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President Trump: Well,
thank you very much, everybody.
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It's an honor to be with
the President of Romania,
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who's highly respected
and done a great job.
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And I hear there's a
little political season
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going on in Romania, but I
would imagine you're going
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to do very well because
you're very talented,
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you love the people.
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And we've had a great
relationship with Romania.
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The United States and
Romania have gotten along
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better than ever before.
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So, I want to
thank you for that.
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And we have a big trade
business going on,
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to be honest with you.
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We have - we do a lot of
trade with Romania,
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and they're very
talented people.
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We buy, they buy.
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And you have a lot of
Romanian people
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in the United States,
very importantly.
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And they're
tremendous people.
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They work very hard.
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Very, very successful.
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How many do you have
in the United States?
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Do you know?
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Has anyone
figured that out?
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President Iohannis: We
have quite a lot of
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Romanians in the
States, yeah.
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President Trump: I think
I know most of them, actually.
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President Iohannis:
(Laughs.) Very good people.
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President Trump:
Yeah, they are.
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They're a great people.
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President Iohannis: Maybe
quarter of a million or so.
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President Trump: Yeah.
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It's a lot.
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It's a very large
population.
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But they - and they
love Romania, too,
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I will tell you that.
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They never forgot Romania.
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They're very much inclined
that way, and that's
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a good thing.
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Well, I want to thank
you, Mr. President,
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for being here.
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It's a great honor.
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Thank you very much.
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PRESIDENT IOHANNIS:
Thank you so much,
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Mr. President.
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Great pleasure to be here.
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President Trump: Would you
like to say something?
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President Iohannis: Yeah,
I would, just on the line
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that it's great to be
back here with you,
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Mr. President.
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And now we have the
opportunity to talk about
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our very good
strategic partnership.
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And under your strong
leadership, we progressed
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and we will
continue doing so.
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This is very important for
us, and I think we are
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on the right path, and I
thank you for that.
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President Trump: I think
we are on the right path.
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A lot of interesting
things happening also
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in your country, but we
appreciate the trade.
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And we're going to have a
big meeting in a little
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while after this.
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We're going to have a
private meeting, and we're
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going to have a meeting in
the Cabinet Room with a
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lot of your officials.
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President Iohannis: Yeah.
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President Trump: And we
look forward to that.
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Yes, any questions?
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John?
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The Press: Mr. President,
what sort of contingency
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steps or plans is the
White House thinking about
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to stave off any kind
of economic slowdown?
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We've heard that there's
been some talk of a
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payroll tax cut kicked
around, some other
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tax cuts.
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You've been talking about
a cut in the Fed rate,
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quantitative easing.
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What are you looking at?
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President Trump: Well, I'd
like to see a cut in the
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Fed rate because that
should've happened
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a long time ago.
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I think they're being very
tardy in not doing in and
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not having done it sooner.
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They raised too quickly.
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And, you know, I've been
quite vocal on that.
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They also did
quantitative tightening,
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which was ridiculous.
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And so - and despite that,
you know, if you look - I
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guess you could call it
"normalized" - but if you
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look, our economy is
doing fantastically.
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And if you take a
look at the previous
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administration, they
weren't paying interest.
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They had no
interest rates.
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They had loosening,
not tightening.
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And, frankly, it's
a big difference.
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And our economy
is incredible.
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Our jobs - you look
at the jobs market.
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But you have to be
proactive, and so we
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really need a Fed cut
rate, because if you look
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at what's going on with
the Europe - European
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Union, as an example,
they're cutting.
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You take a look at Germany
and what they're doing,
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and what they're paying -
I mean, they're actually
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doing something inverse.
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They've never seen -
nobody has ever seen
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it before.
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And we have to at least
keep up to an extent.
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So, right now, we're
paying a very much higher
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rate of interest, and we
didn't follow the world.
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And generally
speaking, that's okay.
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But you can't have that
much of a disparity.
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So we're looking
for a rate cut.
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We could be really greatly
helped if the Fed would
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do its job and do a
substantial rate cut also.
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They were doing
quantitative tightening;
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very bad to do.
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They should do easing
- actual easing.
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No tightening.
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Or at a minimum, they
should be doing nothing
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about that.
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But they have to
do a rate cut.
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The other thing is, you
know, we're looking at
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various tax reductions.
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But I'm looking at that
all the time anyway -
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tax reductions.
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That's one of the reasons
we're in such a strong
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economic position.
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We're, right now, the
number one country
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anywhere in the world,
by far, as an economy.
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Europe has got a lot of
problems, and Asia has
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got a lot of problems.
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If you look at China,
China has had the worst
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year they've
had in 27 years.
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And they want to make a
deal with us, but I can
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tell you I'm not
ready to make a deal.
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Unless they're going to
make the right kind of a
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deal, I'm not ready
to make a deal.
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So I don't know, but I
will say this: Something
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will happen.
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It may be soon; it may
be a little bit later.
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But China very much
wants to make a deal.
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The Press: What kind
of tax cuts would
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you look at?
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We've heard again a
potential cut in the
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payroll tax, indexing
capital gains.
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What would you accept?
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President Trump: Well,
you know, we've been
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talking about indexing
for a long time.
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And many people like
indexing, and it can
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be done very simply.
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It can be done
directly by me.
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And so we've been
looking at that.
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As you probably have
heard, I can do
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it directly.
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So we're talking
about indexing.
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And we're always looking
at the capital gains tax,
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payroll tax.
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We're looking at - I would
love to do something
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on capital gains.
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We're talking about that.
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That's a big deal; it
goes through Congress.
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Payroll tax is something
that we think about
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and a lot of people would
like to see that, and that
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very much affects the
working - the workers
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of our country.
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And we have a
lot of workers.
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Right now, by the way, we
have more people working
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today than we've ever had
before in the history
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of our country.
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We have almost 160 million
people working today.
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I think the word
"recession" is a word
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that's inappropriate
because it's just a word
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that the - certain people
- I'm going to be kind -
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certain people, and the
media, are trying to build
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up because they'd love
to see a recession.
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We're very far
from a recession.
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In fact, if the Fed would
do its job, I think it
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would have a tremendous
spurt of growth.
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A tremendous spurt.
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The Fed is psychologically
very important.
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Less so, actually, but very
psychologically important.
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And if the Fed would do
its job, which it's really
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done very poorly over the
last year and a half,
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you would see a burst of
growth like you've never
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seen before.
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And that would be lowering
interest rates and maybe
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putting some - if you look
at what China is doing,
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if you look at what Germany
is doing, if you look at
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what so many countries are
doing - putting some money
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in, because we want
to compete with these
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other countries.
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So I think that we
actually are set for a
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tremendous surge of
growth, if the Fed
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would do its job.
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That's a big
"if," frankly.
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But they should - the Fed
should - the Fed should
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be cutting.
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And I would say they
should say, at a minimum,
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100 basis points over
a period of time,
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not at one time.
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But over a period of time.
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The Press: Mr. President,
can the country afford tax
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cuts when we're
already running
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trillion-dollar deficits?
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President Trump: Well, I'm
not talking about - I'm
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not talking about doing
anything at this moment.
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But indexing is something
that a lot of people have
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liked for a long time.
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And it's something that
would be very easy to do.
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And a lot of people
have been talking about
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indexing for many years,
and it's something
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that I am certainly
thinking about.
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I can say that a majority
of the people in the White
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House, at the level that
does this kind of thing,
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they like indexing.
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So it is something
I'm thinking about.
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Payroll taxes - I've been
thinking about payroll
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taxes for a long time.
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Whether or not we do it
now or not is - it's not
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being done because of
recession, because we are
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- legitimately, if we had
a cut in interest rates by
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the Fed - if they would do
their job properly, and if
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they would do a meaningful
cut, because they raise
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too fast, you would see
growth like you've not
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seen ever in this country.
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Now, if you go from the
election - that great
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November 8th day - if you
go from November 9th to
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present, you're talking
about almost a 60 percent
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increase in the
stock market.
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You're talking about
unemployment numbers that
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are the lowest in history,
in many categories, and,
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overall, almost the lowest
ever, in the history
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of our country.
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I think it was 1969.
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And we are set to
surpass that number.
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I mean, our country
is doing very well.
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When I spoke to the
President, we were just
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walking in and he said,
"Congratulations on the
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great success of your
economy and your country."
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And I appreciated that.
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But our country is
doing very well.
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The Press: Mr. President,
would you agree
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strengthening American
military forces
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in Romania?
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President Trump: Well,
it's one of the things
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we'll be talking about
today, I assume.
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You might be
bringing that up.
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But it's something
we'll talk about.
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The Press: Mr.
President, next year,
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you host the G7.
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Would you like to have
Vladimir Putin back
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in the G7 and make it
the G8 again?
252
00:08:52,899 --> 00:08:56,899
President Trump: So it was
the G8 for a long time,
253
00:08:56,903 --> 00:09:00,203
and now it's the G7.
254
00:09:00,206 --> 00:09:02,706
And a lot of the time, we
talk about - we talk
255
00:09:02,708 --> 00:09:03,378
about Russia.
256
00:09:03,376 --> 00:09:05,376
We're talking about Russia
because I've gone to
257
00:09:05,378 --> 00:09:07,748
numerous G7 meetings.
258
00:09:07,747 --> 00:09:12,217
And I guess President
Obama, because Putin
259
00:09:12,218 --> 00:09:14,658
outsmarted him - President
Obama thought it wasn't
260
00:09:14,654 --> 00:09:16,024
a good thing to have
Russia in, so he wanted
261
00:09:16,022 --> 00:09:16,692
Russia out.
262
00:09:16,689 --> 00:09:18,029
But I think it's much
more appropriate
263
00:09:18,024 --> 00:09:18,694
to have Russia in.
264
00:09:18,691 --> 00:09:20,491
It should be the G8,
because a lot of the
265
00:09:20,493 --> 00:09:24,093
things we talk about
have to do with Russia.
266
00:09:24,096 --> 00:09:28,066
So I could certainly see
it being the G8 again.
267
00:09:28,067 --> 00:09:31,667
And if somebody would
make that motion, I would
268
00:09:31,671 --> 00:09:34,071
certainly be disposed
to think about
269
00:09:34,073 --> 00:09:35,273
it very favorably.
270
00:09:35,274 --> 00:09:38,874
But, as you know, for
most of the time,
271
00:09:38,878 --> 00:09:40,478
it was the G8.
272
00:09:40,479 --> 00:09:41,649
It included Russia.
273
00:09:41,647 --> 00:09:44,987
And President Obama didn't
want Russia in because
274
00:09:44,984 --> 00:09:46,184
he got outsmarted.
275
00:09:46,185 --> 00:09:47,985
Well, that's not the way
it really should work.
276
00:09:47,987 --> 00:09:50,457
The Press: Mr. President,
two years ago, you said
277
00:09:50,456 --> 00:09:52,656
that including Romania in
the Visa Waiver Program
278
00:09:52,658 --> 00:09:54,558
is a subject that
should be discussed.
279
00:09:54,560 --> 00:09:55,390
President Trump: Yeah.
280
00:09:55,394 --> 00:09:57,594
The Press: In this
meeting, will you discuss
281
00:09:57,596 --> 00:09:58,266
this issue?
282
00:09:58,264 --> 00:10:00,204
President Trump: We've
spent a lot of time on it.
283
00:10:00,199 --> 00:10:03,399
We've spent a lot of time
discussing it already.
284
00:10:03,402 --> 00:10:05,342
Our countries have been
discussing it, and we're
285
00:10:05,338 --> 00:10:07,638
going to - we're taking
it up today in a very
286
00:10:07,640 --> 00:10:09,540
important meeting
right after this one.
287
00:10:09,542 --> 00:10:10,842
Do you like the idea?
288
00:10:10,843 --> 00:10:12,843
It sounds like you
like the idea, right?
289
00:10:12,845 --> 00:10:14,785
The waiver - do
you like the idea?
290
00:10:14,780 --> 00:10:15,450
Okay.
291
00:10:15,448 --> 00:10:16,778
No, it's something
we're thinking about.
292
00:10:16,782 --> 00:10:18,322
The Press: Mr. President,
on Venezuela, is the White
293
00:10:18,317 --> 00:10:20,057
House in contact with
the Maduro regime -
294
00:10:20,052 --> 00:10:20,722
President Trump: Yes.
295
00:10:20,720 --> 00:10:22,390
The Press: - with his
number two, Cabello?
296
00:10:22,388 --> 00:10:24,758
President Trump: Well,
we're - we are in touch.
297
00:10:24,757 --> 00:10:28,027
We're talking to various
representatives
298
00:10:28,027 --> 00:10:29,157
of Venezuela.
299
00:10:29,161 --> 00:10:32,701
We're helping Venezuela
as much as we can.
300
00:10:32,698 --> 00:10:34,768
We're staying out of it,
but we are helping it,
301
00:10:34,767 --> 00:10:36,937
and it needs a lot of help.
302
00:10:36,936 --> 00:10:41,206
It's an incredible
tribute to something
303
00:10:41,207 --> 00:10:42,947
bad happening, and
the something bad
304
00:10:42,942 --> 00:10:43,772
is socialism.
305
00:10:43,776 --> 00:10:47,246
And it's amazing because,
15 years ago, it was
306
00:10:47,246 --> 00:10:48,586
one of the wealthiest
countries.
307
00:10:48,581 --> 00:10:50,421
Now it's one of the
poorest countries.
308
00:10:50,416 --> 00:10:52,686
It has oil reserves; it
has a lot of things going,
309
00:10:52,685 --> 00:10:54,785
but it's a very sad
thing what's happened.
310
00:10:54,787 --> 00:10:55,517
They don't have water.
311
00:10:55,521 --> 00:10:56,421
They don't have food.
312
00:10:56,422 --> 00:10:58,022
And we are helping a lot.
313
00:10:58,024 --> 00:11:00,764
We are talking to the
representatives at
314
00:11:00,760 --> 00:11:02,090
different levels
of Venezuela.
315
00:11:02,094 --> 00:11:02,764
Yes.
316
00:11:02,762 --> 00:11:03,432
The Press: To Cabello?
317
00:11:03,429 --> 00:11:04,829
President Trump: I don't
want to say who, but we
318
00:11:04,830 --> 00:11:06,170
are talking at a
very high level.
319
00:11:06,165 --> 00:11:08,335
The Press: What's the
status of the trade deal
320
00:11:08,334 --> 00:11:11,104
that you want to seal with
Boris Johnson at the G7?
321
00:11:11,103 --> 00:11:13,243
President Trump: So, I
spoke with Boris Johnson.
322
00:11:13,239 --> 00:11:15,779
I think he's going to be
a great Prime Minister.
323
00:11:15,775 --> 00:11:17,445
I think he's going to
do a fantastic job.
324
00:11:17,443 --> 00:11:18,883
I've known him.
325
00:11:18,878 --> 00:11:21,248
A lot of people know
that we have a very
326
00:11:21,247 --> 00:11:22,277
good relationship.
327
00:11:22,281 --> 00:11:25,451
I think he'll
be far superior.
328
00:11:25,451 --> 00:11:29,091
I think he'll do something
that will be a very -
329
00:11:29,088 --> 00:11:31,728
I think he's going to be
very important for the UK.
330
00:11:31,724 --> 00:11:33,494
I think he's going
to be very important.
331
00:11:33,492 --> 00:11:35,692
Dealing with the European
Union - I hate to say this
332
00:11:35,694 --> 00:11:37,594
to you, but dealing with
the European Union
333
00:11:37,596 --> 00:11:39,666
is very difficult.
334
00:11:39,665 --> 00:11:41,835
They drive a hard bargain.
335
00:11:41,834 --> 00:11:46,034
They're represented by
Jean-Claude, who is a
336
00:11:46,038 --> 00:11:47,478
friend of mine, but
he's a tough man.
337
00:11:47,473 --> 00:11:49,213
He's a very, very
tough man, and he's
338
00:11:49,208 --> 00:11:50,178
a great negotiator.
339
00:11:50,176 --> 00:11:53,376
And we have all the cards
in this country because
340
00:11:53,379 --> 00:11:57,249
all we'd have to do is tax
their cars and they would
341
00:11:57,249 --> 00:11:59,749
give us anything they
wanted because they send
342
00:11:59,752 --> 00:12:02,122
millions of Mercedes over.
343
00:12:02,121 --> 00:12:03,821
They send millions
of BMWs over.
344
00:12:03,823 --> 00:12:06,093
But we're talking to the
European Union and we're
345
00:12:06,092 --> 00:12:07,562
going to see if we can
work something out.
346
00:12:07,560 --> 00:12:10,200
But I will say this:
Dealing with the UK,
347
00:12:10,196 --> 00:12:16,636
they have not treated
the UK very well.
348
00:12:16,635 --> 00:12:19,005
That's a very tough
bargain they're driving,
349
00:12:19,004 --> 00:12:19,904
the European Union.
350
00:12:19,905 --> 00:12:22,005
That's a very
tough bargain.
351
00:12:22,007 --> 00:12:25,447
And I think that UK has
the right man in charge
352
00:12:25,444 --> 00:12:27,784
right now - the right
person in charge,
353
00:12:27,780 --> 00:12:29,080
in the form of Boris.
354
00:12:29,081 --> 00:12:31,351
The Press: And if I can
turn to Afghanistan:
355
00:12:31,350 --> 00:12:33,450
What is your current
thinking on pulling out
356
00:12:33,452 --> 00:12:34,492
the United States troops?
357
00:12:34,487 --> 00:12:36,227
President Trump: Well,
we're talking to the
358
00:12:36,222 --> 00:12:39,792
government of Afghanistan,
we're talking to the
359
00:12:39,792 --> 00:12:42,062
Taliban, and we're
talking to others.
360
00:12:42,061 --> 00:12:45,161
And we're looking at
different things.
361
00:12:45,164 --> 00:12:47,634
We've been there
for 18 years.
362
00:12:47,633 --> 00:12:48,633
It's ridiculous.
363
00:12:48,634 --> 00:12:50,634
We have taken
it down a notch.
364
00:12:50,636 --> 00:12:55,376
We're at about 13,000
people right now -
365
00:12:55,374 --> 00:12:57,844
13,000 Americans.
366
00:12:57,843 --> 00:13:00,413
NATO has some troops
there too, by the way.
367
00:13:00,412 --> 00:13:03,912
And we're having
good discussions.
368
00:13:03,916 --> 00:13:05,356
We'll see what happens.
369
00:13:05,351 --> 00:13:06,421
We'll see what happens.
370
00:13:06,418 --> 00:13:07,718
Look, it's 18 years.
371
00:13:07,720 --> 00:13:11,020
We're like - we're not
really fighting; we're a -
372
00:13:11,023 --> 00:13:12,923
almost more of a police
force over there.
373
00:13:12,925 --> 00:13:14,165
It's been so many years.
374
00:13:14,160 --> 00:13:16,500
But we're like
a police force.
375
00:13:16,495 --> 00:13:18,995
And we're not supposed
to be a police force.
376
00:13:18,998 --> 00:13:23,198
And as I've said, and I'll
say it any number of times
377
00:13:23,202 --> 00:13:26,172
- and this is not using
nuclear - we could win
378
00:13:26,172 --> 00:13:29,212
that war in a week if
we wanted to fight it.
379
00:13:29,208 --> 00:13:31,348
But I'm not looking to
kill 10 million people.
380
00:13:31,343 --> 00:13:35,013
I'm not looking to kill 10
million Afghans, because
381
00:13:35,014 --> 00:13:37,154
that's what would have
to happen, and I'm not
382
00:13:37,149 --> 00:13:38,319
looking to do that.
383
00:13:38,317 --> 00:13:41,217
But it's a war that has
been going on for almost
384
00:13:41,220 --> 00:13:45,790
19 years now, and,
frankly, it's ridiculous.
385
00:13:45,791 --> 00:13:49,591
But, with that being said,
it's a dangerous place,
386
00:13:49,595 --> 00:13:51,265
and we have to always
keep an eye on it.
387
00:13:51,263 --> 00:13:52,733
The Press: It sounds
like you'd like to pull
388
00:13:52,731 --> 00:13:53,871
completely out,
if you could.
389
00:13:53,866 --> 00:13:56,466
President Trump: I'd
like to look at various
390
00:13:56,468 --> 00:13:57,568
alternatives.
391
00:13:57,570 --> 00:13:59,970
One of the alternatives
is going on right now.
392
00:13:59,972 --> 00:14:02,012
We're talking about a plan
- I don't know whether
393
00:14:02,007 --> 00:14:04,977
or not the plan is going
to be acceptable to me.
394
00:14:04,977 --> 00:14:07,717
And maybe it's not going
to be acceptable to them.
395
00:14:07,713 --> 00:14:09,183
But we are talking.
396
00:14:09,181 --> 00:14:10,621
We have good talks
going, and we'll see
397
00:14:10,616 --> 00:14:11,286
what happens.
398
00:14:11,283 --> 00:14:13,583
This is more than other
Presidents have done.
399
00:14:13,586 --> 00:14:14,856
But we have
brought it down.
400
00:14:14,853 --> 00:14:17,323
We are bringing some
of our troops back.
401
00:14:17,323 --> 00:14:18,923
But we have to
have a presence.
402
00:14:18,924 --> 00:14:19,594
Yes.
403
00:14:19,592 --> 00:14:21,022
The Press: Mr. President,
could you clarify your
404
00:14:21,026 --> 00:14:23,996
position on enhanced
background checks?
405
00:14:23,996 --> 00:14:26,636
After El Paso and Dayton,
you seemed to be fully
406
00:14:26,632 --> 00:14:28,202
in support - President
Trump: Right.
407
00:14:28,200 --> 00:14:29,540
The Press: - of
enhanced measures.
408
00:14:29,535 --> 00:14:31,105
When you were leaving
Bedminster, you seemed
409
00:14:31,103 --> 00:14:33,273
to suggest that we already
do have strong background
410
00:14:33,272 --> 00:14:35,442
laws, which a lot of
people read as you dialing
411
00:14:35,441 --> 00:14:36,111
back (inaudible).
412
00:14:36,108 --> 00:14:37,448
President Trump:
Well, we do have.
413
00:14:37,443 --> 00:14:39,113
I mean, I'm not doing
that to be cute.
414
00:14:39,111 --> 00:14:41,311
We have very, very
strong background checks
415
00:14:41,313 --> 00:14:41,983
right now.
416
00:14:41,981 --> 00:14:47,321
But we have, sort of,
missing areas and areas
417
00:14:47,319 --> 00:14:50,319
that don't complete
the whole circle.
418
00:14:50,322 --> 00:14:51,922
And we're looking at
different things.
419
00:14:51,924 --> 00:14:53,364
And I have to
tell you that
420
00:14:53,359 --> 00:14:54,729
it is a mental problem.
421
00:14:54,727 --> 00:14:56,827
And I've said it a hundred
times: It's not the gun
422
00:14:56,829 --> 00:14:59,329
that pulls the trigger;
it's the person that
423
00:14:59,331 --> 00:15:00,131
pulls the trigger.
424
00:15:00,132 --> 00:15:02,832
These are sick people, and
it is also that kind
425
00:15:02,835 --> 00:15:04,605
of a problem.
426
00:15:04,603 --> 00:15:06,843
And we're looking at
mental institutions, which
427
00:15:06,839 --> 00:15:07,569
we used to have.
428
00:15:07,573 --> 00:15:09,943
Like, as an example, where
I come from in New York,
429
00:15:09,942 --> 00:15:12,582
they closed up almost
all of their mental
430
00:15:12,578 --> 00:15:15,448
institutions - or many of
them - and those people
431
00:15:15,447 --> 00:15:16,647
just went onto
the streets.
432
00:15:16,649 --> 00:15:18,219
And they did it for
budgetary reasons.
433
00:15:18,217 --> 00:15:20,887
Well, New York is not
unique; they've done that
434
00:15:20,886 --> 00:15:21,786
in many places.
435
00:15:21,787 --> 00:15:23,127
The Press: Would you
support either of the
436
00:15:23,122 --> 00:15:24,452
House bills that were
passed earlier this year?
437
00:15:24,456 --> 00:15:25,826
President Trump: Well,
I'm not going to get
438
00:15:25,824 --> 00:15:26,494
into that.
439
00:15:26,492 --> 00:15:28,432
But we are in very
meaningful discussions
440
00:15:28,427 --> 00:15:30,067
with the Democrats.
441
00:15:30,062 --> 00:15:33,162
And I think the
Republicans are very unified.
442
00:15:33,165 --> 00:15:35,235
We are very strong on
our Second Amendment.
443
00:15:35,234 --> 00:15:37,104
The Democrats are not
strong at all on the
444
00:15:37,102 --> 00:15:38,272
Second Amendment.
445
00:15:38,270 --> 00:15:40,910
I would say they're weak
on the Second Amendment,
446
00:15:40,906 --> 00:15:42,346
and we have to be
careful of that.
447
00:15:42,341 --> 00:15:44,611
The Democrats would, I
believe - I think
448
00:15:44,610 --> 00:15:46,680
they'd give up the
Second Amendment.
449
00:15:46,679 --> 00:15:50,719
And the people that - a
lot of the people that
450
00:15:50,716 --> 00:15:53,156
put me where I am are
strong believers
451
00:15:53,152 --> 00:15:55,722
in the Second Amendment -
and I am, also.
452
00:15:55,721 --> 00:15:57,821
And we have to be very
careful about that.
453
00:15:57,823 --> 00:16:00,423
You know, they call it the
"slippery slope," and all
454
00:16:00,426 --> 00:16:02,126
of the sudden, everything
gets taken away.
455
00:16:02,127 --> 00:16:03,497
We're not going to
let that happen.
456
00:16:03,495 --> 00:16:06,295
The Press: President
Iohannis - President
457
00:16:06,298 --> 00:16:07,468
Trump: Yeah, go
ahead, please.
458
00:16:07,466 --> 00:16:09,166
The Press: For Mr.
President Iohannis,
459
00:16:09,168 --> 00:16:11,438
will you discuss the issue
of the fight against
460
00:16:11,437 --> 00:16:12,907
corruption in Romania
with President Trump?
461
00:16:12,905 --> 00:16:14,105
Will you discuss
this issue?
462
00:16:14,106 --> 00:16:15,476
President Trump:
Please, go ahead.
463
00:16:15,474 --> 00:16:17,514
President Iohannis: Well,
I hope so, because we have
464
00:16:17,509 --> 00:16:18,209
good results.
465
00:16:18,210 --> 00:16:20,410
And I want to share those
with President Trump.
466
00:16:20,412 --> 00:16:22,282
President Trump: And
what is your question?
467
00:16:22,281 --> 00:16:24,681
The Press: I was asking
about the fight against
468
00:16:24,683 --> 00:16:25,483
corruption in Romania.
469
00:16:25,484 --> 00:16:27,084
President Trump: So nice
to have a question
470
00:16:27,086 --> 00:16:27,856
about Romania.
471
00:16:27,853 --> 00:16:30,793
The Press: So I ask - I
ask you, will you discuss
472
00:16:30,789 --> 00:16:32,529
this issue, the fight
against corruption, with
473
00:16:32,524 --> 00:16:33,254
your Romanian counterpart?
474
00:16:33,258 --> 00:16:34,458
President Trump:
Sure, I will.
475
00:16:34,460 --> 00:16:35,160
Sure.
476
00:16:35,160 --> 00:16:36,700
The Press: Last time
you praised President -
477
00:16:36,695 --> 00:16:37,935
President Trump:
Sure, I will.
478
00:16:37,930 --> 00:16:38,900
Of course, I will.
479
00:16:38,897 --> 00:16:41,137
The Press: Last time you
praised - President Trump:
480
00:16:41,133 --> 00:16:43,033
But I think that this is
a man that can solve
481
00:16:43,035 --> 00:16:45,375
the corruption problem
in Romania.
482
00:16:45,371 --> 00:16:47,371
And he's made big strides,
from what I hear.
483
00:16:47,373 --> 00:16:50,373
I haven't been
there recently.
484
00:16:50,376 --> 00:16:51,876
But he's made
very big strides.
485
00:16:51,877 --> 00:16:53,547
And I think he's the
man that can solve
486
00:16:53,545 --> 00:16:55,215
the corruption problem.
487
00:16:55,214 --> 00:16:58,614
There are a number of
really terrific countries
488
00:16:58,617 --> 00:17:01,157
like Romania, but they
have a tremendous
489
00:17:01,153 --> 00:17:02,083
corruption problem.
490
00:17:02,087 --> 00:17:04,327
And I've heard you've
made tremendous progress.
491
00:17:04,323 --> 00:17:05,323
President Iohannis:
W did, sir.
492
00:17:05,324 --> 00:17:07,164
The Press: Mr. President,
what's the status of your
493
00:17:07,159 --> 00:17:08,289
foreign aid cut package?
494
00:17:08,293 --> 00:17:10,563
Do you still support
cutting (inaudible)?
495
00:17:10,562 --> 00:17:12,162
President Trump: Well,
we're looking at it.
496
00:17:12,164 --> 00:17:13,734
And we're looking at
it in different ways.
497
00:17:13,732 --> 00:17:15,632
And we're talking to
Republicans and Democrats
498
00:17:15,634 --> 00:17:16,334
about it.
499
00:17:16,335 --> 00:17:18,505
And certain things we can
save and certain things -
500
00:17:18,504 --> 00:17:22,674
it probably could be,
you know, a pennywise.
501
00:17:22,674 --> 00:17:23,774
Maybe it's a pennywise.
502
00:17:23,776 --> 00:17:24,506
We'll see.
503
00:17:24,510 --> 00:17:25,640
But we are looking at it.
504
00:17:25,644 --> 00:17:27,844
And we have some
things that are on the
505
00:17:27,846 --> 00:17:28,646
table very much.
506
00:17:28,647 --> 00:17:31,187
And we'll let you know
over the next, probably,
507
00:17:31,183 --> 00:17:32,153
sooner than a week.
508
00:17:32,151 --> 00:17:34,351
The Press: Mr. President,
your administration has
509
00:17:34,353 --> 00:17:37,193
been taking steps to make
it easier to discriminate
510
00:17:37,189 --> 00:17:39,059
against LGBT people
in the workforce.
511
00:17:39,057 --> 00:17:40,957
Are you okay with
those actions?
512
00:17:40,959 --> 00:17:43,099
President Trump: Well, you
know, I just got an award
513
00:17:43,095 --> 00:17:46,465
and an endorsement
yesterday from a - the
514
00:17:46,465 --> 00:17:48,205
exact group, a group.
515
00:17:48,200 --> 00:17:50,200
They gave - you saw that.
516
00:17:50,202 --> 00:17:52,002
They gave me the
endorsement yesterday.
517
00:17:52,004 --> 00:17:55,104
And I was very honored
to - is it Log Cabin?
518
00:17:55,107 --> 00:17:56,007
The Log Cabin group.
519
00:17:56,008 --> 00:17:57,848
And I was very
honored to receive it.
520
00:17:57,843 --> 00:18:00,913
No, I've done very well
with that community.
521
00:18:00,913 --> 00:18:03,283
Some of my biggest
supporters are
522
00:18:03,282 --> 00:18:04,352
of that community.
523
00:18:04,349 --> 00:18:06,089
And I think they - and
I talk to them
524
00:18:06,084 --> 00:18:07,424
a lot about it.
525
00:18:07,419 --> 00:18:09,659
I think I've done really
very well with that
526
00:18:09,655 --> 00:18:10,325
community.
527
00:18:10,322 --> 00:18:12,922
As you know, Peter Thiel
and so many others,
528
00:18:12,925 --> 00:18:14,895
they're - they're
with me all the way.
529
00:18:14,893 --> 00:18:16,663
And they like the
job I'm doing.
530
00:18:16,662 --> 00:18:19,602
And I just got a big
endorsement from
531
00:18:19,598 --> 00:18:21,838
the Log Cabin group.
532
00:18:21,834 --> 00:18:22,604
Yeah.
533
00:18:22,601 --> 00:18:24,641
The Press: Mr. President,
you keep insisting that
534
00:18:24,636 --> 00:18:26,836
your trade war with China
- the trade war with China
535
00:18:26,839 --> 00:18:28,479
is not affecting the U.S. economy.
536
00:18:28,474 --> 00:18:30,144
But a lot of economists
disagree with that.
537
00:18:30,142 --> 00:18:31,842
And they worry that
if China goes into
538
00:18:31,844 --> 00:18:33,514
a recession, they'll
pull us down with it.
539
00:18:33,512 --> 00:18:34,852
President Trump:
Well - well, okay.
540
00:18:34,847 --> 00:18:36,447
Let me - let me
tell you something.
541
00:18:36,448 --> 00:18:38,448
Number one, we're doing
very well as an economy.
542
00:18:38,450 --> 00:18:41,090
But somebody had
to take China on.
543
00:18:41,086 --> 00:18:43,986
You know, I read and I
see so much and I read
544
00:18:43,989 --> 00:18:46,359
so much, and I'll see
these economists saying,
545
00:18:46,358 --> 00:18:47,728
"Oh, give up.
546
00:18:47,726 --> 00:18:48,656
Give up on China.
547
00:18:48,660 --> 00:18:49,390
Give up."
548
00:18:49,394 --> 00:18:51,464
China has been ripping
this country off for
549
00:18:51,463 --> 00:18:53,303
25 years - for
longer than that.
550
00:18:53,298 --> 00:18:56,138
And it's about time,
whether it's good for our
551
00:18:56,134 --> 00:18:58,574
country or bad for our
country short term.
552
00:18:58,570 --> 00:19:01,140
Long term, it's imperative
that somebody does this
553
00:19:01,139 --> 00:19:04,109
because our country cannot
continue to pay China
554
00:19:04,109 --> 00:19:07,509
$500 billion a year
because stupid people
555
00:19:07,513 --> 00:19:08,513
are running it.
556
00:19:08,514 --> 00:19:10,144
So I don't mind
this question.
557
00:19:10,148 --> 00:19:14,288
Whether it's good or bad,
short term, is irrelevant.
558
00:19:14,286 --> 00:19:16,986
We have to solve the
problem with China because
559
00:19:16,989 --> 00:19:20,659
they're taking out $500
billion a year-plus.
560
00:19:20,659 --> 00:19:23,099
And that doesn't include
intellectual property
561
00:19:23,095 --> 00:19:25,665
theft and other things.
562
00:19:25,664 --> 00:19:28,604
And also, national
security.
563
00:19:28,600 --> 00:19:31,870
So, I am doing this
whether it's good or bad
564
00:19:31,870 --> 00:19:34,810
for your - your statement
about, "Oh, will we fall
565
00:19:34,806 --> 00:19:36,376
into a recession
for two months?"
566
00:19:36,375 --> 00:19:37,275
Okay?
567
00:19:37,276 --> 00:19:39,076
The fact is, somebody
had to take China on.
568
00:19:39,077 --> 00:19:40,847
My life would be a lot
easier if I didn't take
569
00:19:40,846 --> 00:19:41,516
China on.
570
00:19:41,513 --> 00:19:43,783
But I like doing it
because I have to do it.
571
00:19:43,782 --> 00:19:45,352
And we're getting
great results.
572
00:19:45,350 --> 00:19:46,890
China has had the worst
year they've had
573
00:19:46,885 --> 00:19:48,425
in 27 years.
574
00:19:48,420 --> 00:19:49,990
And a lot of people are
saying the worst year
575
00:19:49,988 --> 00:19:52,258
they've had in 54 years.
576
00:19:52,257 --> 00:19:52,927
Okay?
577
00:19:52,925 --> 00:19:56,225
And frankly, I don't want
that to happen, but it
578
00:19:56,228 --> 00:19:58,428
does put us in a good
negotiating position,
579
00:19:58,430 --> 00:19:59,360
doesn't it?
580
00:19:59,364 --> 00:20:02,634
And China wants to make
a deal, and that's good.
581
00:20:02,634 --> 00:20:04,904
But they have to make a
deal that's fair to us.
582
00:20:04,903 --> 00:20:07,473
It can't be a deal
that's not fair to us.
583
00:20:07,472 --> 00:20:09,842
And you should be happy
that I'm fighting this
584
00:20:09,841 --> 00:20:12,111
and I'm fighting this battle,
because somebody had
585
00:20:12,110 --> 00:20:12,880
to do it.
586
00:20:12,878 --> 00:20:14,948
We couldn't let this go -
I don't even think it's
587
00:20:14,947 --> 00:20:17,417
sustainable to let go
on what was happening.
588
00:20:17,416 --> 00:20:19,416
They were stealing all
of our intellectual
589
00:20:19,418 --> 00:20:21,258
property ideas.
590
00:20:21,253 --> 00:20:23,223
The theft was incredible.
591
00:20:23,221 --> 00:20:26,121
They call it "intellectual
property theft."
592
00:20:26,124 --> 00:20:29,594
And they value it at
$300 billion a year.
593
00:20:29,595 --> 00:20:31,065
Who knows how
they value it?
594
00:20:31,063 --> 00:20:32,763
I know how to value
dollars; I don't know how
595
00:20:32,764 --> 00:20:34,904
to value intellectual
property theft.
596
00:20:34,900 --> 00:20:37,240
But they have experts that
say it's at least
597
00:20:37,235 --> 00:20:40,005
$300 billion a year,
where they steal it.
598
00:20:40,005 --> 00:20:42,575
Somebody had to do
something with China.
599
00:20:42,574 --> 00:20:43,944
Obama should have done it.
600
00:20:43,942 --> 00:20:45,382
Bush should have done it.
601
00:20:45,377 --> 00:20:46,617
Clinton should
have done it.
602
00:20:46,612 --> 00:20:48,112
They all should
have done it.
603
00:20:48,113 --> 00:20:50,253
Nobody did it;
I'm doing it.
604
00:20:50,248 --> 00:20:51,048
So what do you say?
605
00:20:51,049 --> 00:20:53,789
"Oh, my trade deals
are causing them."
606
00:20:53,785 --> 00:20:56,425
My trade deals aren't
causing a problem.
607
00:20:56,421 --> 00:20:58,361
This is something
that had to be done.
608
00:20:58,357 --> 00:21:00,497
The only difference
is I'm doing it.
609
00:21:00,492 --> 00:21:02,732
I could be sitting here
right now with a stock
610
00:21:02,728 --> 00:21:05,668
market that would be up
10,000 points higher if
611
00:21:05,664 --> 00:21:07,304
I didn't want to do it.
612
00:21:07,299 --> 00:21:09,539
But I think we have no
choice but to do it.
613
00:21:09,534 --> 00:21:11,804
And a lot of people that
really know, people that
614
00:21:11,803 --> 00:21:14,373
love our country, they're
saying, "Thank you very
615
00:21:14,373 --> 00:21:15,503
much for taking it on."
616
00:21:15,507 --> 00:21:17,777
And we're winning because
they're having the worst
617
00:21:17,776 --> 00:21:20,146
year they've
had in decades.
618
00:21:20,145 --> 00:21:21,485
And it's only
going to get worse.
619
00:21:21,480 --> 00:21:23,750
China has lost 2 million
jobs in the last month
620
00:21:23,749 --> 00:21:27,249
and a half because they're
moving - the people,
621
00:21:27,252 --> 00:21:31,522
the companies are moving to
non-tariffed countries.
622
00:21:31,523 --> 00:21:34,923
They've lost over 2
million jobs in a very
623
00:21:34,926 --> 00:21:36,496
short period of time.
624
00:21:36,495 --> 00:21:39,295
They're going to
lose a lot more jobs.
625
00:21:39,297 --> 00:21:41,667
And if I didn't help
certain companies - there
626
00:21:41,667 --> 00:21:44,007
are American companies
like Apple - for a very
627
00:21:44,002 --> 00:21:46,772
short period of time, I
may help them, only until
628
00:21:46,772 --> 00:21:49,572
they do what they have to
do, which is probably move
629
00:21:49,574 --> 00:21:50,244
from China.
630
00:21:50,242 --> 00:21:52,782
Because this would
be a very short term.
631
00:21:52,778 --> 00:21:56,478
If I didn't help them,
they would - I mean, they
632
00:21:56,481 --> 00:21:59,521
would be - they would
have a big problem.
633
00:21:59,518 --> 00:22:04,088
Here's the thing: Somebody
had to take on what China
634
00:22:04,089 --> 00:22:06,689
was doing to the United
States economically.
635
00:22:06,692 --> 00:22:09,292
We're winning big.
636
00:22:09,294 --> 00:22:10,024
I took it on.
637
00:22:10,028 --> 00:22:11,968
And it should have
been done by previous
638
00:22:11,963 --> 00:22:13,903
Presidents, but
I took it on.
639
00:22:13,899 --> 00:22:16,969
And I'm happy to do it
because it had to be done.
640
00:22:16,968 --> 00:22:19,708
And the smart people say,
"Thank you very much."
641
00:22:19,705 --> 00:22:21,945
And the dumb people
have no idea.
642
00:22:21,940 --> 00:22:24,240
And then you have the
political people,
643
00:22:24,242 --> 00:22:26,242
and they go with the wind.
644
00:22:26,244 --> 00:22:28,384
But they all know - even
Senator Schumer said,
645
00:22:28,380 --> 00:22:30,780
"Wow, Trump is doing a
great job with China."
646
00:22:30,782 --> 00:22:32,422
I couldn't believe that.
647
00:22:32,417 --> 00:22:34,357
But Schumer thinks I'm
doing the right thing.
648
00:22:34,352 --> 00:22:37,192
And he's doing the right
thing by saying it because
649
00:22:37,189 --> 00:22:40,329
he knows that China was
a big economic threat.
650
00:22:40,325 --> 00:22:42,265
And they were taking all
of that money that they
651
00:22:42,260 --> 00:22:45,160
were making from us, and
they were building planes
652
00:22:45,163 --> 00:22:47,933
and ships and lots
of other things.
653
00:22:47,933 --> 00:22:50,233
And we can't
let that happen.
654
00:22:50,235 --> 00:22:51,975
The Press: Mr. President,
on China, there is a new
655
00:22:51,970 --> 00:22:53,340
study out of Australia
that suggests with the
656
00:22:53,338 --> 00:22:57,278
current Chinese military
posture in the South China
657
00:22:57,275 --> 00:23:00,715
Sea, Indo-Pacific region,
it could wipe out most U.S.
658
00:23:00,712 --> 00:23:03,612
bases within a
number of hours.
659
00:23:03,615 --> 00:23:05,385
Is that something that
keeps you up at night?
660
00:23:05,383 --> 00:23:07,053
President Trump: Well,
nothing keeps me
661
00:23:07,052 --> 00:23:07,722
up at night.
662
00:23:07,719 --> 00:23:10,919
I'll tell you, we could
wipe out anything we -
663
00:23:10,922 --> 00:23:12,862
we have the most
powerful in the world.
664
00:23:12,858 --> 00:23:16,028
And when I came in two and
a half years ago, we were
665
00:23:16,027 --> 00:23:17,297
in a very bad position.
666
00:23:17,295 --> 00:23:18,765
Now we're in a very
strong position.
667
00:23:18,764 --> 00:23:23,834
We got $700 billion and
$716 billion and then
668
00:23:23,835 --> 00:23:25,835
$738 billion.
669
00:23:25,837 --> 00:23:27,937
We have the strongest
military in the world
670
00:23:27,939 --> 00:23:28,609
right now.
671
00:23:28,607 --> 00:23:30,847
And we're getting very
close to finishing that
672
00:23:30,842 --> 00:23:32,012
whole rebuilding.
673
00:23:32,010 --> 00:23:33,950
We've rebuilt
the military.
674
00:23:33,945 --> 00:23:35,785
Right now, there's nobody
that's even close
675
00:23:35,781 --> 00:23:37,051
to us, militarily.
676
00:23:37,048 --> 00:23:37,788
Not even close.
677
00:23:37,783 --> 00:23:39,483
The Press: So it doesn't
concern you at all that
678
00:23:39,484 --> 00:23:40,854
the Chinese military -
President Trump: No,
679
00:23:40,852 --> 00:23:42,192
because they'd pay a price
that they wouldn't
680
00:23:42,187 --> 00:23:42,857
want to pay.
681
00:23:42,854 --> 00:23:44,794
The Press: Is John
Sullivan your choice for U.S.
682
00:23:44,790 --> 00:23:45,460
ambassador (inaudible)?
683
00:23:45,457 --> 00:23:46,797
President Trump: He's
somebody that's being
684
00:23:46,792 --> 00:23:49,192
put up and respected
very much.
685
00:23:49,194 --> 00:23:49,864
To Russia?
686
00:23:49,861 --> 00:23:50,561
The Press: Yes, sir.
687
00:23:50,562 --> 00:23:51,662
President Trump: Yeah.
688
00:23:51,663 --> 00:23:52,433
Very respected.
689
00:23:52,430 --> 00:23:53,870
The Press: So,
he's your pick?
690
00:23:53,865 --> 00:23:55,305
Or you're still -
President Trump: Well,
691
00:23:55,300 --> 00:23:56,640
I know that Mike Pompeo
likes him very much.
692
00:23:56,635 --> 00:23:57,305
And he's very respected.
693
00:23:57,302 --> 00:23:58,072
He could very well be.
694
00:23:58,069 --> 00:23:58,739
Yeah.
695
00:23:58,737 --> 00:23:59,537
The Press: Okay.
696
00:23:59,538 --> 00:24:00,208
Thanks.
697
00:24:00,205 --> 00:24:01,545
The Press: What about
Huawei, Mr. President?
698
00:24:01,540 --> 00:24:03,680
Do you think partners,
like Romania here, should
699
00:24:03,675 --> 00:24:06,475
look into the business of
Huawei in order to make
700
00:24:06,478 --> 00:24:07,878
a good decision whether -
701
00:24:07,879 --> 00:24:09,749
President Trump:
They're doing that.
702
00:24:09,748 --> 00:24:10,718
Romania is doing that.
703
00:24:10,715 --> 00:24:13,215
The Press: Mr. President,
Afghanistan again.
704
00:24:13,218 --> 00:24:14,588
The Taliban are
talking to the U.S.
705
00:24:14,586 --> 00:24:16,656
but they're not talking
to the Afghan government.
706
00:24:16,655 --> 00:24:20,225
If the U.S. were to draw
down and the Taliban went
707
00:24:20,225 --> 00:24:22,395
on the offensive,
would the U.S. come
708
00:24:22,394 --> 00:24:24,364
and rescue, say,
the Afghan government?
709
00:24:24,362 --> 00:24:28,772
President Trump: Well, the
Taliban does not respect
710
00:24:28,767 --> 00:24:30,097
the government, the
Afghan government.
711
00:24:30,101 --> 00:24:31,441
They have no respect for
the Afghan government.
712
00:24:31,436 --> 00:24:33,336
And I understand
that and I know that.
713
00:24:33,338 --> 00:24:35,938
And they haven't been
exactly getting along
714
00:24:35,941 --> 00:24:37,071
for a long period of time.
715
00:24:37,075 --> 00:24:39,915
But we've been a
peacekeeper there,
716
00:24:39,911 --> 00:24:42,481
in a way, for 19 years.
717
00:24:42,480 --> 00:24:44,480
And at a certain point,
you have to say,
718
00:24:44,482 --> 00:24:46,552
"That's long enough."
719
00:24:46,551 --> 00:24:50,091
I go to Walter Reed and I
see young men that step on
720
00:24:50,088 --> 00:24:52,528
a bomb and they lose their
legs, they lose their
721
00:24:52,524 --> 00:24:54,494
arms, and in some case,
they lose both and their
722
00:24:54,492 --> 00:24:56,432
face on top of it.
723
00:24:56,428 --> 00:24:57,098
And they're living.
724
00:24:57,095 --> 00:25:01,905
And again, we could win
that, but I don't want
725
00:25:01,900 --> 00:25:06,040
to do what we would
have to do to win it.
726
00:25:06,037 --> 00:25:07,807
And I think most people
agree with me on that.
727
00:25:07,806 --> 00:25:09,176
The Press: Would you
commit to protecting
728
00:25:09,174 --> 00:25:10,504
the Afghan government,
should they?
729
00:25:10,508 --> 00:25:11,848
President Trump: Right
now, what we're doing is
730
00:25:11,843 --> 00:25:13,383
we're negotiating with
the government and we're
731
00:25:13,378 --> 00:25:15,278
negotiating with the
Taliban, and we'll see
732
00:25:15,280 --> 00:25:17,320
what happens from it,
what's coming from it.
733
00:25:17,315 --> 00:25:19,615
I will say this: The
Taliban would like
734
00:25:19,618 --> 00:25:21,818
to stop fighting us.
735
00:25:21,820 --> 00:25:23,290
They would like to
stop fighting us.
736
00:25:23,288 --> 00:25:24,928
They've lost a lot.
737
00:25:24,923 --> 00:25:26,963
But we'll see
what happens.
738
00:25:26,958 --> 00:25:29,098
And, remember,
it's a tough place.
739
00:25:29,094 --> 00:25:33,464
The Soviet Union became
Russia because
740
00:25:33,465 --> 00:25:34,535
of Afghanistan.
741
00:25:34,532 --> 00:25:35,372
That's what happened.
742
00:25:35,367 --> 00:25:36,907
Very simple.
743
00:25:36,902 --> 00:25:38,942
They became Russia
because of Afghanistan.
744
00:25:38,937 --> 00:25:42,807
Somebody would say, "Oh,
well, would Russia go in?"
745
00:25:42,807 --> 00:25:44,147
I said, "If they
want, let them.
746
00:25:44,142 --> 00:25:46,142
I think they tried
that before, however.
747
00:25:46,144 --> 00:25:46,974
Didn't work out too well."
748
00:25:46,978 --> 00:25:48,318
The Press: Can the
Taliban be trusted?
749
00:25:48,313 --> 00:25:50,553
Or could we be right
back to where to
750
00:25:50,548 --> 00:25:51,218
we were pre-9/11?
751
00:25:51,216 --> 00:25:52,586
President Trump:
Nobody can be trusted.
752
00:25:52,584 --> 00:25:53,984
Nobody can be trusted.
753
00:25:53,985 --> 00:25:55,725
The Press: Are you worried
that we couldn't be back
754
00:25:55,720 --> 00:25:56,390
to where we were pre-9/11?
755
00:25:56,388 --> 00:25:57,718
President Trump: In my
world - in this world,
756
00:25:57,722 --> 00:25:58,392
I think nobody
can be trusted.
757
00:25:58,390 --> 00:25:59,720
The Press: But could we
be back to where we were
758
00:25:59,724 --> 00:26:01,094
pre-9/11 with the Taliban
in complete and total
759
00:26:01,092 --> 00:26:01,762
control of Afghanistan?
760
00:26:01,760 --> 00:26:03,090
President Trump: Well,
that's what we have to watch.
761
00:26:03,094 --> 00:26:04,434
And we'll always
have intelligence,
762
00:26:04,429 --> 00:26:05,769
and we'll always have
somebody there.
763
00:26:05,764 --> 00:26:07,264
But you can say that about
a lot of places, Jon.
764
00:26:07,265 --> 00:26:08,835
You know, doesn't have
to be that sector.
765
00:26:08,833 --> 00:26:12,103
But that does seem to be
the Harvard University
766
00:26:12,103 --> 00:26:13,273
of terrorism.
767
00:26:13,271 --> 00:26:14,311
Okay?
768
00:26:14,306 --> 00:26:15,336
It seems to be.
769
00:26:15,340 --> 00:26:19,440
And we'll always
have somebody there.
770
00:26:19,444 --> 00:26:24,354
And if the Taliban were -
were really right in what
771
00:26:24,349 --> 00:26:26,989
they're saying, they would
stop that from happening.
772
00:26:26,985 --> 00:26:28,655
Because they could stop
that from happening
773
00:26:28,653 --> 00:26:29,323
very easily.
774
00:26:29,321 --> 00:26:29,991
Okay?
775
00:26:29,988 --> 00:26:30,658
So, we'll see.
776
00:26:30,655 --> 00:26:32,525
The Press: The crisis
between India and Pakistan
777
00:26:32,524 --> 00:26:33,964
- President Trump:
It's a big deal.
778
00:26:33,959 --> 00:26:36,329
The Press: - and I know
you've had some number
779
00:26:36,328 --> 00:26:37,758
of discussions - is
that solvable?
780
00:26:37,762 --> 00:26:39,662
President Trump: Well,
they've been having this -
781
00:26:39,664 --> 00:26:41,534
these talks for hundreds
of years, even under
782
00:26:41,533 --> 00:26:42,233
different names.
783
00:26:42,233 --> 00:26:44,173
But this is -
but it's Kashmir.
784
00:26:44,169 --> 00:26:47,709
And Kashmir is a very
complicated place.
785
00:26:47,706 --> 00:26:49,876
You have the Hindus and
you have the Muslims,
786
00:26:49,874 --> 00:26:53,374
and I wouldn't say they
get along so great.
787
00:26:53,378 --> 00:26:55,518
And that's what
you have right now.
788
00:26:55,513 --> 00:27:00,223
And you have millions of
people that want to be
789
00:27:00,218 --> 00:27:03,158
ruled by others, and
maybe on both sides.
790
00:27:03,154 --> 00:27:05,324
And you have two countries
that haven't gotten along
791
00:27:05,323 --> 00:27:06,363
well for a long time.
792
00:27:06,358 --> 00:27:09,298
And, frankly, it's a very
explosive situation.
793
00:27:09,294 --> 00:27:11,964
I spoke to Prime
Minister Khan.
794
00:27:11,963 --> 00:27:15,403
I spoke with, yesterday,
also, Prime Minster Modi.
795
00:27:15,400 --> 00:27:16,330
They're both
friends of mine.
796
00:27:16,334 --> 00:27:17,834
They're great people.
797
00:27:17,836 --> 00:27:18,836
They're great people.
798
00:27:18,837 --> 00:27:20,167
And they love
their countries.
799
00:27:20,171 --> 00:27:23,111
And they're in a very
tough situation.
800
00:27:23,108 --> 00:27:25,248
Kashmir is a very
tough situation.
801
00:27:25,243 --> 00:27:27,183
And, you know, we're
talking about - this has
802
00:27:27,178 --> 00:27:29,748
been going on for
decades and decades.
803
00:27:29,748 --> 00:27:30,418
Shooting.
804
00:27:30,415 --> 00:27:34,515
I don't mean shooting like
shooting a rifle, I mean
805
00:27:34,519 --> 00:27:38,419
like major shooting of
howitzers, of - you know,
806
00:27:38,423 --> 00:27:39,823
of heavy arms.
807
00:27:39,824 --> 00:27:42,594
And it's been going on for
a long period of time.
808
00:27:42,594 --> 00:27:45,534
But I get along really
well with both of them.
809
00:27:45,530 --> 00:27:48,830
As you know, Prime
Minister Khan was here
810
00:27:48,833 --> 00:27:49,563
just recently.
811
00:27:49,567 --> 00:27:52,107
And I was with - I'm
going to be with
812
00:27:52,103 --> 00:27:54,403
Prime Minister Modi.
813
00:27:54,406 --> 00:27:57,976
I'll be with him over
the weekend in France.
814
00:27:57,976 --> 00:28:00,116
So, you know, I think
we're helping
815
00:28:00,111 --> 00:28:01,611
the situation.
816
00:28:01,613 --> 00:28:05,583
But there's tremendous
problems between those two
817
00:28:05,583 --> 00:28:06,723
countries, as you know.
818
00:28:06,718 --> 00:28:09,718
And I will do the best
I can to mediate
819
00:28:09,721 --> 00:28:11,291
or do something.
820
00:28:11,289 --> 00:28:13,559
Great relationship with
both of them, but they
821
00:28:13,558 --> 00:28:16,558
are not exactly friends
at this moment.
822
00:28:16,561 --> 00:28:17,801
Complicated situation.
823
00:28:17,796 --> 00:28:19,966
A lot has to do
with religion.
824
00:28:19,964 --> 00:28:21,734
Religion is a
complicated subject.
825
00:28:21,733 --> 00:28:24,373
The Press: On Israel,
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar,
826
00:28:24,369 --> 00:28:26,839
yesterday, said that the
United States should
827
00:28:26,838 --> 00:28:29,938
rethink its policy of aid
toward Israel after she
828
00:28:29,941 --> 00:28:32,681
and Congresswomen Tlaib
were denied entry.
829
00:28:32,677 --> 00:28:35,647
Congresswomen Tlaib was
later allowed to come in,
830
00:28:35,647 --> 00:28:36,917
but she decided not to.
831
00:28:36,915 --> 00:28:38,685
Should there be
any change in U.S.
832
00:28:38,683 --> 00:28:39,483
aid to Israel?
833
00:28:39,484 --> 00:28:40,154
President Trump: No.
834
00:28:40,151 --> 00:28:43,151
And you should see the
horrible things that Tlaib
835
00:28:43,154 --> 00:28:47,024
has said about Israel,
and "AOC plus three."
836
00:28:47,025 --> 00:28:47,995
That's what I call it.
837
00:28:47,992 --> 00:28:50,892
"AOC" - just take
"AOC plus three."
838
00:28:50,895 --> 00:28:54,765
And you should see the
things that the four
839
00:28:54,766 --> 00:28:58,936
of them have said about
Israel over the last
840
00:28:58,937 --> 00:29:00,537
couple of years.
841
00:29:00,538 --> 00:29:02,608
I mean, Omar is a disaster
for Jewish people.
842
00:29:02,607 --> 00:29:03,947
I can't imagine, if she
has any Jewish people in
843
00:29:03,942 --> 00:29:05,272
her district, that they
could possibly vote
844
00:29:05,276 --> 00:29:05,946
for her.
845
00:29:05,944 --> 00:29:07,314
But what Omar has said,
what Tlaib has said.
846
00:29:07,312 --> 00:29:08,642
And then, yesterday, I
noticed for the first
847
00:29:08,646 --> 00:29:09,316
time, Tlaib
with the tears.
848
00:29:09,314 --> 00:29:10,644
All of a sudden, she
starts with tears.
849
00:29:10,648 --> 00:29:11,318
Tears.
850
00:29:11,316 --> 00:29:11,986
And I don't buy it.
851
00:29:11,983 --> 00:29:12,653
I don't buy it.
852
00:29:12,650 --> 00:29:16,120
I don't buy it for a
second because I've seen
853
00:29:16,121 --> 00:29:21,131
her in a very vicious mood
at campaign rallies - my
854
00:29:32,003 --> 00:29:35,843
campaign rallies - before
she was a congresswoman.
855
00:29:35,840 --> 00:29:38,440
I said, "Who is that?"
856
00:29:38,443 --> 00:29:42,683
And I saw a woman that was
violent and vicious and
857
00:29:42,680 --> 00:29:43,520
out of control.
858
00:29:43,515 --> 00:29:48,285
And all of a sudden, I see
this person who's crying
859
00:29:48,286 --> 00:29:49,626
because she can't
see her grandmother.
860
00:29:49,621 --> 00:29:50,651
She can see her
grandmother.
861
00:29:50,655 --> 00:29:52,295
They have her permission
to see her grandmother,
862
00:29:52,290 --> 00:29:54,930
but she grandstanded and
she didn't want to do it.
863
00:29:54,926 --> 00:29:56,366
So, that's a
decision of Israel.
864
00:29:56,361 --> 00:29:57,931
That's not - a lot of
people are saying that
865
00:29:57,929 --> 00:29:59,199
was my decision.
866
00:29:59,197 --> 00:30:02,867
That's a decision
of - of Israel.
867
00:30:02,867 --> 00:30:06,437
They can let them in if
they want, but I don't
868
00:30:06,437 --> 00:30:07,507
think they want to.
869
00:30:07,505 --> 00:30:09,575
When you read the things
that they've said about
870
00:30:09,574 --> 00:30:10,604
Israel - how bad.
871
00:30:10,608 --> 00:30:12,448
And if you look at their
itinerary before they
872
00:30:12,443 --> 00:30:14,913
found out - you take a
look at their itinerary,
873
00:30:14,913 --> 00:30:16,753
that was all going to be
a propaganda tour
874
00:30:16,748 --> 00:30:17,818
against Israel.
875
00:30:17,815 --> 00:30:20,385
So, I don't blame Israel
for doing what they did.
876
00:30:20,385 --> 00:30:21,555
I have nothing
to do with it.
877
00:30:21,553 --> 00:30:24,323
But I don't blame them
for doing what they did.
878
00:30:24,322 --> 00:30:26,462
I think it would've been
very bad to let them in,
879
00:30:26,457 --> 00:30:28,927
including the four - I'm
talking about all four -
880
00:30:28,927 --> 00:30:33,697
but these two that wanted
to get in: Omar and Tlaib.
881
00:30:33,698 --> 00:30:35,568
And I think it would be a
very bad thing for Israel,
882
00:30:35,567 --> 00:30:37,637
but Israel has to do
what they want to do.
883
00:30:37,635 --> 00:30:39,905
But I would not cut
off aid to Israel.
884
00:30:39,904 --> 00:30:41,444
And I can't even believe
that we're having
885
00:30:41,439 --> 00:30:43,209
this conversation.
886
00:30:43,208 --> 00:30:45,778
Five years ago, the
concept of even talking
887
00:30:45,777 --> 00:30:49,677
about this - even three
years ago - of cutting off
888
00:30:49,681 --> 00:30:51,881
aid to Israel because
of two people that hate
889
00:30:51,883 --> 00:30:55,923
Israel and hate Jewish
people - I can't believe
890
00:30:55,920 --> 00:30:58,590
we're even having
this conversation.
891
00:30:58,590 --> 00:31:00,790
Where has the
Democratic Party gone?
892
00:31:00,792 --> 00:31:03,862
Where have they gone where
they're defending these
893
00:31:03,861 --> 00:31:07,461
two people over the
State of Israel?
894
00:31:07,465 --> 00:31:10,335
And I think any Jewish
people that vote for a
895
00:31:10,335 --> 00:31:14,875
Democrat, I think it shows
either a total lack
896
00:31:14,872 --> 00:31:17,512
of knowledge or
great disloyalty.
897
00:31:17,508 --> 00:31:18,108
All right?
898
00:31:18,109 --> 00:31:19,009
Thank you very
much everybody.