical forms and -- reforms into law. One is STOP School Violence Act. It's a very important thing. People said we probably wouldn't be able to get it through. We got it through. It provides grants to schools to improve safety. And the Fix NICS Act, which strengthens background checks for firearms purchases. It very much strengthens. A lot of people didn't want to report on that because probably it was too good to report about it. It's very important thing. It strengthens that background checks for firearm purchases.

Donald Trump

00:16:46 - 00:17:02 (16 sec)

Today, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and others, and various commission leaders, will provide an update on their work. We're going to have a lot of people in this room involved, even people that aren't involved that much with education. But they're very smart people sitting around this wonderful desk, or table.

Donald Trump

00:17:02 - 00:17:19 (17 sec)

Secretary Azar, Nielsen, and Sessions -- a lot of other people are being -- joining. A lot of people have asked me if they could join. Ben -- Ben Carson is one. A lot of people have asked me if they could join. They consider the schools to be so important in education, and now so important in safety.

Donald Trump

00:17:19 - 00:17:35 (16 sec)

We want to harden our schools against attack --improving communications between law enforcement, school officials, mental health professionals, and counselors; training school personnel so they better protect our students, including allowing qualified personnel to be armed.

Donald Trump

00:17:35 - 00:17:50 (15 sec)

As you know, in Florida, they went in with a bill that didn't have that, and they came out with a bill where the legislature wanted it. So that's up to the community, not up to the federal government. That's up to the community.

Donald Trump

00:17:50 - 00:18:12 (22 sec)

Improving our early warning system to make sure schools, families, and law enforcement can identify red flags and respond quickly. We want a very rapid response. Some of the response has been incredible, and some of the response has not been good, obviously. You saw that very well. And, frankly, you reported it very well.

Donald Trump

00:18:12 - 00:18:30 (18 sec)

We want to strengthen our mental health laws and procedures. So important. I think it's probably the most underrated element of what we're doing, but it might be -- it might be the most important. Mental health -- the laws and procedures.

Donald Trump

00:18:30 - 00:19:08 (38 sec)

Keeping guns -- we want to keep them out of the hands of those who pose a threat to themselves and to, more importantly, frankly, others. And we want to foster a culture that celebrates life, and forms real and meaningful human connection so that we can see not only in terms of education, but we can see if something is going wrong with somebody, we can do something about it.

Donald Trump

00:19:08 - 00:19:22 (14 sec)

In Florida, there were a lot of red flags. I guess they said there were 28 to 38 red flags, where everybody knew this was a sick person. And nobody did anything about it. And that's what you end up with.

Donald Trump

00:19:22 - 00:19:34 (12 sec)

So I look forward to today's discussion. And we will make our schools not only very safe -- I think they're already safe -- but we're going to have the finest school system anywhere. So I want to thank you. Thank you all for being here.

Donald Trump

00:19:34 - 00:19:47 (13 sec)

Betsy, maybe we could start with you. And we'll go over your little section, and then we'll hear from Secretary Azar, Attorney General Sessions, and a couple of others.

Donald Trump

00:19:47 - 00:19:54 (6 sec)

If you'd like, you could stay. Or if you'd like, you can also leave. [Laughter] Don't forget: freedom of the press. [Laughter] Go ahead.

Betsy DeVos

00:19:54 - 00:20:08 (15 sec)

Well, thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, after the tragedy in Parkland, Florida, you took swift action. No parent should fear for their child's life when they go to school. And no student, no teacher should ever have to worry about their safety at school.

Betsy DeVos

00:20:08 - 00:20:34 (26 sec)

You convened students, families, and educators to have an honest dialogue. You pressed Congress to pass Fix NICS and the STOP School Violence Acts. You called governors, state and local leaders to action. You asked me to travel to Parkland to visit with students and teachers. And, Mr. President, you traveled to Texas in May to meet with parents, families, and survivors of the shooting at the Santa Fe high school.

Betsy DeVos

00:20:34 - 00:20:50 (16 sec)

We've suffered too many heartbreaking reminders that our nation must come together to address the underlying issues that foster a culture of violence. And you rightly insisted, from day one, that we wouldn't keep our children safe by looking only at any one particular piece of this much larger problem.

Betsy DeVos

00:20:50 - 00:21:12 (21 sec)

When you asked me to chair the Federal Commission on School Safety, you directed us to explore a range of issues, including mental health treatment, social-emotional learning, the difference that armed school resource officers make on a daily basis, the impact of violent entertainment on the development of young children, the gaps or failures among local officials when they're aware of a troubled minor and fail to act, along with a number of other issues.

Betsy DeVos

00:21:12 - 00:21:30 (18 sec)

So we set out to gain input from students, parents, teachers, school safety personnel, administrators, law enforcement officials, state and local leaders, mental health professionals, school counselors, anyone and everyone who's focused on identifying and elevating solutions.

Betsy DeVos

00:21:30 - 00:21:36 (7 sec)

I invite my colleagues to look at the slides included in your books, which are a small insight into the commission's information-gathering process.

Betsy DeVos

00:21:36 - 00:21:59 (23 sec)

I've been very pleased to work with my fellow commission members -- Attorney General Sessions, Secretary Azar, and Secretary Nielsen to do exactly that: to learn from those closest to students. Our aim isn't to impose a one-size-fits-all solution for everyone, everywhere. The primary responsibility for the physical security of schools and the safety of their students naturally rests with states and local communities.

Betsy DeVos

00:21:59 - 00:22:10 (11 sec)

And it's clear from all of our work thus far that many schools and communities take this responsibility very seriously. Many have employed solutions that uniquely meet their needs and requirements.

Betsy DeVos

00:22:10 - 00:22:32 (22 sec)

It's also clear that keeping kids safe at school is not a one-time, check-the-box exercise -- a safety plan you implement once and call it good. It requires a posture of perpetual preparedness. And what's necessary and right for a school with 50 students in Cheyenne is very different than what's necessary and right for a school in Chicago.

Betsy DeVos

00:22:32 - 00:22:51 (19 sec)

Let me briefly tell you about the meetings the Department of Education has specifically led. In May, I met with survivors and family members affected by past shootings -- individuals from Columbine, Virginia Tech, Sandy Hook, and also from Parkland. In addition, we heard from authors of the reports written in the aftermath of those shootings.

Betsy DeVos

00:22:51 - 00:23:11 (20 sec)

Later in May, we visited Hebron-Harman Elementary School in Maryland. Hebron-Harman's district uses a flexible framework of positive behavior interventions and support, modeling one way schools can help create a strong school climate. This approach brings to mind the First Lady's strong leadership on wellbeing and social-emotional learning through her BE BEST initiative.

Betsy DeVos

00:23:11 - 00:23:23 (13 sec)

And then here at the White House, in June, we met to hear some practical strategies that schools could use to combat negative effects of violent entertainment, media, and cyberbullying. A key takeaway: Culture and climate really matter in schools.

Betsy DeVos

00:23:23 - 00:23:41 (18 sec)

I was struck and impressed by the obvious passion of Paul Gausman, a superintendent from Iowa. It takes strong leadership to create a positive culture, and that flows from empowered educators who know their students well.

Betsy DeVos

00:23:41 - 00:23:53 (11 sec)

Each of my fellow commissioners have led other field and commission meetings during the course of our work. So now I'd like to ask Secretary Azar to talk about the work of HHS in the context of the commission.

Donald Trump

00:23:53 - 00:23:54 (1 sec)

Thank you, Betsy.

Alex Azar

00:23:54 - 00:24:19 (25 sec)

Well, Mr. President, thank you for the opportunity to be on the School Safety Commission. And I'd like to thank Secretary DeVos for her tremendous and tireless leadership of the commission, and fellow commissioners -- the Attorney General and Secretary Nielsen.

Alex Azar

00:24:19 - 00:24:35 (16 sec)

We at HHS have focused on the really critical role you pointed out of mental health. Mental health is so central to these issues of school violence and safety. And so that's been our area of focus.

Alex Azar

00:24:35 - 00:24:59 (24 sec)

I think it's very important to remember, though, that we not stigmatize those with mental illness. Most crimes of violence are not committed by those with serious mental illness. Those with serious mental illness are actually more likely than others to be victims of crimes of violence. And those who are receiving treatment for serious mental illness are no greater threat than any other individual for committing a crime of violence. That's just important that we remember as we talk about these important issues.

Alex Azar

00:24:59 - 00:25:07 (9 sec)

There are really three key mental health issues that we've identified through our work on the commission: access, privacy, and civil commitment.

Alex Azar

00:25:07 - 00:25:36 (28 sec)

Access: How do expand access to mental health services overall for children and others? Second, how do we integrate that mental health service into our schools, delivering that service where the kids feel most comfortable and where they can get it best, and where the stigma can be the least? How do we look at the appropriate use of different psychotropic medicines -- appropriate and inappropriate use? We studied that carefully.

Alex Azar

00:25:36 - 00:25:51 (16 sec)

Our privacy rules in the federal government: Where do our privacy rules get in the way of kids getting care? Where do they get in the way of teachers and administrators reporting children who need help? Where do they get in the way of family members getting the care that their other family members need?

Alex Azar

00:25:51 - 00:26:10 (19 sec)

And then, finally, understanding how civil commitment may help address serious mental illness. We studied these issues in our meetings that we hosted here in Washington, as well as an excellent field visit that we took to a middle school in Wisconsin.

Alex Azar

00:26:10 - 00:26:41 (31 sec)

On access, we learned how integrating services in the schools is ideal; it can really decrease stigma and meet the kids where they are. We learned that one in five youth suffer from some form of mental disorder, but half of them are not getting treatment for it. We learned that school-based care leads to improved grades, better attendance, health, and mental health care and outcomes. We learned that medications are over-utilized and under-utilized, depending on the circumstance. And we learned that we need much more research on these medications and their use in a youth population.

Alex Azar

00:26:41 - 00:27:06 (25 sec)

On privacy, we learned how misunderstood the rules are, and how often over-counseled and over-interpreted those rules are. We learned the barriers of families getting care for their kids and family members treatment that they need. And we also see how -- we saw, very importantly, how this issue comes up in the issue of opioids and substance-use disorder -- how it's preventing family members from getting their other family members treatment.

Alex Azar

00:27:06 - 00:27:16 (10 sec)

So we're looking at any needed changes that we can take -- and that will be in the report -- better training, as well as changes to our rules, to help schools, families, and healthcare providers.

Alex Azar

00:27:16 - 00:27:42 (25 sec)

We got to see great work in local communities. The school -- this middle school we went to in Adams County, in Wisconsin, was just tremendous. Integrated mental health services in the schools. They train their teachers to recognize mental health issues. And they just built a supportive, happy environment that any one of us would be delighted to send our children into -- in an area that, frankly, suffers from tremendous poverty, and yet they still were able to deliver that.

Alex Azar

00:27:42 - 00:28:03 (22 sec)

This was done through funding by HHS, the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Agency, in close partnership with the governor in the state of Wisconsin. It shows that it can be done. This can be solved. Seventy-five percent of serious mental illness starts by the age of 25, so we've got to get these kids in middle school, in senior high, and in college.

Alex Azar

00:28:03 - 00:28:17 (14 sec)

We look forward to highlighting areas that we can improve our delivery, through the work of the commission and our report. And we're just grateful to the President for his leadership to help our children have a safe, healthy, happy school environment.

Alex Azar

00:28:17 - 00:28:18 (1 sec)

Thank you, sir.

Donald Trump

00:28:18 - 00:28:26 (8 sec)

Well, thank you very much, and I appreciate it. But I do want you to bring up something that you and I have been working on very hard, and that's prescription drug prices.

Donald Trump

00:28:26 - 00:29:01 (35 sec)

So, as everybody knows, Pfizer, last week, raised substantially the price of their drugs, and I wasn't happy about it -- Novartis, also, and others. And we made some phone calls, and they brought it back down to what the price was. And I think you're going to see a reduction in drug price. And that's the first time that's ever happened, I believe, ever. But I was not happy about it, and it wasn't great. And we're working on very much getting rid of the middleman.

Donald Trump

00:29:01 - 00:29:30 (28 sec)

Now, could you talk about how we're reducing drug prices, and how it's starting to really take effect? And maybe talk about the fact that we appreciate very much what Pfizer and Novartis and the others did. We really do; we really appreciate it.

Alex Azar

00:29:30 - 00:29:58 (28 sec)

That is correct. So just for the media and others, I have said that I have never once had a discussion with President Trump where we have not discussed drug pricing, and we continue batting a thousand here today. He is adamant about bringing drug prices down, and it has come through the hundred days of work that we have gone through since the President released his blueprint on reducing drug prices and putting American patients first.

Alex Azar

00:29:58 - 00:30:11 (13 sec)

As the President said, there have been some really significant moves, because the drug companies and others in the system see the writing on the wall. The system is going to change, prices will come down, and they are skating from where the puck is going to be.

Alex Azar

00:30:11 - 00:30:35 (24 sec)

We've had 15 companies make significant announcements around drug pricing. Pfizer reversed its price increases. Merck announced that it's going to be decreasing prices. We've had several other companies who had told state regulators that they were going to increase prices, and they have now walked back and said they will not follow through on those increases. And we've seen over a dozen companies say that they will have no further price increases for the rest of the year.

Alex Azar

00:30:35 - 00:30:47 (12 sec)

We'll be coming out with a report on the hundred days' progress that we've made so far next week, and that will have even more information for you about the historic changes we're already experiencing in the drug pricing market.

Alex Azar

00:30:47 - 00:31:09 (22 sec)

We've done some transformative things under the President's leadership already. For the first time in history, the President is introducing a regime to important drugs from other developed countries that do not violate intellectual property rights in the United States here. So these are products that are not under patent protection, but where the company -- the single company -- holds that drug in the U.S. and has increased price.

Alex Azar

00:31:09 - 00:31:18 (9 sec)

We're going to let competition come in to ensure patient access and competition here in the United States. For the first time in history, this President has done that.

Alex Azar

00:31:18 - 00:31:38 (20 sec)

In addition, for the first time in history, President Trump is bringing negotiation and discounts to our Medicare Part B drug program. That is the drug program where doctors administer the drugs for all of its history. We simply pay sticker price for drugs -- no discounting, no rebates, no control.

Alex Azar

00:31:38 - 00:31:59 (21 sec)

For the first time ever, we are unleashing our Medicare Advantage plans to negotiate discounting on $12 billion of drugs. And every penny we save is going to be money that the patients save, because we're mandating that over 50 percent of all savings be passed back to the patient from the work of these insurance companies negotiating against the drug companies.

Alex Azar

00:31:59 - 00:32:14 (15 sec)

So everybody is seeing the changes coming. We've had historic rates this last month -- the highest level of generic drug approval by Commissioner Gottlieb ever in history. We're increasing competition. We're increasing the approval of new branded drugs, and bringing new therapies to market.

Alex Azar

00:32:14 - 00:32:33 (19 sec)

So it's not going to change overnight. This is a $400 billion segment of the economy. We are not driving for any kind of cheap gimmicks or quick solutions. We're doing things the right way; we are structurally rebuilding this entire segment of the economy to lead to enduring, lower prices that are sustainable and support innovation.

Donald Trump

00:32:33 - 00:32:45 (11 sec)

Thank you very much. And as you know, the pharmaceutical industry is said, for many years, to have the most powerful lobby. The good news is, I don't need their money. So we're doing the right thing.

Donald Trump

00:32:45 - 00:33:06 (22 sec)

And, frankly, I think the drug companies, actually, in the long run -- I really believe this, Secretary -- I think they're going to benefit also. But the middleman is not going to be benefitting. Somebody and -- some very rich people out there that do nothing, make a lot of money. Very rich people. I don't know who they are; I don't want to know who they are. But they don't like me too much right now, I would say. Wouldn't you say?

Alex Azar

00:33:06 - 00:33:08 (1 sec)

You and me. [Laughs]

Donald Trump

00:33:08 - 00:33:27 (20 sec)

So, congratulations. Thank you very much. This is -- in terms of prescription drugs and drugs, nothing like this has ever happened before in our country. And I will say that the Democrats heard about it. They're very happy about it, or so they tell me. I'm sure they won't tell you, but they can't believe what's happening.

Donald Trump

00:33:27 - 00:33:45 (17 sec)

So -- because they want to see that too. They want to see drug prices come down. And nobody has ever seen where they raise the prices 10 percent, and the following day they announce that they were just kidding. But that's what happened. So thank you very much, Secretary. Fantastic job. You're doing a fantastic job. Jeff.

Jeff Sessions

00:33:45 - 00:34:12 (28 sec)

Well, thank you. On drugs, you directed us to reduce opioids by 30 percent. We believe that is achievable. We believe there is at least that much abuse in the opioid prescriptions. And DEA just announced today, reducing the number that lawfully can be produced, as we've indicted 170 physicians who have been prescribing, unlawfully, to people who are addicted to drugs.

Jeff Sessions

00:34:12 - 00:34:32 (20 sec)

Betsy DeVos has done a great job leading our commission. I've attended five -- all five of the meetings. We've learned a great deal. She is going to lead us to have a report before the deadline -- in advance of it. And I think it will definitely help make schools safer.

Jeff Sessions

00:34:32 - 00:34:53 (21 sec)

I would also say that, in addition to those meetings, I met with some 18 law officers, many of whom -- some were at Columbine, Aurora, and Parkland -- who were there when it happened. They believe that we need to do a better job of sharing information to identify the red flags that you mentioned earlier.

Jeff Sessions

00:34:53 - 00:35:31 (37 sec)

The juvenile courts are totally secret. Police have secrecy rules. Schools have secrecy rules. Mental health people have secrecy rules. Medical professionals have secrecy rules. And we think we can do a better job of identifying our children at risk, children who are suffering, children who may be at risk for suicide, if not violence too. And then create an environment where the teachers and administrators know what's lawful for them to share, and not be sued for it. I do think we can make progress in that regard.

Jeff Sessions

00:35:31 - 00:36:03 (33 sec)

You also asked us to fix the NICS system. We got legislation -- you did -- to help that. We are pressing that every day. So more jurisdictions are bringing in -- coming into the system and reporting all their convictions. We need to continue to press mental health adjudications. So those need to be in the system too to protect people who are mentally unstable from purchasing a gun, who have declared them unfit.

Jeff Sessions

00:36:03 - 00:36:21 (17 sec)

And we have got two different grant programs -- $50 million and $25 million -- that will help hire school resource officers who are trained, and also to train teachers, professionals, administrators to carry guns.

Jeff Sessions

00:36:21 - 00:36:43 (22 sec)

Just in addition, I attended a school in Arkansas. They've been allowing their administrators to have guns for years. Parents, teachers, people who graduated from the school -- all favored that -- would not want to change it. It's just another example that we don't need to micromanage our schools on how they protect the safety of their children.

Donald Trump

00:36:43 - 00:37:10 (28 sec)

Good. Thank you very much. I'd also like to ask you to bring a major lawsuit against the drug companies on opioids. Some states have done it, but I'd like a lawsuit to be brought against these companies that are really sending opioids at a level that it shouldn't be happening. It's so highly addictive. People go into a hospital with a broken arm; they come out, they're a drug addict. They get the arm fixed, but they're now a drug addict.

Donald Trump

00:37:10 - 00:37:20 (10 sec)

And I'd like us to look at some of the litigation that's already been started with companies. Rather than just joining them, I'd like to bring a federal lawsuit against those companies.

Donald Trump

00:37:20 - 00:37:47 (27 sec)

I'd also like to have you take a look at the fentanyl that's coming out of China and Mexico. And whatever you can do from a legal standpoint -- whether it's litigation, lawsuits, for people and companies. But, in China, you have some pretty big companies sending that garbage and killing our people. It's almost a form of warfare. And I'd like to do whatever you can do legally to stop it from China and from Mexico. And if you could look into that, I'd appreciate it.

Jeff Sessions

00:37:47 - 00:38:06 (19 sec)

We absolutely will. We're returning indictments now against distributors from China. We've identified certain companies that are moving drugs from China, fentanyl in particular. We have confronted China about it -- Secretary Pompeo has. You have personally raised it with them.

Donald Trump

00:38:06 - 00:38:07 (1 sec)

Jeff Sessions

00:38:07 - 00:38:18 (11 sec)

And we have not achieved as much advantage as we would like. Most of it is going to Mexico, and then crossing the border unlawfully from Mexico. We're going to work on that.

Jeff Sessions

00:38:18 - 00:38:33 (15 sec)

You've made clear you want us to sue and use legal process against drug companies that are abusing the law for some time now. We've joined with the states, and we are looking at various different legal avenues to go after abusive companies.

Donald Trump

00:38:33 - 00:38:48 (16 sec)

Good. Good. I'd be very, very firm on that, because what's happening with drugs in this country -- and throughout the world, but, in our country, it's a disgrace, and we can stop it. We can certainly make a big dent. Thank you very much.

Jeff Sessions

00:38:48 - 00:38:53 (5 sec)

We've never seen the deaths that we are seeing today. It's unprecedented in American history.

Donald Trump

00:38:53 - 00:38:56 (3 sec)

Right. Thank you very much. Secretary Nielsen.

Kirstjen Nielsen

00:38:56 - 00:39:18 (22 sec)

I'd just like to start by, of course, adding my thanks to the other commission members. We've all been working hard and we thank you, sir, for your leadership. This is currently an example where young lives depend on our ability to take bold action. So I'm very confident that the report that Secretary DeVos is pulling together will do just that. And so I look forward, first, to be able to share that with you.

Kirstjen Nielsen

00:39:18 - 00:39:33 (14 sec)

At DHS, most of DHS is involved in this because we do so much on preparedness and working with state and local communities. So we're bringing all of our best practices to bear to really tailor solutions and offer them up through various guidebooks to the communities.

Kirstjen Nielsen

00:39:33 - 00:39:41 (8 sec)

As Secretary DeVos said, there is one -- there is not one size fits all. So we need to work individually with the communities and find what it is that they need.

Kirstjen Nielsen

00:39:41 - 00:39:57 (16 sec)

We're looking at training and exercises. Exercises, we all know, play a very important part of a community's ability to be prepared. Practicing does not make perfect but it does make automatic. And that muscle memory is the difference between saving a life and waiting to figure out what it is that you should do in the event of a disaster.

Kirstjen Nielsen

00:39:57 - 00:40:18 (21 sec)

Today, we're going to have another meeting. I'll be joined by my commissioners. We'll look at best practices. We'll look at active shooter. We're having some practitioners come. We do this always as a school-based approach. Secretary DeVos has a great slide in our book of all the many, many states that we've all interacted with. We're really trying to get that input from across the -- across the nation.

Kirstjen Nielsen

00:40:18 - 00:40:24 (6 sec)

So thank you for your leadership. I think you'll be very pleased with what we're able to come up with, working with our communities.

Donald Trump

00:40:24 - 00:40:35 (11 sec)

Could you say something that, despite the horrible immigration laws that we have to live with -- with catch-and-release and all of the horror show -- it's a horror show. It's a disgrace, frankly. We'll get it changed.

Donald Trump

00:40:35 - 00:40:53 (18 sec)

But having a lot of problem with the other party. They don't want to change for, I guess, political reasons; it can't be common sense. Could you say how we're doing in terms of -- we're breaking records at the border -- law enforcement records. Could you maybe just give a little update on that?

Kirstjen Nielsen

00:40:53 - 00:40:53 (1 sec)

Donald Trump

00:40:53 - 00:40:56 (3 sec)

Despite the horrible laws, we're doing very well. Please.

Kirstjen Nielsen

00:40:56 - 00:41:13 (17 sec)

We are -- in three different ways. In conjunction with our partners at the Department of Justice, continually the headlines show that we interdict more and more drugs at the border each month. And that is great. So every time we have a new record, a couple weeks later we surpass it with the amount of drugs we're able to interdict.

Kirstjen Nielsen

00:41:13 - 00:41:33 (20 sec)

So we're using a particular type of technology -- advanced technology: nonintrusive inspection at the ports of entry. We also are doing much more on interdicting just border crossers who cross illegally. So you've seen the numbers in July go down substantially from the time before.

Kirstjen Nielsen

00:41:33 - 00:41:51 (18 sec)

What's still difficult, though, are the populations that we are not able to prosecute given a variety of current court cases. So we continue to work with Congress. There has to be consequences. Nothing changes; we know this throughout the legal system. I mean, this is true of any part of the world. If there's no consequences for breaking the law, unfortunately people will continue to do so.

Kirstjen Nielsen

00:41:51 - 00:42:11 (20 sec)

So we're working with countries to the south of us to help them understand other options for migrations flows to protect their communities at the beginning of that journey so they don't pay smugglers. There's a whole variety of Cabinet members here that are working on the fight against TCOs. We're having a lot of success against that type of a crime and criminal as well.

Kirstjen Nielsen

00:42:11 - 00:42:17 (6 sec)

So it's good news. We are doing everything we can within executive power, but we have to get Congress to act.

Donald Trump

00:42:17 - 00:42:46 (29 sec)

We're setting records at the border with terrible laws. So if we had the right laws, we could really be doing something special. And there are consequences. When people come up -- and I'll say it -- when people come up, it's very tough. It's very tough for them. And it's very sad. But we can't handle it. The country can't handle it. You know, we're one country; we cannot handle what's happening. And nobody could. And we don't want to have to be able to handle it, frankly. It's not fair. It's not fair to our taxpayers, to our workers.

Donald Trump

00:42:46 - 00:43:03 (17 sec)

And so we are very, very tough at the border. We're setting records despite horrible, horrible immigration laws that the Democrats do not want to fix, and I think that's going to hurt them very badly at the polls come November. That's my opinion. So I want to thank you very much.

Donald Trump

00:43:03 - 00:43:08 (4 sec)

I'd like to ask, Mike, if you could talk a little bit about North Korea -- where we are with North Korea.

Mike Pompeo

00:43:08 - 00:43:24 (17 sec)

Yes, sir, Mr. President. So we're now many months with no additional missile tests. Many months with no additional nuclear testing from the North Koreans. We're continuing to engage in conversation with them about a path forward to a brighter future for the North Koreans.

Mike Pompeo

00:43:24 - 00:43:39 (15 sec)

We have 55 sets of remains that have been returned. The Department of Defense is working on the next work that will hopefully lead to the retain -- returns of not dozens, but hundreds of the remains of our soldiers that were killed in North Korea.

Mike Pompeo

00:43:39 - 00:43:44 (4 sec)

So continuing to make progress and hoping that we can make a big step here before too long.

Donald Trump

00:43:44 - 00:44:05 (21 sec)

And the relationship seems very good. I think it's probably hurt a little bit by China because China isn't really happy with what I'm doing on trade, but we have no other choice as a country. And they understand that. So I think we're probably being hurt a little bit with respect to North Korea, having to do with China. But really, we have no choice on that. We had to do something.

Donald Trump

00:44:05 - 00:44:22 (17 sec)

It was -- the money that was being drained out of our country and going to China. We rebuilt China. We rebuilt. Five-hundred billion dollars a year, for years and years and years. And we had to do something about that. They understand that.

Donald Trump

00:44:22 - 00:44:30 (8 sec)

In fact, I think they're in a state of shock that they've been able to get away with it for so long -- so many decades. So we just have to do something, and we did it.

Donald Trump

00:44:30 - 00:45:00 (30 sec)

Could I ask Secretary Mnuchin -- Turkey, they have not proven to be a good friend. They have a great Christian pastor there. He's a very innocent man. I'd like to know -- unrelated to the pastor -- I just think it's a terrible thing that they're holding him. We got somebody out for him. He needed help getting somebody out of someplace; they came out. They want to hold our wonderful pastor. Not fair. Not right.

Donald Trump

00:45:00 - 00:45:13 (13 sec)

But unrelated to that, how are you doing with sanctions on Turkey? And as you know, we doubled up the tariffs on steel and aluminum. Aluminum will happen very shortly. How are you doing with sanctions? Please.

Steven Mnuchin

00:45:13 - 00:45:29 (16 sec)

Sir, we're doing well. As you know, we were very clear with our counterparts there -- both Secretary Pompeo and myself -- on the release of the pastor. We've put sanctions on several of their cabinet members. Working with you, we have more that we're planning to do if they don't release him quickly.

Steven Mnuchin

00:45:29 - 00:45:42 (13 sec)

I'll also just comment on the rollout of the Iran nuclear sanctions is going extremely well. We're working closely with Secretary Pompeo. Strongest sanctions in preventing things there.

Steven Mnuchin

00:45:42 - 00:45:57 (15 sec)

And continue to be very focused on implementing the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Just rolled out the pass-through regs -- lowest rates we'll have for small business and pass-throughs since the 1930s. And a big part of --

Donald Trump

00:45:57 - 00:45:57 (1 sec)

Steven Mnuchin

00:45:57 - 00:46:00 (3 sec)

-- what Larry Kudlow talked about, in terms of the economic growth.

Donald Trump

00:46:00 - 00:46:04 (4 sec)

Great. Good. Thank you. Great job. Thank you very much.

Donald Trump

00:46:04 - 00:46:19 (15 sec)

Secretary Wilkie, so we got Choice passed for our vets so our vets don't have to wait on line for six weeks and end up with a simple condition that's terminal because they can't get to a doctor. I'm very proud of Choice, and we're talking a lot of the things we've done for the vets.

Donald Trump

00:46:19 - 00:46:26 (7 sec)

But could you give us a little -- how are you doing with Choice? You've had it now for a couple of months. How is that moving along?

Robert Wilkie

00:46:26 - 00:46:41 (15 sec)

Sir, it's moving along well, but I would start with something else. We are experiencing, with the economic boom, lowering rates of vets unemployed. Probably the best trends that we've seen in many, many years.

Donald Trump

00:46:41 - 00:46:44 (3 sec)

Of vets unemployed. That's great. That's great.

Robert Wilkie

00:46:44 - 00:46:50 (6 sec)

And that is -- that is a boon for our warriors across the country.

Robert Wilkie

00:46:50 - 00:47:08 (18 sec)

In terms of the Mission Act, the Director and I -- Director Mulvaney and I will be talking about it tomorrow. We have the opportunity to do what has not been done in many years, and that is widen the aperture when it comes to the health choices available to veterans across the country.

Robert Wilkie

00:47:08 - 00:47:30 (22 sec)

No longer in states like Montana, where Secretary Zinke is from, will they have to travel four- or five-hundred miles round trip. They can do this at home. We're making advances with Mission in the area of telehealth, which is a way to impact the mental health issues that many of our veterans face.

Robert Wilkie

00:47:30 - 00:47:40 (10 sec)

So for the first time, we had a comprehensive and strategic way forward in making the lives of our veterans better. And it is -- it's a wonderful thing.

Donald Trump

00:47:40 - 00:47:42 (2 sec)

Thank you very much.

Robert Wilkie

00:47:42 - 00:47:42 (1 sec)

Donald Trump

00:47:42 - 00:47:45 (2 sec)

I hear you're doing great. And congratulations.

Robert Wilkie

00:47:45 - 00:47:45 (0 sec)

Donald Trump

00:47:45 - 00:47:51 (6 sec)

Just got through. Just got passed. So congratulations. You are going to be there for a long time, and you're going to do a fantastic job.

Donald Trump

00:47:51 - 00:48:10 (19 sec)

It's the first time a Secretary has really had a chance to do a fantastic job. Because without Choice, I think it would have been impossible. So we have Choice now, and our vets are taken care of. And just make sure they go see the right doctor. Right? When they need it. Sometimes they won't need it because you have plenty of great doctors at the VA.

Donald Trump

00:48:10 - 00:48:19 (9 sec)

If I could ask Secretary Acosta a little bit about your association healthcare plan, which has been now completed. It's in service. How are you doing with it?

Alex Acosta

00:48:19 - 00:48:51 (32 sec)

That's correct, Mr. President. Just in the past week -- there were newspaper articles -- a number of chambers of commerce around the country have reported that they've started these plans. They're in the process of offering it to their small businesses. You're seeing chambers in Nevada, in Texas; we're talking to some in Iowa, up in the Minnesota area as well. Associations here in Washington that represent businesses across the country are looking at them.

Alex Acosta

00:48:51 - 00:49:07 (16 sec)

Just today, at the Department, is an association representing members of the gig economy that are looking to start these up. And so for a rule that is just weeks old, we're already seeing implementation and we're seeing quite a bit of excitement.

Alex Acosta

00:49:07 - 00:49:28 (21 sec)

The U.S. Chamber had a call with the members' chambers of commerce. And initially, they weren't going to do the call because it's August and things are very quiet, but they decided to do the call anyhow. And they had a near-record number of local chambers call in, onto the call, to learn how they can go about doing this. So there is a quite a bit of energy and excitement.

Donald Trump

00:49:28 - 00:49:36 (8 sec)

That's fantastic. I appreciate that. And also, Secretary Acosta, you're moving very nicely on your healthcare plans too.

Donald Trump

00:49:36 - 00:49:51 (15 sec)

And one of the big things is the individual mandate is gone. We got rid of that. That was from Obamacare. That was, by far, the most unpopular thing in Obamacare. We actually got rid of Obamacare, except for one vote. But we essentially have -- so we're doing it piecemeal, and it's going to be gone pretty soon.

Donald Trump

00:49:51 - 00:50:04 (12 sec)

So, a fantastic job. I heard great things about the healthcare plan. And a lot of people are signing up; a lot of associations are signing up -- far ahead of what we even projected. So that's good.

Alex Acosta

00:50:04 - 00:50:05 (1 sec)

That's correct. Yes.

Donald Trump

00:50:05 - 00:50:28 (23 sec)

And maybe I could just -- I'll finish off with Secretary Perdue. The farmers -- we love the farmers. And, you know, our farmers are brave and they're great patriots. And, as you know, China sort of attacked our farmers by trying not to buy from our farmers. They know the farmers like Trump, and I like them. I love them.

Donald Trump

00:50:28 - 00:50:47 (19 sec)

And they are, I hear -- despite everything -- they're starting to do well. They got out there -- like they are. They're incredible patriots but they're incredible entrepreneurs. And they're selling the coin -- the corn, and they're selling the soybean, and they're selling everything at levels that are soon going to be pretty good levels.

Donald Trump

00:50:47 - 00:51:24 (37 sec)

And, you know, our farmers have been hurt for 15 and 20 years. They've been -- a lot of bad things were happening. And I talk about soybeans, where, prior to my election -- if you go five years back, soybean prices were cut by 50 percent. So this was happening long before us. And markets are closed. Canada charges us for dairy products, 275 percent -- tariffs of 275 percent -- which makes it ridiculous and impossible. But we're taking care of that situation pretty easily. But I'd like to just ask, how are the farmers doing? I'm hearing it's starting to really pick up.

Sonny Perdue

00:51:24 - 00:51:34 (10 sec)

The farmers are resilient, Mr. President. They embody the American values and sprit of entrepreneurship, risk-taking, hard work, and those American values.

Sonny Perdue

00:51:34 - 00:51:55 (21 sec)

And we've talked about before, you call them patriots, and they are. Obviously, there are some price constraints right now, but they believe what you're doing in China -- as you've tried to indicate to them -- will lead to a better and brighter future when we get these trade relationships reestablished. And we believe that will be soon.

Sonny Perdue

00:51:55 - 00:52:17 (22 sec)

I applaud what Ambassador Lighthizer is doing, the conversations that we're having on various fronts. And we think you got the attention and leverage of the international community regarding the abuse that American farmers have taken in many places, both tariffs and non-tariff measures, in the EU and in China, and many other places. And we think these will be rectified very soon.

Donald Trump

00:52:17 - 00:52:34 (17 sec)

Well, the word "abuse" is a good word because this country was abused by other countries, both friend and foe. You know, our allies, frankly, did better than many of our enemies when it came to trade. It was -- terrible thing happened for many years. And we're changing that around.

Donald Trump

00:52:34 - 00:53:03 (29 sec)

In fact, what I will do is I will speak to one more because I'd like to have Bob Lighthizer just give us a little update, quickly, on where we are with NAFTA and the various trade deals. I can say this: We're doing very well. I'm in no rush. We want to make the right deal. NAFTA has been a disaster for our country. Mexico and Canada were -- if you think about making, or if you think about deficits -- we had a deficit of $135 billion a year on NAFTA.

Donald Trump

00:53:03 - 00:53:13 (10 sec)

You look at New England; you look at different places where factories are still empty, they still haven't recovered. But no companies are moving back.

Donald Trump

00:53:13 - 00:53:20 (6 sec)

So we're going either going to do a good NAFTA -- a fair NAFTA for us -- or we're not doing NAFTA at all. Where are we, Bob?

Robert Lighthizer

00:53:20 - 00:53:33 (14 sec)

Well, I would say, first of all, Mr. President, I would just underline what you say, and that is that we have an $800 billion trade deficit -- something that's not sustainable over a long period of time. And I appreciate the opportunity to go out and negotiate these deals one at a time.

Robert Lighthizer

00:53:33 - 00:53:47 (14 sec)

In terms of NAFTA, right now we're meeting with the Mexicans, literally, as we sit here. And I'm hopeful that in the next several days we'll have a breakthrough. There's still some difficult issues to work on. Those are always hard at the end. I know you --

Donald Trump

00:53:47 - 00:54:02 (15 sec)

And, by the way, Bob, if we don't, that's okay. That's okay. If you don't have breakthrough, as you call it, don't do the deal -- because it's a lousy situation for the United States. We have much better alternatives than that. You understand.

Robert Lighthizer

00:54:02 - 00:54:02 (0 sec)

Donald Trump

00:54:02 - 00:54:04 (2 sec)

So if you can't make the right deal, don't make it. All right?

Robert Lighthizer

00:54:04 - 00:54:05 (1 sec)

Donald Trump

00:54:05 - 00:54:08 (2 sec)

I only tell him that every day.

Robert Lighthizer

00:54:08 - 00:54:13 (5 sec)

It is -- yes, sir. I'll attest -- [Laughter] -- I'll attest to the fact that he tells me that every day.

Donald Trump

00:54:13 - 00:54:13 (0 sec)

[Inaudible, Laughter]

Robert Lighthizer

00:54:13 - 00:54:23 (10 sec)

He also tells me what the alternatives are. So -- but I think in this particular case, the best alternative may be to get a good agreement.

Donald Trump

00:54:23 - 00:54:23 (0 sec)

Robert Lighthizer

00:54:23 - 00:54:31 (8 sec)

And I think there's a possibility of that. I'm hopeful with Mexico. And then I hope once we get one with Mexico, that Canada will come along.

Robert Lighthizer

00:54:31 - 00:55:06 (35 sec)

So I feel reasonably good about that. But as you say, there are still some things that I have to go through. We have made headway on a number of other areas. We've had, as I've told you, some 15 or 20 other smallish agreements that have been helpful for agriculture and other areas. I call them "hitting singles." Every time you're at bat, it's not a home run. We're hitting single after single, and literally every few weeks we have one and there are several. I won't go through them, but there are several that are in play that will make a real difference to specific people and sectors in agriculture but in other areas.

Robert Lighthizer

00:55:06 - 00:55:31 (25 sec)

Korea, as you know, that agreement is finished. I think that's a step in the right direction. And then we have Europe, where you started an initiative that Larry Kudlow and I are working on. And that is where -- I mean, that's a major initiative and it's something that we're in the process of putting together the kind of team we need to negotiate on tariffs, but on barriers, and hopefully open up a lot of new opportunities for American products to be sold in Europe.

Donald Trump

00:55:31 - 00:55:44 (13 sec)

And I think I can say that we're talking to China. They very much want to talk. They are just not able to give us a deal that's acceptable. So we're not going to do any deal until we get one that's fair to our country.

Donald Trump

00:55:44 - 00:56:07 (23 sec)

EU, we're doing very well. They didn't want us to put tariffs on their cars, and they therefore decided that -- they were extremely happy with the deal they had. In fact, they told me, "Oh, we'd rather not negotiate. We're very, very happy with the deal we have." Well, they made $151 billion last year; they should be happy. But I said, "But I'm not happy."

Donald Trump

00:56:07 - 00:56:29 (22 sec)

And so we were ready to do tariffs on their cars but they came -- they saw us a week ago, as you know; most of you were here. And I think we're doing well, Bob, with respect to the EU. We're negotiating something that hopefully will be fair to them and to us, and to everybody. A big difference from what it is now. Right now, it's impossible. They have barriers where we can't get anything through.

Donald Trump

00:56:29 - 00:56:52 (23 sec)

As far as Mexico and Canada -- Mexico, Bob told you about -- we're not negotiating with Canada right now. Their tariffs are too high. Their barriers are too strong. So we're not even talking to them right now. But we'll see how that works out. It will only work out to our favor. Thank you very much everybody. Thank you. Thank you.