Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, Members of Congress, and Members of the Cabinet in Meeting on Trade | Eastern North Carolina Now

    And I applaud you for looking at 232, and looking at a reasonable approach to make sure that we're open for business in all industries, not just one.

    THE PRESIDENT: Well we all have to remember that there is no tax or there is no tariff, if they come in and build plants in this country. So there is no - we're just talking about something, but there is nothing.

    Steel is a little bit different than a car. It's a little bit different than a washing machine or any of the other things that we're doing or talking about doing. But nevertheless, you build your factory, you build your plant in the United States, there is no tax. So that's a big difference. That's why I think you're going to see General Motors - they're coming back. A lot of companies are coming back, and they're coming back to areas that you represent. It's a good feeling. That's a really good feeling.

    Maybe I'll just have Bob finish up. Do you want to do that? Roy, were you going to say something real fast?

    SENATOR BLUNT: I was just going to say, like the AK Steel, we need to be very careful here. There is only one American producer, but there are lots of American buyers. Those electric motors in the washing machine, the generators, the grid - all of that is dependent, currently, on a lot of electric steel coming from somewhere else.

    I think the balance of keeping that company in business -

    THE PRESIDENT: It's a good balance.

    SENATOR BLUNT: - while you keep all these other companies - it's going to take a long time to either expand or have more competitors here. So we need to be very thoughtful about all the other buyers of that product that has only one American source. So it is a great example, but it's a great example to remember that washing machine motor, as well as all the other things that electric steel is used for, sir.

    THE PRESIDENT: That's a good point. The word "balance" is a very important word.

    SENATOR BROWN: Can I add one other point -

    THE PRESIDENT: Yes, go ahead.

    SENATOR BROWN: - taking off on what Roy said. As you apply - as you and Secretary Ross apply 232 - and I understand the cautionary notes from some of my colleagues - I think it's important that we always keep in mind China's excess capacity. And China's excess capacity doesn't mean you aim 232 just at China. Because China's excess capacity, as you point out, is spread elsewhere. And the best example was your comment on oil country, tubular steel through Korea. As Rob said, Korea doesn't drill itself. It's just the pass-through point.

    But because China's excess capacity has, in some ways, affected steel production - or steel sales, not production - throughout the world, it's important that 232 be aimed at China's excess capacity and countries all over the world.

    THE PRESIDENT: Right. I agree with that. Maybe you could just - a very brief discussion of where you are with NAFTA. Because this is the group that is very interested in NAFTA.

    AMBASSADOR LIGHTHIZER: Well, I've spoken to some of these members here. And, Mr. President, I think we're making progress on NAFTA. There was a lot of anxiety at one point as to whether or not we'd be in a position where would have to withdraw in order to get a good agreement.

    Our view is, number one, that NAFTA has not served the United States well in all respects. It has served some people very well, but other people and overall it has not done a good job. I think we're making real headway. I feel like, particularly with respect to the Mexicans, that we are making headway. We have a number of issues that we still have to work our way through, but I'm hopeful that we'll be in the positon - I think that most important - to get a good deal, one that you'll find acceptable.

    But most importantly, I want it to be an agreement that the vast majority of Republicans and Democrats support. I think this is very important that we have a new paradigm in steel, that we get 20 or 25 Democrats in the Senate and a large number of them in the House to vote for this deal, as well. Of course (inaudible) and I think that's very much in reach; it's something that we can do.

    THE PRESIDENT: Well, I want to thank everybody very much. I really would like to see you come back with a counterproposal on the infrastructure. I think we're going to get that done. I really believe that's - we're going to get a lot of Democrats; we're going to get a lot of Republicans. We're going to get it done. It's something we should do. We have to fix our country. We have to fix our roads and our tunnels and bridges and everything.

    So, if you can, work together on that. And I am ready, willing, and able. It's very important.

    And then, of course, this week I know you're working very hard on DACA. Everybody in the room wants DACA. And let's see if we can get that done, and it would be a great achievement. They've been talking about it for many years, and, if we could do it, it would be a great achievement. And it would be something - on a humane-basis, would be excellent.

    So I want to thank you all for being here. If you have any suggestions, call me, call Gary, call Wilbur, call Bob. But I very much appreciate you being here. And if it's necessary, we'll have another meeting to iron out some points.

    But on infrastructure, that is such a natural for us to get done, and I think we can probably do it.

    Thank you all very much. Thank you.


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