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President Donald Trump Delivers Remarks On The United States- Mexico-Canda-Agreement. Aired 12-12:30p ET

Aired October 01, 2018 - 12:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[12:00:00] DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: And just that fact makes it good for us, but this is good for all three.

But this is a much different deal than NAFTA. And this is much more of a reciprocal deal for the United States, which is really good.

Yes, go ahead, Peter.

QUESTION: Are you (inaudible) Kavanaugh briefings as well?

TRUMP: No, why don't you just -- we'll do the Kavanaugh questions. I mean, you talk about being treated harshly. We'll do that in a couple. Let's finish up trade because you have a lot of people who want to run over to the Wall Street Journal and start writing.

Go ahead, please.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE) Mexican journalist.

TRUMP: I can't hear you.

QUESTION: Will you take one from a Mexican journalist?

TRUMP: A Mexican journalist? Go ahead, sure.

QUESTION: Yes. It's -- so you're going to keep the tariffs on steel and aluminum on Mexico and Canada?

TRUMP: Until such time as we can do something that would be different, like quotas perhaps, so that our industry is protected. We're not going to allow our steel industry to disappear.

It was almost gone. I'll tell you what, if our country kept going the way it was going, within two years you wouldn't have had a steel industry. We have to have a steel industry. We have to have an aluminum. You know, there are certain industries important.

So we are working on that now. That wasn't part of this. But we will do something.

And, in fact, Bob, if you want you may want to say a couple of words about that because we were literally talking about that one hour ago.

LIGHTHIZER: Great. Thank you, Mr. President. I guess I would say, first of all, they're two separate things as far as we're concerned. We know that there are grave interests to both countries.

We are engaging in talks now with an effort to try to preserve the effect of our program and still take care of their needs. And hopefully we'll be able to work that out. But we are in communication with them.

TRUMP: And really take care of the needs of our steel companies. I don't want plants closing.

They're hiring thousands of workers all over the country. I'm not giving that up.

QUESTION: But you get assurances to President-elect Lopez Obrador that...

TRUMP: Yes.

QUESTION: ... he's going to keep his word on this (inaudible)?

TRUMP: Oh yes, we have a very good understanding, yes. Really good.

Yes, sir. Go ahead, please.

QUESTION: Hi, Mr. President.

Just hoping you can just reiterate on the tariffs, what specifically would it take for Canada or Mexico to be exempt from these tariffs?

And secondly, did you consider diary the deal-breaker...

TRUMP: Yeah.

QUESTION: ... when it came to Canada?

TRUMP: Dairy was a deal-breaker. And now for our farmers it's, as you know, substantially opened up much more.

And I know they can't open it completely. They have farmers also. You know, they can't be overrun. And I fully -- and I tell them that. I say, "Look, I understand you have limits." But they could do much better.

And we've opened it up to our farmers, so the folks up in Wisconsin -- I'll tell you what, I went to Wisconsin. I went to Iowa. Joni knows better than anybody, right? And Scott Walker, who I think is a fantastic governor, talks about it all the time that our farmers were not treated properly by Canada.

Now they're going to be treated with respect. They're going to be treated fairly, or as I say, in that reciprocal way. Very important.

Yes, sir. Go ahead.

QUESTION: Thanks, Mr. President.

It seems there was some give-and-take on both sides for this deal. I wonder what, in your view, would be your biggest concession to Canada and why you decided to make that concession.

Number two, if you could dive in a bit more to the -- your thoughts on Justin Trudeau. You talk about tensions. I wonder what -- throughout this process, what you've learned about him and what the state of the relationship is with him today and going forward.

TRUMP: Well, I think my biggest concession would be making the deal, because we are the one that people come and want to take from. I'm talking about every country. And that gives us a tremendous advantage in negotiating that we never used before with past administrations.

We never used it. Every deal we have is a loser -- every deal. You could look at almost every country in the world, almost every country, we have trade deficits. We lose with everybody.

So I think my biggest concession was making the deal, because we could have done it a different way. But it would have been nasty, and it wouldn't have been nice, and I don't want to have that.

We have a great relationship with Canada. I think now, it'll be better than ever.

All -- the only problem with Justin is he loves his people, and he's, you know, fighting hard for his people. I think we -- you know, we've always had, actually, a very good relationship. It get a little -- got a little bit testy in the last couple of months, but that was over this agreement, and I understand that.

But no, I think -- I think Justin's a good person who's doing a good job. He -- he felt very committed to his people, and that's what he did.

And again, this is -- this is good for everybody. This is good for Canada, good for Mexico, also.

Yes? Yes, please? Please, go ahead.

QUESTION: Thank you, Mr. President.

As you mentioned, you're going to be signing this agreement, and your counterparts are going to be signing this agreement...

TRUMP: Right.

QUESTION: ... within the next 60 days.

TRUMP: Right.

QUESTION: Then it's up to Congress.

TRUMP: Right.

[12:05:00] QUESTION: You're very confident. I get that. You're a confident guy.

TRUMP: Not at all confident. I'm not. I don't know. Hey, Congress...

(CROSSTALK)

QUESTION: Well, explain to me why you think that if it's (inaudible)...

TRUMP: You tell me. You guys going to sign it? Tell me. I think -- I think they will.

QUESTION: If Congress is controlled by Democrats...

TRUMP: Could happen. Could be.

QUESTION: It could happen.

TRUMP: So they're willing to throw...

QUESTION: (inaudible) their prospects.

TRUMP: Yeah. They might be willing to throw one of the great deals for people and the workers. They may be willing to do that for political purpose -- you know, people or political purposes. Because, frankly, you know, they'll have 2020 in mind. So far, I dream about 2020 when I look at what's going -- they have 2020 in mind.

They want to -- they want to do as well as they can, and so trying to reject even great deals -- like, this is a great deal for our country, great for other countries. But it's a great deal for our country, and great for our workers.

I can't tell you whether or not they will obstruct, whether or not they will resist. I mean, their whole campaign is resist. I see their signs all -- "Resist." They don't even know what they're resisting. If you ask them, "What are you resisting?" "Well, let me think about that." They can't ask.

They had somebody on this weekend. They said, "What are you resisting?" And they were unable to answer the question.

So, you know, I -- I can't tell you about delay, obstruct, resist. Because you know, right after this election -- and I think we're going to do well, although history is not on our side. I guess in history, generally, whoever has the White House doesn't do well in mid-terms.

But -- but the one difference is, we have the greatest economy in the history of our country. I think that's a big difference.

And that's one of our problems, too, because people that went out and voted for me -- and they would be voting for me, if I was on the ticket, but I'm not on the ticket. But Congress is on the ticket, and I try and tell my people, "That's the same thing as me, in a sense." That's the same thing. Think of it as the same thing as me.

But I think we're going to do well. I actually think -- I mean, we have Senate races that weren't even in play six months ago. When I started looking at it closely, I won't mention names, but there were senators that were not in play. They were not even -- and you know exactly what I'm talking about -- numerous of them. They were not in play. In other words, let's not go here. Let's not go to this state. Four, five states. Now, it's -- they're -- they're like even races. In one case, they're up two points.

TRUMP: Now, who knows what happens? And, you know, as you know, there are a lot of them that are repression polls or polls that aren't very accurate, because I see polls that I know are false having to do with certain of the races.

But we had areas and we had congressional seats, too, where I know it's going to be a positive outcome. But you look at what's going on, and it doesn't seem to be broadcast that way.

But I certainly had that with my election. They were telling me I was, you know, in trouble in certain states, and I end up winning in a grand -- like in a landslide. And I knew I was going to win them in a landslide, but they wouldn't report it that way. You know why? Fake news.

OK. Right behind you...

QUESTION: One last thing, Mr. President.

TRUMP: Yes, right behind you, please.

QUESTION: Do you believe that the trade agreement will be a major issue in the midterm elections?

TRUMP: Well, it shouldn't be. Look, it's a good agreement.

These people -- you know, when I first did it, they said, "Oh, why don't you just extend NAFTA?" They have no idea about business. "Just extend NAFTA." That would've been a disaster. We're losing $100 billion a year in deficits, at least -- at least, to Mexico, under NAFTA.

But just look at the results -- and a substantial amount to count it all, although, a lot of people try and say it's pretty much even. It's not even. We're losing a substantial amount.

So, you know, I think it's a very hard thing to defend, but that's all right.

Look, I understand the world of politics, I think, as well as anybody. I haven't been doing it that long, but I actually have been because I've been doing it on the other side. And I do understand. And, you know, they can take the greatest thing ever done and try to make it sound as bad as possible.

But this one's tough. This one -- people are coming out for this one and saying, "That's incredible," what we've been able to do.

Yes, behind you, please. QUESTION: Thank you, Mr. President.

Now that you've answered several questions on trade, I'd like to turn to Judge Kavanaugh.

TRUMP: Don't -- don't -- don't do that. Don't do...

QUESTION: Mr. President...

TRUMP: Do you have -- do you have -- excuse me. Do you have a question on trade? We'll do one or two more questions on trade.

QUESTION: You answered several questions on trade...

TRUMP: OK, don't do that. That's not nice. And besides...

QUESTION: Mr. President, you said...

TRUMP: ... somebody is before you. Excuse me, don't do that. Do you have a question on trade?

QUESTION: You answered several questions on trade.

TRUMP: Do you have a question on trade?

QUESTION: My question is on Judge Kavanaugh.

TRUMP: OK, please -- yes, please.

QUESTION: You said the FBI should interview whoever that they believe is appropriate. Does that include Julie Swetnick, the third accuser?

And then can you promise to release the full findings...

TRUMP: Give me your question, please.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE) from the FBI after they finish their report, Mr. President?

TRUMP: Give me your question, please.

QUESTION: Mr. President...

TRUMP: Give her the mic, please.

QUESTION: Thank you very much.

Was border security or funding...

TRUMP: Yes.

QUESTION: ... for the wall discussed in the negotiation, and who will pay for the wall?

TRUMP: Yes, yes. The wall -- we're getting $1.6 billion for the wall this year. We got $1.6 billion, $1.6 billion. We have about $3.2 billion in the wall.

We're doing a lot of work, people don't realize. I don't really want to talk about it because I could build it quickly, at one time, which is what I want.

QUESTION: But...

[12:10:00] TRUMP: But we've been building it over the last year and a half, with $3.2 billion -- $1.6 billion, $1.6 billion, that we now have another $1.6 billion.

And I've got a big decision to make after the election, as to whether or not we go forward. Because you know what? Border security to the people of our country, very important.

The wall is a big factor in border security. And I really believe that the people of our country, they want the wall and they want border security. They don't want open borders like the Democrats want to have. They don't want crime pouring into our country. They don't want MS-13 pouring into our country. They don't want that.

And I really think I have a very big decision to make sometime right after the election, very quickly, because you know what comes due after the election.

Do I want to do it before the election? Personally, yes. But I don't want to do that for a different reason, because I have some very fine people that are running in close races, and it may affect them and it may not. It may be good for them. I happen to think it would be good for them.

But border security for our country -- our want people want security. The women of our country, they want security. They don't want to have thousands of people pouring across the border.

And I'll tell you what: They want to have ICE, because ICE walks into MS-13 and these gangs, and they treat them like it's just another day in the office. They're rough and they're tough and they love our country.

And I'm treating ICE good, and I'm treating our law enforcement good. And the Democrats don't want to take care of our law enforcement. And the Democrats don't want to take care of our military.

So we are going to have a decision to make sometime right after -- very close to after the election is over, and that will be on border security -- and the wall, but border security. The wall's a big factor.

OK, you want to do some questions?

(CROSSTALK)

QUESTION: Well, was that part of the -- but was that part of the conversation and the negotiation that just took place? TRUMP: Yes, it was. Yes, we talked about it. With Mexico, we talked about it. It was a big part, and certain things and certain understandings are had.

At the same time, we don't want to mix it up too much. It's a very big deal and a very good deal for everybody. But border security and security generally is a very big factor.

We also have drugs sometimes, and some people would say it's a very similar thing. But we talked about drugs with Mexico. That's a very, very big factor. Very, very big. We have a lot of good understandings and we'll be discussing that with them.

QUESTION: Thank you, Mr. President.

TRUMP: OK, but it was a factor, absolutely and -- in the deal. OK, let's go, come on. You want to, I guess, get off trade, I don't know, people are falling asleep with trade. I think it's -- to me it's the most exciting thing you can talk about, right?

Joni, right?

(APPLAUSE)

All right, let's go. Come on.

QUESTION: Thank you, Mr. President.

In a tweet this weekend, you said it's incorrect to say that you're limiting the scope of the FBI investigation into Judge Kavanaugh, but your own statement on Friday made it very clear: You said this investigation must be limited in scope.

So which is it? Is there...

TRUMP: Well no, I didn't say anything on Friday.

What I said is let the Senate decide; whatever they want to do is OK with me. And also the FBI. I think the FBI should do what they have to do to get to the answer.

At the same time, just so we all understand, this is our seventh investigation of a man who has really -- you know, you look at his life until this happened, what a -- what a change he's gone through, what his family's gone through. The trauma for a man that's never had any accusation, any -- he's never had a bad statement about him. He's led -- I mean, I think he was number one in his class at Yale, he was number one in his law school at Yale, and then what he's gone through over the last three weeks is incredible.

So I want the FBI -- this is now their seventh investigation, so it's not like they're, you know, just starting. I want them to do a very comprehensive investigation, whatever that means according to the senators and the Republicans and the Republican majority. I want them to do that. I want it to be comprehensive. I actually think it's a good thing for Judge Kavanaugh. I think it's actually a good thing. Not a bad thing, I think it's a good thing.

Now with that being said, I'd like it to go quickly. And the reason I'd like it to go quickly, very simple. It's so simple. Because it's unfair to him at this point. What his wife is going through, what his beautiful children are going through is not describable. It's not describable. It's not fair.

I think it's fair to do it to me, because, you know, I've been going -- from day one, I've been at -- from long before I got to office you've been doing it. It's almost became -- I -- I think for me it's, like, a part of my job description to handle this crap. But as far as -- as far as -- this is a man that this not from his world.

And you know what? If they're not going to want him -- and I think that would be a shame, I'm with him all the way. I mean, a charge made -- was said to have occurred 36 years ago, and nothing happened since then.

[12:15:00]

And look, I feel badly for all parties. I feel badly for everybody. I feel badly for our country. This is so bad for our country.

But I will tell you, I watched those senators on the Democrat side, and I thought it was a disgrace. And partially because I know them. I know them too well. And you know what? They are not angels.

QUESTION: Should Brett Kavanaugh be interviewed by the FBI?

TRUMP: I think so. I think it's fine if they do. I don't know. That's up to them.

I think that he spoke very conclusively and very well.

I think it's been a very rough period of time. I guarantee he's never had a period of time like this.

When he was chosen, everybody said, "Oh, this is going to go so quickly." Look, people thought, 10 years ago, that Brett Kavanaugh was going to be a Supreme Court justice, because of his intellect, because of his career, because of the fact that there are no games.

[12:20:00]

You know, now they talk about alcohol. They talk about all of the things that you hear. And frankly, you take a look at -- they're bringing up subjects -- we would know about this over the last 20 years, 30 years of his career. You know, what happened? They're going back to high school, and they're saying he drank a lot one evening in high school.

We -- you know, I'll tell you what. I happen to know some United States senators -- one who is, on the other side, who's pretty aggressive. I've seen that person in very bad situations, OK. I've seen that person in very, very bad situations; somewhat comprising.

And, you know, I think it's very unfair to bring up things like this. However, whatever the senators want is OK with me. They're going to be making a decision. Whatever they want is OK with me.

Go ahead.

QUESTION: (Inaudible).

TRUMP: That's enough, Peter. Go, please.

QUESTION: What do you mean by "this crap" (ph)? (OFF-MIKE) for clarity, sir?

TRUMP: Say it.

QUESTION; You said, "this crap," when you referred -- "I've been dealing with this crap for years," what did you mean...

TRUMP: Oh, I think the press has treated me unbelievably unfairly. In fact, what I want -- I said the good thing is, "Now the press finally gets it. Now they'll finally treat me fairly." They got worse. They're worse now than ever. They're loco. But that's OK. I put up with it.

Go ahead.

QUESTION: Thank you, Mr. President.

TRUMP: I use that word because of the fact that we made a deal with Mexico, so.

No, no, please, sit down.

Go ahead.

QUESTION: Thank you, Mr. President, for going back to me. I...

TRUMP: You're going to be next. You're going to be next.

QUESTION: Sorry, I didn't know. I thought you were talking (ph).

TRUMP: Go ahead.

QUESTION: I have two questions about Judge Kavanaugh.

First, they are now concerns that he may have lied or mischaracterized his drinking while testifying. If they find that he did, do you think that bars him from being your Supreme Court nominee?

TRUMP: Well, I've -- I watched him. I was surprised at how vocal he was about the fact that he likes beer. And he's had a little bit of difficulty. I mean, he talked about things that happened when he drank. I mean, this is not a man that said that alcohol was -- that he was perfect with respect to alcohol. No, I thought he was actually -- going back so many years, I thought he was excellent. The interesting thing is, though, nobody asked him about what's happened in the last 25 years, 30 years, during his professional career. Because I -- there were no bad reports. I mean, there are bad reports on everybody in here. Most of the people sitting down, there are bad -- except for Mike Pence, by the way.

(LAUGHTER)

And if we find one on him, then I'm -- I think that's -- that's going to be -- that'll be the greatest shock of all time.

No, there are bad reports on everybody. I'm looking at people. I'm, sort of -- look at some of these people asking the questions, OK.

Look at Blumenthal, he lied about Vietnam. He didn't just say, "Hey, I went to Vietnam." No, no. For 15 years, he said he was a war hero. He fought in Da Nang Province. We call him "Da Nang Richard." "Da Nang," that's his nickname, "Da Nang." He never went to Vietnam. And he's up there saying, "We need honesty, and we need integrity."

This guy lied when he was the attorney general of Connecticut. He lied. I don't mean a little bit. And then when he got out -- he actually dropped out the race and he won anyway, because Democrats always win in Connecticut. He won very close, probably the closest ever.

But here's a guy that lied, and now he's up there talking like he's holier than thou. You know what? Take a look at his record.

And when he got out and when he apologized, he was crying, the tears were all over the place, and now he acts like, "How dare you."

Take a look at the judge, who has led an exemplary life. I mean, you're going back to high school because he had beer? I think the judge has been pretty amazing about describing his situation with alcohol and with beer.

I mean, take a look at Cory Booker. He ran Newark, New Jersey, into the ground, he was a horrible mayor, and he made statements that when he was in high school or college, what he was doing -- he actually made the statements. And now he's talking about Judge Kavanaugh.

And I could go through a whole list of them, OK? Look at Dianne Feinstein.

QUESTION: So...

TRUMP: You're telling me about time. Dianne Feinstein knew about this two months earlier. If she wanted a -- a really thorough investigation, we had all the time in the world. She didn't have to wait until after the hearing was closed, essentially. She should have said, "Listen, I have a problem. I have this report. I'd like the FBI to look at it while we're doing the hearings."

We had two months. No, she didn't do that. She waited until we were closed and then she probably leaked it, but, you know, who am I to say? But she probably leaked it based on her very bad body language the other day.

[12:25:00]

But more importantly, in a sense, for her to have waited that period of time and now for you Democrats -- and I guess I'm including you too, the media, right? I consider you a part of the Democrat Party.

But for you -- for the Democrats to be talking about, "We want more time for the FBI," if you wanted more time for the FBI, why didn't Dianne Feinstein bring this up?

Now, you know that she showed this to other Democrats. She's not the only one. She showed this to other Democrats. There were more than just her that knew about this big confidential thing.

It was confidential until the hearing was over. After the hearing was over, they went public.

Why didn't they do it during the hearing, and we could have had all the time in the world? You know why? Because they're dishonest people.

OK, yes, please.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE) you didn't answer my question, Mr. President.

QUESTION: Mr. President -- Mr. President.

TRUMP: Go ahead.

QUESTION: You didn't answer my question, Mr. President.

So if he did lie about his drinking, does that mean you'll pull his nomination?

TRUMP: I don't think he did.

QUESTION: OK.

TRUMP: I -- look, here's -- here's what -- I'm just saying, I'm not a drinker. I can honestly say I never had a beer in my life, OK?

QUESTION: Right.

TRUMP: It's one of my only good traits. I don't drink.

(LAUGHTER)

Whenever they're looking for something, I'm going to say, "I never had a glass of alcohol." I've never had alcohol. I've just -- you know, for whatever reason. Can you imagine if I had what a mess I'd be? Would I be the -- I'd be the world's worst.

But I never drank. I never drank, OK?

QUESTION: Well... TRUMP: But I can tell you, I watched that hearing and I watched a man saying that he did have difficulty as a young man with drink. The one question I didn't ask is how about the last 20 years? Have you had difficulty the last 20 years? Because nobody said anything bad about him in many, many years.

They go back to high school. You know, I graduated from high school, and -- and I -- while I did not drink, I saw a lot of people drinking. They'd drink beer and they'd go crazy and, you know, they were high school. They were 16, 17 years old, and I saw a lot of it. Does that mean that they can't do something that they want to do with their life?

So it's a very tough thing.

I -- I really believe that he was very strong on the fact that he drank a lot and -- so I don't know where there'd be big discrepancy.

Yes, go ahead, please.

QUESTION: OK, so -- so just to wrap up, can you promise to release the FBI's report...

(CROSSTALK)

TRUMP: You know what? You've really had enough. Hey, you've had enough.

Go ahead, please.

QUESTION: Thanks, Mr. President.

Judge Kavanaugh said he was being targeted by Democrats. Has he made the process overly political? And how can you assure the American people that he'll be able to deliver impartial decisions?

TRUMP: Well, you'll have to ask him that question. But I can tell you, he's been treated horribly.

QUESTION: But how does that affect his judicial judgment?

TRUMP: He's a good man. He's a good man with a great family. I think he's been treated horribly.

Lindsey Graham was, I thought, terrific the other day. And he brought up one point that is now being discussed by a lot of people, and that's, who is going to want to run for office, be in office, take an appointment of, not just Supreme Court, but, you know, many, many positions?

I have right now 360 people that aren't being approved. They're very qualified. Nobody says they're not qualified, but Senator Schumer's not approving them because of resist and obstruct.

It's much longer than ever in the history of our country; like, I think, double the time, almost. It's far more people than anybody in the history of our country. Most of those people are routine approvals. These are people that gave up jobs. They gave up their life to come and serve our country, and Schumer and his group won't approve them. They're slow-walking them. Everything is going at 30 hours, meaning they take them out 30 hours. Person that's going to be approved -- it's a disgrace.

So when the judge brings up whether it's politics or not, I don't know. You'd have to ask him. But I can say this: He's been treated really, really horribly.

QUESTION: But are you concerned it will color (inaudible)...

TRUMP: Please, go ahead.

I'm not concerned, no, no.

You know what I'm concerned? That we get great, great people on the U.S. Supreme Court. That's what I'm concerned. And I want to have great people, and I don't want to have to call people for any court, and have them say, "Sir, it's such a great honor, but no thank you. I just can't do it. I just can't do it." That'd be a sad day for our country.

And we're going to come close to that, because I know people now that say, "I don't know how he does it. I don't know why he would have taken it." Nobody knew a thing like this could have happened.

When -- when Justice -- now-Justice Gorsuch got approved, it was rough, but it was nothing like -- what they're doing to this man, and what they're coming up with. And in many cases, fabricated, because as you know, many stories were pulled back, and certain stories were pulled back that were horrible.

What they're doing to this man and his family is very, very sad, and very bad for our nation.

Yes?

QUESTION: Mr. President, you just said some senators are not angels, and you've seen some of them in very...

TRUMP: I would say some of them, yes.

QUESTION: ... compromising situations.

TRUMP: Yes.

QUESTION: Could you tell us who, and exactly what situation you've seen them in?

(LAUGHTER)

TRUMP: No, no, I think I'll save it for a book, like everybody else, and I'll write it, OK?

(LAUGHTER) I'm not giving it to you.

Yeah, please, go ahead.

[12:30:00]