Transcript - Remarks: Donald Trump Greets Andrzej Duda of Poland in the Oval Office - September 18, 2018 | Factba.se

Donald Trump

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

Well, thank you very much. It's a great honor to have President and Mrs. Duda of Poland in the Oval Office and the White House.

Donald Trump

00:00:09 - 00:00:20 (11 sec)

We've had a great relationship. As you know, about a year ago, I went and we made a speech in Poland, and it was really a very special day. It was a great day for our countries.

Donald Trump

00:00:20 - 00:00:41 (21 sec)

And I'll never forget the reception we got -- how beautiful it was, how tremendous the people of Poland are. And I will certainly never forget the crowds. They stretched 10 blocks long, down the roadways, and they were all over. We had just tremendous crowds, because I think that's really a sign of affection for the United States by the people of Poland.

Donald Trump

00:00:41 - 00:00:54 (13 sec)

So the relationship between the President and myself has been outstanding, and it's really, I think, gotten even better between our countries. And I just want to say that, on behalf of the United States, it's an honor to have you both.

Donald Trump

00:00:54 - 00:00:56 (3 sec)

Thank you very much. Thank you.

Andrzej Duda

00:00:56 - 00:01:21 (25 sec)

Thank you very much, Excellency. We are very happy to be here. And thank you for your kind invitation, and especially thank you for your great, unforgettable speech in Warsaw that was very moving for the Polish people. And you talked about the Warsaw Uprising and all of these very important moment in our history.

Andrzej Duda

00:01:21 - 00:01:25 (4 sec)

So thank you very much, once again, because it was -- it was wonderful.

Donald Trump

00:01:25 - 00:01:50 (26 sec)

Well, we have a tremendous relationship on trade. We're doing a lot of trade, a lot of security, obviously. We talk about the pipeline going to Germany, where Germany is paying billions and billions of dollars to Russia, which, frankly, we don’t think that's appropriate. I never thought it was appropriate. I think it's ridiculous. And I think it's certainly a very bad thing for the people of Germany. I've said it very loud and clear.

Donald Trump

00:01:50 - 00:01:59 (8 sec)

But we discuss that, and we'll be discussing various other things. But trade is going to be a big factor today, and security.

Donald Trump

00:01:59 - 00:02:02 (4 sec)

So I want to thank you all for being here. Thank you. Thank you.

Question

00:02:02 - 00:02:05 (3 sec)

Mr. President, will you say yes to a U.S. permanent base in Poland?

Donald Trump

00:02:05 - 00:02:25 (20 sec)

Well, I think we're going to be discussing that. Poland is willing to make a very major contribution for the United States to come in and have a presence in Poland, and certainly it's something we'll discuss. If they're willing to do that, it's something we will certainly talk about.

Question

00:02:25 - 00:02:29 (4 sec)

Are you convinced that there should be a permanent base in Poland?

Donald Trump

00:02:29 - 00:02:36 (7 sec)

Well, we're looking at it very seriously. I know Poland likes the idea very much. And it's something that we are considering, yes.

Question

00:02:36 - 00:02:43 (7 sec)

Mr. President, on China, are you still considering the $267 billion in tariffs -- the additional $267 billion?

Donald Trump

00:02:43 - 00:02:58 (14 sec)

So we're having a tremendous impact on China. As you know, we're doing a very good job with China. China has been taking advantage of the United States for a long time, and that's not happening anymore. We can't let that happen.

Donald Trump

00:02:58 - 00:03:21 (23 sec)

I have a great relationship with President Xi; he's a friend of mine. But we can't -- you know, I've been telling him, we can't let it happen. So we may make a deal at some point, but right now, we just imposed $200 billion at 25 percent. We -- it just went on. It actually kicks in on January 1st at 25 percent. It starts off at 10 percent, but shortly thereafter, it goes to 25.

Donald Trump

00:03:21 - 00:03:39 (18 sec)

And if there's a retaliation against our farmers and our industrial workers, our ranchers, if any of that goes on, we're going to kick in another $257 billion. And that will be also at 25 percent. We don’t want to do it, but we probably -- we'll have no choice.

Donald Trump

00:03:39 - 00:04:07 (28 sec)

So we'll see what happens. But we're making a lot of headway with China. China wants to come over and talk, and we are always open to talking. But we have to do something. We have a tremendous trade imbalance with China, tremendous trade deficit. And the way I look at it: Last year, we lost over $500 billion to China. We can't do that. I don’t want to do that. And that's been going on for many years. Other Presidents should have taken care of this situation, and they didn’t. But I'm going to.

Donald Trump

00:04:07 - 00:04:07 (0 sec)

Question

00:04:07 - 00:04:12 (5 sec)

Sanctions on companies involved in Nord Stream II -- Russia and Germany -- project?

Donald Trump

00:04:12 - 00:04:28 (16 sec)

We're not looking to do that. We just think it's very unfortunate for the people of Germany that Germany is paying billions and billions of dollars a year for their energy to Russia. And I can tell you the German people don’t like it.

Question

00:04:28 - 00:04:32 (4 sec)

What about the visa -- the waiver program for Poland?

Donald Trump

00:04:32 - 00:04:33 (1 sec)

We're looking at that very strongly.

Question

00:04:33 - 00:04:39 (6 sec)

Mr. President, you have 10 million Polish Americans in the United States. You were in Chicago --

Donald Trump

00:04:39 - 00:04:40 (2 sec)

Say it? I can't hear you.

Question

00:04:40 - 00:04:42 (2 sec)

There are about 10 million Polish Americans in the United States --

Presiden Trump

00:04:42 - 00:04:42 (0 sec)

Question

00:04:42 - 00:04:48 (5 sec)

You were in Chicago two years ago -- a great meeting. So when are you returning to Chicago? And will you --

Donald Trump

00:04:48 - 00:04:51 (3 sec)

Did you say it was cut off? It was cut off?

Question

00:04:51 - 00:04:51 (0 sec)

Donald Trump

00:04:51 - 00:04:57 (6 sec)

What is he referring to, Mr. President?

Andrzej Duda

00:04:57 - 00:04:59 (2 sec)

The visa waiver program, I think.

Donald Trump

00:04:59 - 00:05:06 (8 sec)

We love the people of Poland coming to the United States in any way, shape, or form. Okay? Does that answer your question?

Question

00:05:06 - 00:05:07 (0 sec)

Yes -- [inaudible].

Donald Trump

00:05:07 - 00:05:09 (2 sec)

Any way, shape, or form. It's our honor.

Question

00:05:09 - 00:05:20 (11 sec)

Mr. President, how long of a delay is acceptable, sir, on the hearings for Judge Kavanaugh? There's some discussion that the accuser may not be coming in on Monday? How long of a delay --

Donald Trump

00:05:20 - 00:05:51 (31 sec)

I mean, I think it's a great question, frankly. We are looking to get this done as quickly as possible. He is a truly outstanding person, as you know. He’s got an unblemished record. This is a terrible thing that took place, and it's, frankly, a terrible thing that this information wasn’t given to us a long time ago, months ago, when they got it. They could have done that, instead of waiting until everything was finished, and then all of a sudden spring it. But that's what the Democrats do. That's what they do. It's obstruction, it's resist. It's whatever you have to do.

Donald Trump

00:05:51 - 00:06:05 (14 sec)

With all of that being said, it's a process. And we all feel -- speaking for all of the Republicans, we feel that we want to go through this process and we want to give everybody a chance to say what they have to say.

Donald Trump

00:06:05 - 00:06:21 (17 sec)

So we have time available. We will delay the process until it's finished out. I guess we’ve invited everybody. I know -- I can tell you this -- that Judge Kavanaugh is anxious to do it. I don’t know about the other party, but Judge Kavanaugh is very anxious to do it.

Donald Trump

00:06:21 - 00:06:53 (32 sec)

And a delay is certainly acceptable. We want to get to the bottom of everything. We want everybody to be able to speak up and speak out. The fact is, though, this should have been done a long time ago. And when Senator Feinstein had Judge Kavanaugh in her office for a long time, she never even mentioned this. And that was a long time ago. Never even mentioned it. So why wouldn’t you bring this up, when he is sitting in her office for a pretty extended period of time?

Donald Trump

00:06:53 - 00:07:06 (12 sec)

So, it's unfortunate. He is an incredible man. He's an incredible intellect. He will make an incredible Supreme Court justice. But we feel that we want to go through a process. We want to hear both sides.

Question

00:07:06 - 00:07:10 (5 sec)

Will you ask the FBI to open his file?

Donald Trump

00:07:10 - 00:07:28 (17 sec)

I don’t think the FBI really should be involved because they don’t want to be involved. If they wanted to be, I would certainly do that. But as you know, they say this is not really their thing. But I think, politically speaking, the senators will do a very good job. They really will. They're going to open it up, and they will do a very good job.

Question

00:07:28 - 00:07:32 (5 sec)

The security of Poland -- how important is it to you, security of Poland?

Donald Trump

00:07:32 - 00:07:35 (2 sec)

Oh, very important. The security of Poland, to me?

Question

00:07:35 - 00:07:36 (1 sec)

Donald Trump

00:07:36 - 00:07:40 (4 sec)

Almost as important as it is to this man. I can't say "as," but "almost."

Andrzej Duda

00:07:40 - 00:07:44 (5 sec)

For me it's the most important, and I hope that we will build Fort Trump in Poland together, Mr. President.

Donald Trump

00:07:44 - 00:07:52 (8 sec)

That's right. You know what? It's very important to me. Extremely important. They're very special people. It's a very special country. It's a very brave country.

Donald Trump

00:07:52 - 00:08:09 (17 sec)

I think one of my best moments was making that speech in Poland. People liked me, and I like them. They're very, very exceptional people. The security of Poland is very important to me, and it's very important to our country.

Question

00:08:09 - 00:08:12 (3 sec)

Mr. President, are you willing to declassify other items regarding the Russia investigation?

Donald Trump

00:08:12 - 00:08:30 (18 sec)

Well, we're going to see. We want transparency. What I want is I want total transparency. This is a witch hunt. Republicans are seeing it. The Democrats know it's a witch hunt, too, but they don’t want to admit it because that's not good politics for them. But it's a terrible witch hunt, and it's hurt our country.

Donald Trump

00:08:30 - 00:08:52 (21 sec)

And the things that have been found over the last couple of weeks about text messages back and forth are a disgrace to our nation. And I want transparency, and so does everybody else. As you know, congressional committees came to me and they wanted this. And I did it based on their request. But I think it's a good thing, because we should open it up for people to see.

Donald Trump

00:08:52 - 00:08:56 (4 sec)

Thank you very much, everybody. Thank you.

Question

00:08:56 - 00:08:58 (2 sec)

Have you talked to Judge Kavanaugh?

Donald Trump

00:08:58 - 00:08:59 (1 sec)

No, I haven’t.

Question

00:08:59 - 00:09:04 (6 sec)

Donald Trump

00:09:04 - 00:09:27 (22 sec)

Specifically, I haven’t wanted to. I think it's something that he will do very well. I think, specifically, I haven’t wanted to speak to Judge Kavanaugh because I knew somebody would ask me the same question that you asked me: "Have you spoken to Judge Kavanaugh?" So, specifically, I thought it would be a good thing not to. He can handle himself better than anybody. He’s a very outstanding man. Thank you.

Question

00:09:27 - 00:09:29 (2 sec)

So you still support him. He knows you support him though.

Donald Trump

00:09:29 - 00:09:43 (15 sec)

Oh, I’m totally supportive. Yes, I’m very supportive. He's a -- I would say few people that I’ve ever seen, that I've ever known -- and I know people of great success -- have been so outstanding as Judge Kavanaugh.

Question

00:09:43 - 00:09:45 (2 sec)

Is this all politics?

Donald Trump

00:09:45 - 00:09:49 (4 sec)

I don’t want to say that. Maybe I'll say that in a couple of days, but not now.

Donald Trump

00:09:49 - 00:09:50 (2 sec)

Thank you very much, everybody.

Question

00:09:50 - 00:10:01 (10 sec)

Aren't you afraid of hostile Russia reaction to this close friendship with Poland? Sir, aren’t you afraid of hostile Russia reaction to the close friendship with Poland?

Donald Trump

00:10:01 - 00:10:06 (5 sec)

I love our friendship with Poland. I love our friendship with Poland.