The President: 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 has ever made bad trade deals like
our country has made.
I saw the shuttered factories and spent time
with the laid-off factory workers.
I heard their stories, and I promised action and I
promised them a solution.
And all over America, you're already seeing
solutions start to take place.
Take a look at what's going on Michigan, with
Ford and General Motors and Fiat-Chrysler,
and so many more.
The jobs and wealth have been stripped
from our country.
Year after year, decade after decade, trade
deficit upon trade deficit -- reaching more than $700
billion last year alone, and lots of jobs.
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.
Today, I am signing two 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.
The survey actually showed 93 percent of
manufacturers are now optimistic about the
future -- a record high -- and that's up from about
56 percent just a couple of months ago.
We're going to build on that tremendous momentum.
We're bringing manufacturing and jobs
back to our country.
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 they'll be very
severe consequences.
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.
This review will be led by Secretary Wilbur Ross, who
is joining us here today.
Wilbur is an 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.
You're going to do a fantastic job.
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 am 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.
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 has 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.
I work for the American people.
Whether you're a Democrat, a Republican, or belong to
no party at all, you are an American and I'm here
to represent you and your family.
We're going to get this thing straightened out.
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, it 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.
The wellbeing 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, the Southern
White House, we're having the President of China and
a large group from China as representatives.
And we're going to get down to some very
serious business.
So we look forward to it.
I've spoken to him 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.
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.
I'd like to ask Wilbur to say a few words, and then,
Peter, you could say a few words.
And we're all set.
Our Vice President -- I think I'm speaking for
both, but I'm not 100 percent sure.
I will tell you one thing -- he has one hell of a
good marriage going.
(Laughter.)
Come on, Wilbur.
Secretary Ross: 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.
The President: Thank you.
Peter.
Mr. Navarro: 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 strategist of this.
And we're going to get it done for the American
people, workers, and domestic manufacturers.
Thank you.
The President: Mr. Vice President.
The Vice President: 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, and 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 put
American first when it comes to trade; we put
American jobs and American workers first.
The President: 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.