President Donald Trump’s close relationship with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe didn’t keep him from publicly voicing his concerns with the country’s trade and manufacturing policies during the first leg of his 12-day visit to Asia.
While speaking to U.S. and Japanese business leaders on Monday morning, Trump praised the two countries’ “cherished” relationship and then switched gears, asking top Japanese auto firms to “try building your car in the United States instead of shipping them over” and then immediately claiming his comments weren’t “rude.”
“I also want to recognize the business leaders in the room whose confidence in the United States — they’ve been creating jobs — you have such confidence in the United States, and you’ve been creating jobs for our country for a long, long time,” he said. “Several Japanese automobile industry firms have been really doing a job. And we love it when you build cars — if you’re a Japanese firm, we love it — try building your cars in the United States instead of shipping them over. Is that possible to ask? That’s not rude. Is that rude? I don’t think so.”
He then pointed out the leaders of Toyota and Mazda, shook their hands and thanked them for investing in a new U.S. manufacturing plant, which he said will create “as many as 4,000 new jobs in the United States.”
“That’s big stuff. Congratulations,” he said, promising to give approvals “almost immediately” anytime Japanese auto companies decide they want to build new plants in the U.S.
Earlier in his speech, he congratulated Japan on “winning” for “the last many decades” and said the U.S. would do more trade with Japan than it would have if he had stayed in the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which Trump pulled out of in January.
Meanwhile the TPP negotiations continue to move on - with countries like Japan and China set to take leading roles excluding the US. Because Dotard - who hates details and won’t lift a finger (or brain cell) to learn them - thinks that he can delegate creating individual trade deals (that are Better!!) with each participating country.
One more stage in the international arena on which Donnie has gleefully shoved the US off the platform claiming… “WINNING!!!” Who is in charge of negotiated these agreements?
ForestJared Kushner? Better hurry up before either you throw him under the bus, or Mueller starts filing sealed indictments.Clearly Tramp knows nothing about Japan’s embrace of W Edwards Deming’s TQM principles after WWII. Why would he? It requires learning, thought and the ability to apply theory to actions.
I am so embarrassed to have this man as a so-called president but must admit that the air is fresher, the sun brighter and my mood lifted with him out of the country.
Do we have another Mueller Monday on deck for today?
"Is that possible to ask? That’s not rude. Is that rude? I don’t think so.”
Really?!?! No one willing to at least step up and explain that certain behavior is disrespectful and embarrassing to the U.S. Every day this fool remains in office, the dignity of our Nation suffers.
What a disgraceful embarrassment this ignorant oaf is. Maybe he should try moving all his family’s “Made in China & Mexico” factories back to America as an example, but I’m sure that would be to much to ask of Trump when his true bottom line is personal profit and has nothing to do with the welfare of this nation or its people.
Amen to that! More good news below…