Remarks by President Trump at a Signing Ceremony for the United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

White House South Lawn  •  Washington D.C.  •  January 29  •  11:11 A.M. EST
    THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you very much. That's beautiful music. Such talented musicians, and we appreciate it very much.

    We have a tremendous - (applause) - we have a tremendous list of people here today. In fact, so long that if I announced every name, we'd be here for about three hours. (Laughter.) And we have to get back to business. Everybody does.

    Please sit down. Please.

    But I want to thank everybody for coming - coming to the White House on this very momentous, historic, and joyous occasion. It's been a long time. Everybody said this was a deal that could not be done. "Too complicated, too big. It couldn't be done." We got it done.

    And today, we're finally ending the NAFTA nightmare and signing into law the brand-new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. (Applause.) Very special. Very, very special.

    The USMCA is the largest, fairest, most balanced, and modern trade agreement ever achieved. There's never been anything like it. Other countries are now looking at it, but there can't be a border like that because, believe it or not, that is by far the biggest border anywhere in the world, in terms of economy, in terms of people. There's nothing even close.

    This is a colossal victory for our farmers, ranchers, energy workers, factory workers, and American workers in all 50 states and, you could almost say, beyond - because it's all beyond. This is all over the world even though it's at one beautiful border - where, by the way, a very major powerful wall is, right now, being built. (Laughter.) Okay? I don't know if I should say that at this particular reading. I know last night it got a very big hand. (Laughter.) Today, they're a little bit like, "Are we supposed to clap now?" (Laughter.)

    The USMCA is estimated to add another 1.2 percent to our GDP and create countless new American jobs. It will make our blue-collar boom - which is beyond anybody's expectation - even bigger, stronger, and more extraordinary, delivering massive gains for the loyal citizens of our nation.

    For the first time in American history, we have replaced a disastrous trade deal that rewarded outsourcing with a truly fair and reciprocal trade deal that will keep jobs, wealth, and growth right here in America. (Applause.) And, in a true sense, it's also a partnership with Mexico and Canada and ourselves against the world. It's really a trade partnership, if you look at it that way. And it's a day of great celebration in all three countries.

    I want to thank our amazing Vice President, Mike Pence, who helped us so much with the deal. (Applause.)


    And our sincerest appreciation to Ambassador Robert Lighthizer and Jared Kushner and Steve Mnuchin - (applause) - and all of these incredible people for the job you've done. (Applause.) Like I said, they said it couldn't be done.

    Welcome also to many members of Congress who were key to getting the deal done, including Senator Grassley. Where is Chuck? Where is Chuck? Oh. Oh, he was brutal. (Applause.) He would call me; he would say, "How is it going? How is it going?" And with Chuck, you just don't mess around. You said, "We'll get it done. Don't worry." Thank you, Senator, very much.

    And Pat Roberts, Martha McSally.

    And I want to just, if I could, mention - because we do have some incredible people that worked so hard, and - senators. And maybe I'm being just nice to them because I want their vote. Does that make sense? (Laughter.) I don't want to leave anybody out. Hey, congressmen, I already got your vote - 196 to nothing. The hell with you. (Laughter.) I think I have to mention some senators that are here.

    But Marsha Blackburn, who's been so - where's Marsha Blackburn? Marsha, great. Marsha Blackburn. (Applause.) Great state of Tennessee.

    Roy Blunt. Thank you, Roy. Thank you, Roy.

    John Boozman. Thank you, John. Thank you very much. Great job.

    Mike Braun. He's become a big fixture on television and doing a great job.

    Shelley Moore Capito. Thank you. West Virginia. (Applause.) Great place.

    Senator Bill Cassidy. Senator, thank you very much. (Applause.)

    John Cornyn. Thank you, John. (Applause.) Your poll numbers are looking good, John. (Laughter.) Very, very good. You don't have to worry about Beto either, do you, John? (Laughter.)

    A great young gentleman, and he's been with us right from the beginning: Senator Tom Cotton. Where is Tom? (Applause.) Thank you, Tom. Thank you, Tom.

    Kevin Cramer. (Applause.) Thank you, Kevin.

    Ted Cruz. Boy, has he been - where is Ted? Boy, oh, boy. (Applause.) And he's dying to get back there and ask those questions. I know. (Laughter.) He said, "Let me out of here, President. I want to ask those questions." He's got some beauties, I'll bet. Thank you, Ted, for everything. You've been incredible.

    Steve Daines. My friend from the beginning. Thank you, Steve. (Applause.)

    Joni Ernst. Joni Ernst. That was a team - the tag team, with Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst. It was impossible. I just say, "Just tell them I'm not in, please." (Laughter.)

    Senator Deb Fischer. Terrific person. (Applause.) Terrific person.

    Lindsey Graham. Where is Lindsey? He may be having a news conference right now. He's working on something. He said, "I'm going over to a news conference!" I said, "You know what? I'd rather have you at the news conference. Don't worry, we'll take care of it."


    A young, brilliant guy who's done incredibly well and respected by everybody: Senator Josh Hawley. Josh, tremendous. (Applause.) I think he's another one. He doesn't want to come over here right now.

    Where's John Hoeven? John? You have been so great. Thank you, John.

    (Applause.) John Hoeven.

    Senator James Lankford. (Applause.) He is a terrific person. We're just together on a very special day. Right, James?

    Kelly Loeffler. Kelly? Congratulations, Kelly. (Applause.) Really great. They already like you a lot. That's what the word is. Thank you, Kelly.

    Martha McSally. (Applause.) Good, Martha. Great.

    Jerry Moran. Jerry? Thank you, Jerry. (Applause.) Did a great job in a lot of different ways.

    And another one is James Risch. James? Fantastic job you do. (Applause.)

    And Mike Rounds. Where is Mike? Mike, thank you. (Applause.) He's always there - Mike. He's fantastic.

    Tim Scott. Mr. Opportunity Zone. And I think he's over there fighting. He's saying, "Just read the transcripts." That's what he's saying. He's great.

    Thom Tillis, who's doing pretty well, is what I'm understanding. Thom Tillis. (Applause.) Where is Thom? Yep.

    And Roger Wicker. By the way, is there anybody - thank you, Roger. Roger.

    ...

    Read the full transcript HERE.


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