Transcript - Remarks: Donald Trump Signs Executive Orders on Trade - March 31, 2017 | Factba.se

Donald Trump

00:00:00 - 00:00:21 (21 sec)

Thank you. During the campaign, I traveled the nation, and visited the cities and towns devastated by unfair trade policies -- probably one of the major reasons I'm here today -- trade. Nobody's ever made bad trade deals like our country has made.

Donald Trump

00:00:21 - 00:00:45 (24 sec)

I saw the shuttered factories and spent time with the laid-off factory workers. I heard their stories and I promised them action and I promised them a solution. And all over America are already seeing that solutions start to take place. Take a look at what's going on in Michigan, with Ford and General Motors and Fiat Chrysler and so many more.

Donald Trump

00:00:45 - 00:01:00 (15 sec)

The jobs and wealth have been stripped from our country. Year after year, decade after decade, trade deficit upon trade deficit, reaching more than seven hundred billion dollars last year alone, and lots of jobs.

Donald Trump

00:01:00 - 00:01:24 (24 sec)

Thousands of factories have been stolen from our country. But these voiceless Americans now have a voice in the white house. Under my administration, the theft of American prosperity will end. We're going to defend our industry and create a level playing field for the American worker, finally.

Donald Trump

00:01:24 - 00:01:45 (21 sec)

Today, I am signing to executive orders that send this message loud and clear, and that set the stage for a great revival of American manufacturing. And you saw that today. You saw what happened. You saw the kind of numbers we have.

Donald Trump

00:01:45 - 00:02:06 (21 sec)

The survey actually showed 93% of manufacturers are now optimistic about the future, a record high. And that's up from about 56% just a couple of months ago. We're going to build on that tremendous momentum, and we're bringing in manufacturing and jobs back to our country.

Donald Trump

00:02:06 - 00:02:25 (19 sec)

First, I'm signing an executive order to ensure that we fully collect all duties imposed on foreign importers that cheat -- they're cheaters -- from now on those who break the rules, will face the consequences, and there'll be very severe consequences.

Donald Trump

00:02:25 - 00:02:43 (18 sec)

Second, I am ordering the first-ever comprehensive review of America's trade deficits and all violations of trade rules that harm the United States and the workers of the United States, just as I promised during my campaign.

Donald Trump

00:02:43 - 00:03:17 (34 sec)

This review will be led by Secretary Wilbur Ross, who is joining us here today. Wilbur is a outstanding success story, an unbelievable businessman, a great but very very fair negotiator, and on Wall Street he's simply known as Wilbur, and everybody knows him. And now we have him on our side, so I thank you Wilbur, it's really -- your going to do a fantastic job.

Donald Trump

00:03:17 - 00:03:40 (23 sec)

We're going to investigate all trade abuses, and based on those findings we will take necessary and lawful action to end those many abuses. I'm not beholden to any political or financial interest. I don't care. I'm here to do a job. I'm doing a job for the American worker. I really don't care.

Donald Trump

00:03:40 - 00:04:03 (23 sec)

I'm not thinking about my business or anybody's business. Wilbur isn't. Peter isn't. None of the folks that we have up here are. We're doing a job. It's an opportunity like nobody's ever given, and we're here to do a great job for the American worker, and for our companies, where the American workers are employed.

Donald Trump

00:04:03 - 00:04:17 (14 sec)

I work for the American people. Whether you're a Democrat or Republican or belong to no party at all, you are an American, and I'm here to represent you and your family. We're gonna get this thing straightened out.

Donald Trump

00:04:17 - 00:04:45 (28 sec)

We're going to get these bad trade deals straightened out, right Peter? It's time, you've been looking at it for years, right Wilbur? This combination over here, can't be beaten. That's why I defied the special interests and followed through on my pledge to withdraw immediately from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and that's why I am taking these very historic steps today.

Donald Trump

00:04:45 - 00:05:18 (33 sec)

The well-being of America and the American worker is my North Star. And these two orders will point out our nation and point to everybody, point to the world -- next week as you know, in Florida at the southern White House, we're having the President of China, and a large group from China's representatives, and we're going to get down to some very serious business, and we look forward to it.

Donald Trump

00:05:18 - 00:05:31 (13 sec)

I've spoken to them numerous times on the phone. We look very much forward to it. But it's been very bad what's been happening to our country, in terms of our companies and in terms of our jobs.

Donald Trump

00:05:31 - 00:05:50 (19 sec)

So we're going to start turning it around. We're going to turn it around fast. It's not going to take a long time, it's going to go fast. So I just want to end by saying that we have a team that's second to none, and when everybody is assembled and fully in gear, after these two orders, I think it's going to be something very special.

Donald Trump

00:05:50 - 00:06:09 (19 sec)

I'd like to ask Wilbur to say a few words, and then Peter, you'd say a few words and we're all set. Our Vice President, I think I'm speaking for both, but I'm not a hundred percent sure. I will tell you one thing, he has one hell of a good marriage going. Come on Wilbur.

Wilbur Ross

00:06:09 - 00:06:40 (31 sec)

Thank You mr. President. If anyone had any doubt about the President's resolve to fix the trade problems, these two executive orders should end that speculation now and for all time. This marks the beginning of a totally new chapter in the American trade relationship with our partners overseas. Thank you very much, thank you. Peter.

Peter Navarro

00:06:40 - 00:07:10 (30 sec)

I remember well during the campaign the day the President made the speech outside of Pittsburgh and laid down a set of promises to the American people on trade, and today this is the beginning of the fulfillment of those promises, in a grand way with Wilbur Ross at the helm, and the President being the grand strategists of this. And we're going to get it done for the American people, workers, domestic manufacturers, thank you.

Mike Pence

00:07:10 - 00:07:46 (36 sec)

This is a great day for the American worker, and a great day for the American economy. Once again, President Trump is keeping his word. As we look for ways to expand exports from this country, imports to this country, this President is determined that we're going to have free trade, but it's going to be fair trade. In arms length negotiations with nations, holding them accountable to the promises that they make, and the review the President is initiating today, and the work of members of this team on the President's behalf, will ensure that we we put America first when it comes to trade. We put American jobs and American workers first.

Donald Trump

00:07:46 - 00:07:55 (9 sec)

Thank you Mike. Thank you everybody. You're going to see some very very strong results very very quickly. Thank you very much. Thank you.