President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate and Appoint Personnel to Key Administration Posts

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 20, 2019 President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate and Appoint Personnel to Key Administration Posts Today, President Donald J. Trump announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key positions in his Administration: Brian Callanan of New Jersey, to be the General Counsel of the Department of the Treasury Mr. Callanan has broad legal experience that spans all three branches of government and private practice.  He is currently Deputy General Counsel for the Department of the Treasury and previously served as the Department’s Acting General Counsel.  As a lawyer in private practice in Washington, D.C., he focused on appellate and regulatory litigation as well as government investigations.  Mr. Callanan also served in senior positions in the United States Senate, including Staff Director and General Counsel of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, and as General Counsel to Senator Rob Portman.  He currently serves as a Government member of the Administrative Conference of the United States, and he previously co-chaired the Rulemaking Committee of the American Bar Association’s administrative law section.  A graduate of Harvard Law School and Claremont McKenna College, Mr. Callanan clerked for Judge A. Raymond Randolph of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Brent James McIntosh of Michigan, to be an Under Secretary of the Department of the Treasury for International Markets and Development Mr. McIntosh is currently the General Counsel for the Department of the Treasury, where he leads the Treasury Legal Division.  Prior to his Senate confirmation, he was a partner in the law firm of Sullivan & Cromwell.  From 2006 until 2009, he served in the White House, first as Associate Counsel to the President and then as Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Staff Secretary.  Previously, he was a Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Policy and a law clerk to Judges Dennis Jacobs of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and Laurence H. Silberman of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.  He was born and raised in Michigan and earned degrees from the University of Michigan and Yale Law School.    ---   Today, President Donald J. Trump announced his intent to appoint the following individual to a key position in his Administration: Ray W. Washburne of Texas, to be a Member of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board.

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 20, 2019 President Donald J. Trump Approves Missouri Disaster Declaration   Today, President Donald J. Trump declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Missouri and ordered Federal assistance to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding from March 11 to April 16, 2019. Federal funding is available to State, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding in the counties of Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Carroll, Chariton, Holt, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Perry, Platte, Ray, and Ste. Genevieve. Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide. Pete Gaynor, Acting Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Seamus K. Leary as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the State and warranted by the results of further damage assessments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT THE FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@FEMA.DHS.GOV.

National Maritime Day, 2019 - A Proclamation By the President of the United States of America

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 20, 2019 National Maritime Day, 2019 - - - - - - - By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation        On National Maritime Day, we honor the men and women who, throughout our history, have served with professionalism, dedication, and patriotism in the United States Merchant Marine.  We recognize these seafaring merchant mariners for helping to fuel our economy, maintain our sea power, and support our national security.      Merchant mariners extend goodwill into all parts of the world, serving as a peaceful United States presence on international waterways.  Today, American mariners facilitate the import and export of billions of dollars of goods, including fuel, agricultural products, and raw materials through the Marine Transportation System.  They are also among the first to respond to help their fellow citizens in the wake of national disasters.      During times of war, merchant mariners courageously sail into combat zones to provide sealift for the Department of Defense, carrying weapons and supplies to America's fighting forces.  In every conflict, United States citizen mariners have answered the call to duty and risked their lives.  Some have sadly made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.      Because the United States Merchant Marine plays a central role in bringing American goods to market and in bolstering our military readiness abroad, we must encourage more people to pursue career opportunities on America's waterways and the oceans of the world.  For this reason, I recently signed an Executive Order to help veterans of the Armed Forces transition seamlessly into civilian careers in the United States Merchant Marine by allowing them to apply relevant military training and experience toward becoming credentialed merchant mariners.  This will help support a robust, well-equipped, and safe merchant fleet crewed by well-trained mariners.       The Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 20, 1933, has designated May 22 of each year as "National Maritime Day" to commemorate the first transoceanic voyage by a steamship in 1819 by the S.S. Savannah.  By this resolution, the Congress has authorized and requested the President to issue annually a proclamation calling for its appropriate observance.      NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 22, 2019, as National Maritime Day.  I call upon the people of the United States to mark this observance and to display the flag of the United States at their homes and in their communities.  I also request that all ships sailing under the American flag dress ship on that day.      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand nineteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-third.                                 DONALD J. TRUMP ###

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT TRUMP BEFORE MARINE ONE DEPARTURE

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 20, 2019 REMARKS BY PRESIDENT TRUMP BEFORE MARINE ONE DEPARTURE South Lawn   5:51 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT:  Okay, so I'm heading to the great state of Pennsylvania, and we're going to have a rally.  A lot of people are outside, as you probably know.  Many, many people.  And it's going to be a packed house, as it always is.  I don't know if you've ever seen a vacancy for Trump, but I don’t think so.  We're going to have a good time.  I don't know who's coming, but I hope you come.  It'll be a lot of fun. Q    Why are you asking Don McGahn to defy a Congressional subpoena? THE PRESIDENT:  Well, as I understand it, they're doing that for the Office of the Presidency, for future Presidents.  I think it's a very important precedent.  And the attorneys say that they're not doing that for me; they're doing that for the Office of the President.  So we're talking about the future. Yes, go ahead. Q    What's your feeling on Judge Mehta's ruling about your financial records?  And do you plan to appeal? THE PRESIDENT:  Well, we disagree with that ruling.  It's crazy -- because you look at it; this never happened to any other President.  They're trying to get a redo.  They're trying to get what we used to call in school: a deal -- a "do-over."  And if you look, you know, we had no collusion, we had no obstruction.  We had no nothing. The Democrats were very upset with the Mueller report, as perhaps they should be.  But, I mean, the country is very happy about it because there was never anything like that.  And they're trying to get a redo, or a do-over, and you can't do that. As far as the financials are concerned, we think it's the wrong -- it's totally the wrong decision by, obviously, an Obama-appointed judge.  He was a recent Obama-appointed judge.      Q    Mr. President, your reaction to Justin Amash, who says you committed impeachable offenses? THE PRESIDENT:  Well, I've known him, and he's been against Trump from the beginning.  He probably wants to run for some other office.  I don’t think he'll do very well.  He's been a loser for a long time.  Rarely votes for Republicans.  And, you know, personally, I think he's not much. Q    What do you have to say to Americans who feel that your administration is stonewalling all these investigations up on Capitol Hill?  Why not let Don McGahn testify?  Are you afraid of what -- THE PRESIDENT:  I think we've been the most -- Q    -- he has to say? THE PRESIDENT:  Yeah, I think we've been the most transparent administration in the history of our country.  We just went through two years of Bob Mueller, with 18 people that hated Donald Trump.  They were "Angry Democrats," as I called them.  We've been through it for two years, and they spent almost $40 million on it.  We had, I think, 500 people testified.  We had 1.4 or 1.5 million documents. At the end of all of that, he said there's no collusion.  Now what happens is the Democrats want a re-do, and we've had enough, and the country has had enough.  There has never been, ever before, an administration that's been so open and transparent. So we want to get on.  What we want to do is get on with running the country. Q    Can you clarify your position specifically on the Alabama abortion law?  And do you think it goes too far? THE PRESIDENT:  Well, I put out my position on the -- on abortion.  You've known it for a long time.  But I put it out the other day.  You have it.  I feel strongly about it.  And all of that is working its way through court, along with the fact that the Democrats are talking about third term and they're really talking about beyond third term, and that's a terrible thing.      Q    What's going on with Iran?  Are you worried about a war there?  Or do you want negotiations or what?        THE PRESIDENT:  So, with Iran, we'll see what happens.  But they've been very hostile.  They've truly been the number-one provocateur of terror in this country and in the -- you know, representing their country.  But certainly, our country has been very much involved because we're trying to help a lot of people out.  And I don't mind that at all.      We have no indication that anything has happened or will happen.  But if it does, it will be met, obviously, with great force.  We'll have no choice.      Q    (Inaudible) negotiations with them?  Any talks with them?      THE PRESIDENT:  Say it?      Q    Any negotiations with Iran?      THE PRESIDENT:  We have not -- we've not talked about it.  We'll see what happens.  If they called, we would certainly negotiate.  But that's going to be up to them.  I'd only want them to call if they're ready.  If they're not ready, they don't have to bother.      Q    Will you continue to apply economic sanctions to Iran?  Or are you going to pause it to try and deescalate tensions right now?      THE PRESIDENT:  Well, we'll see what happens.  But right now, we have very strong sanctions.  We'll see what happens.      Q    The polls have you losing in Pennsylvania to several Democrats --      THE PRESIDENT:  I don't know.  I think we're doing very well in Pennsylvania.  We won it last time.  The polls had us losing Pennsylvania last time, and we won.  And I expect we'll win it this time because the coal industry, the steel industry, the car industry -- they're all doing incredibly well.      Pennsylvania now has the best employment they've ever had -- the best employment record.  More people working in Pennsylvania now than ever before, like, in our country.  So I think we'll do very well in Pennsylvania.      Q    Will you appeal the judge's ruling on the -- on your financial --      THE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.  They'll appeal it.      Q    You will appeal it?  You will --      THE PRESIDENT:  They'll appeal it.  Sure, they'll appeal it.      Q    What about this -- there's another child who has died on the border.  Another child migrant, now five.      THE PRESIDENT:  Well, I know this: that if you look at the border, and if you look at the fact that the Democrats are really making it very, very dangerous for people by not approving simple, quick, 15-minute legislation, we could have it all worked out.  It'd be great for people, great for lives, great for safety. And the border is a dangerous place.  It's only made that way because the Democrats will not approve any legislation.  I mean, they don't want to approve anything.  And it's making the border very dangerous.      Q    What's being done to make sure these kids don't die, though?  What's being done to make sure these kids don't die?       THE PRESIDENT:  Well, we're working very hard.  And I'll tell you, the Border Patrol people and all of law enforcement is working very hard.      I mean, unfortunately, many of them have become doctors and nurses, and they're taking people that are very, very sick from a long trek up -- 2,000 miles -- and they're doing an incredible job.      Honestly, what should happen is the Democrats should sit down and make changes so that we can protect people on the border.      Q    Do you mean there is no -- you don't see anything going on right now from the Iranian side?  Is that what you just said?       THE PRESIDENT:  Say it again?      Q    Did you mean, right now, what you said that --      THE PRESIDENT:  There are no talks going on with Iran.      Q    What Iran might or might not be up to -- do you see any threats right now?  Do you see any threats?        THE PRESIDENT:  I think Iran would be making a very big mistake if they did anything.  If they do something, it'll be met with great force.  But we have no indication that they will.  Okay?      Q    Are you going to approve additional funding for Puerto Rico, for disaster funding, as part of this package?      THE PRESIDENT:  So, I've given more money to Puerto Rico than, I believe, any President ever.      They've gotten $91 billion for the hurricane.  Not only that; our military, our law enforcement, and FEMA has done a great job for Puerto Rico.  And I think the people of Puerto Rico are very thankful. We'll see you in Pennsylvania.                                  END                 5:59 P.M. EDT

1600 Daily The White House • May 20, 2019 America is Finally Writing the Rules on Trade

The White House • May 20, 2019

America is finally writing the rules on trade  President Donald J. Trump delivered a major announcement just before the weekend about our two biggest trading partners. “We’ve just reached an agreement with Canada and Mexico, and we’ll be selling our product into those countries without the imposition of tariffs or major tariffs,” the President said.    Watch: President Trump announces a new trade milestone   The United States has strong relationships with both Canada and Mexico, President Trump said—but that shouldn't stop us from negotiating hard to protect American workers and jobs. Canada, for example, has been “charging us extremely high tariffs, as much as 285 percent or more, for our agricultural products, which is an absolute barrier,” he said. In the past, American Presidents would turn the other cheek on bad trade deals to avoid confrontation or criticism from the mainstream press. But unlike his predecessors, President Trump is focused on results for our farmers and manufacturers—not on praise from the Beltway or global media. The same day he announced that Canada and Mexico would lift their retaliatory tariffs, the Administration also reported that it had successfully negotiated a deal to remove Japan’s longstanding restrictions on American beef exports. All told, these agreements are great news for American farmers. They will continue to protect America’s crucial steel and aluminum industries, too. Friday’s news coincided with a Proclamation from President Trump recognizing World Trade Week, 2019, in which he reflected on the trade principles he promised to the White House:   "The American people see through Chairman Nadler’s desperate ploy to distract from the President’s historically successful agenda and our booming economy. Neither the White House nor Attorney General Barr will comply with Chairman Nadler’s unlawful and reckless demands . . . The American people deserve a Congress that is focused on solving real problems like the crisis at the border, high prescription drug prices, our country’s crumbling infrastructure, and so much more." After decades of politicians putting the global business class ahead of America’s industrial and agricultural heartland, working families finally heard the voice of a President that was willing to fight for them on January 20, 2017. “From this moment on, it’s going to be America First,” President Trump said at his Inauguration. “Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs, will be made to benefit American workers and American families.” America announces deal with Canada and Mexico to lift retaliatory tariffs. Video of the day: Who said it? Years before President Trump took office, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) all but endorsed the type of immigration plan that President Trump unveiled last week. “The current status quo on immigration makes no sense. We turn away people from entering the country who could create thousands of jobs and let people cross our borders who take away jobs,” Sen. Schumer said in 2013. Last week, President Trump unveiled an immigration plan that tackles that very problem—and wouldn’t you believe it, Sen. Schumer immediately rejected it. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) did her part by calling the proposal “dead on arrival.” Where’s the old Chuck Schumer when you need him? Photo of the Day Official White House Photo by D. Myles Cullen Vice President Mike Pence lands on Marine Two at Joint Base Andrews | May 20, 2019

BACKGROUND PRESS CALL BY SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS ON THE VISIT OF THE LEADERS OF THE FREELY ASSOCIATED STATES

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 20, 2019

BACKGROUND PRESS CALL BY SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS ON THE VISIT OF THE LEADERS OF THE FREELY ASSOCIATED STATES Via Teleconference   5:01 P.M. EDT          PRESS OFFICER:  Thank you everybody for joining.  If there’s any follow up or other questions after the call is over, you can feel free to reach out to us at the distro or to me personally.  I’m happy to try to respond to that.      So we have today, with us [senior administration officials] here to do kind of a background call -- a quick background call on the President’s meetings with the leaders of the Freely Associated States tomorrow.  This will be on background, attributed to senior administration officials.      Time is really short for this, so we’ll have a few initial remarks, and then just two questions after that.  So if you’re interested in a question, please get it in now.  Thanks.      SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Great.  Thanks.  So the meeting tomorrow, on Tuesday, with President Trump and the Presidents of the Republic of the Marshall Islands -- that's Hilda Heine; and the Federated States of Micronesia -- that’s newly elected leader David Panuelo; and also Palau -- that’s Tommy Remengesau -- is actually a historic meeting because it’s the first time that a President of the United States has hosted the three Freely Associated States’ Presidents together at the White House.      So President Trump has been directing an unprecedented level of focus on the Pacific Islands, in recognition of the fact that the United States is a Pacific nation, with immutable strategic, economic, cultural and people-to-people links in the islands. This new focus is also evidenced by the high-level visits by American officials to the region, starting with then-Interior Secretary Zinke at the Pacific Islands Forum in 2018.  That was followed up by Vice President Pence’s visit to Papua New Guinea to attend the APEC Forum in November of last year.  Assistant Secretary of Defense Randy Shriver, in December of 2018.  Patrick Murphy, at the State Department, visited earlier this year.  And I also made a trip to the region to visit the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu in March of this year.      So we’ll be sending additional senior delegations to the region, including at the Cabinet level, to Pacific Island states in the coming months.      So with the Freely Associated States, whose leaders will be visiting tomorrow, we have a unique and special partnership with them based on our shared sacrifice in World War II and following the war.  We have compacts of free association with those countries that are unlike any other documents between sovereign states.  The compacts allow for the United States to provide for the security of the Freely Associated States and it also allows the United States unrestricted access to their airspace and waters for defense purposes, and also gives the U.S. the ability to deny access to any other country to those waters.      So the Freely Associated States citizens serve in the U.S. military and among the highest rates of any U.S. state or territory.  They've got several hundreds currently on active duty in the U.S. military who hail from the Freely Associated States.  You have 12 citizens of those states who have died in service to our country in Iraq and in Afghanistan.      And so, President Trump is looking forward to discussing our shared security concerns, including countering the illegal and unregulated and unreported fishing; dealing with transnational crime and trafficking; and also working on the protection of all nations' sovereignty as part of the free and open Indo-Pacific.      We look forward to continuing our assistance to the Freely Associated States and all Pacific Islands in strengthening their resilience against natural disasters, rising sea levels, soil erosion, invasive species, and other threats.      So with that, why don't I pause just for a quick couple of questions.  And I apologize that the time is short today.  We had to shoehorn this in between a couple of key meetings here, including one prepping for this visit.      Q    Hey, it's Steve Holland with Reuters.  To what extent will China come up in these conversations?      SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Yeah, hi, Steve.  You know, it remains to be seen how much the countries want to raise that issue.  I don't think that's really the purpose of these meetings.  It's to talk about our interests in the region, to help these countries understand what the United States is doing to fulfill our longstanding relationship and obligations under our compacts.  It's an opportunity for the President to reassert the importance of the region to our prosperity and to our security as well.      So, I don't see that being much of a topic.      Q    Hi, this is Ben Kesling with the Wall Street Journal.  I got a question about the renegotiation of the compacts that are about to expire in 2023.  Will that be discussed at all with the President?  And is there anything that the U.S. feels like it must get in those negotiations?     SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Yeah, Ben, thanks for the question.  As you're well aware, we are currently funded for the compacts.  We were able to get through, last year, the legislation that ensured that we were meeting our obligations under those compacts.  And we've got a few years ahead before current obligations, or rather, compacts expire. So there's time to delve into the details of the compacts and what we'll be doing moving forward.  But I don’t expect that that will be a major topic of conversation tomorrow, although certainly fine if it does come up. Okay, thanks very much for the questions, folks.  And talk soon.  Thank you.                         END                     5:08 P.M. EDT

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 20, 2019 Presidential Message on Cuban Independence Day   I send my sincere greetings to all those commemorating Cuban Independence Day.  Today is both a cause for celebration and a time to remember and honor the brave men and women who fought in the name of Cuban liberty.  We pay tribute to the many sacrifices of Cuba’s freedom fighters, and we will continue to stand with the people of Cuba as they seek democracy, peace, and freedom. The Cuban people deserve a government that upholds democratic values and promotes economic and religious liberties.  Heroes like Jose Marti and Antonio Maceo gave their last breaths in the cause of securing a government worthy of the Cuban people, one that protects the rights and dignity of its citizens.  Together, we continue to fight for a free and democratic Cuba. To the proud people of Cuba and to Cuban Americans, Melania and I send our warmest wishes as you observe this momentous day.  Let us recommit to achieving a prosperous future for the Cuban people.

ADJUSTING IMPORTS OF STEEL INTO THE UNITED STATES - A PROCLAMATION BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 19, 2019 ADJUSTING IMPORTS OF STEEL INTO THE UNITED STATES - - - - - - - BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION        1.  On January 11, 2018, the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) transmitted to me a report on his investigation into the effect of imports of steel articles on the national security of the United States under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1862).  The Secretary found and advised me of his opinion that steel articles were being imported into the United States in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States.      2.  In Proclamation 9705 of March 8, 2018 (Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States), I concurred in the Secretary's finding that steel articles, as defined in clause 1 of Proclamation 9705, as amended by clause 8 of Proclamation 9711 of March 22, 2018 (Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States), were being imported into the United States in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States, and decided to adjust the imports of these steel articles by imposing a 25 percent ad valorem tariff on such articles imported from most countries.      3.  As stated in the Proclamation dated May 16, 2019 (Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States), the Secretary has now advised me that the domestic industry's capacity utilization has improved to approximately the target level recommended in the Secretary's report.  This target level, if maintained for an appropriate period, will improve the financial viability of the domestic steel industry over the long term.      4.  In Proclamation 9705, I further stated that any country with which we have a security relationship is welcome to discuss with the United States alternative ways to address the threatened impairment of the national security caused by imports from that country, and noted that, should the United States and any such country arrive at a satisfactory alternative means to address the threat to the national security such that I determine that imports from that country no longer threaten to impair the national security, I may remove or modify the restriction on steel articles imports from that country and, if necessary, adjust the tariff as it applies to other countries, as the national security interests of the United States require.      5.  The United States has successfully concluded discussions with Canada and Mexico on satisfactory alternative means to address the threatened impairment of the national security posed by steel articles imports from Canada and Mexico.  The United States has agreed on a range of measures with Canada and Mexico to prevent the importation of steel articles that are unfairly subsidized or sold at dumped prices, to prevent the transshipment of steel articles, and to monitor for and avoid import surges.  These measures are expected to allow imports of steel articles from Canada and Mexico to remain stable at historical levels without meaningful increases, thus permitting the domestic industry's capacity utilization to continue at approximately the target level recommended in the Secretary's report.  In my judgment, these measures will provide effective, long-term alternative means to address the contribution of these countries' imports to the threatened impairment of the national security.      6.  In light of these agreements, I have determined that, under the framework in the agreements, imports of steel articles from Canada and Mexico will no longer threaten to impair the national security, and thus I have decided to exclude Canada and Mexico from the tariff proclaimed in Proclamation 9705, as amended.  The United States will monitor the implementation and effectiveness of these measures in addressing our national security needs, and I may revisit this determination as appropriate.      7.  In light of my determination to exclude, on a long-term basis, Canada and Mexico from the tariff proclaimed in Proclamation 9705, as amended, I have considered whether it is necessary and appropriate in light of our national security interests to make any corresponding adjustments to such tariff as it applies to other countries.  I have determined that, in light of the agreed-upon measures with Canada and Mexico, it is necessary and appropriate, at this time, to maintain the current tariff level as it applies to other countries.      8.  Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, authorizes the President to adjust the imports of an article and its derivatives that are being imported into the United States in such quantities or under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security.      9.  Section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2483), authorizes the President to embody in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) the substance of statutes affecting import treatment, and actions thereunder, including the removal, modification, continuance, or imposition of any rate of duty or other import restriction.      NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, section 301 of title 3, United States Code, and section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, do hereby proclaim as follows:      (1)  Proclamation 9705, as amended, is further amended by revising clause 2 to read as follows:      "(2)(a)  In order to establish certain modifications to the duty rate on imports of steel articles, subchapter III of chapter 99 of the HTSUS is modified as provided in the Annex to this proclamation and any subsequent proclamations regarding such steel articles.      (b)  Except as otherwise provided in this proclamation, or in notices published pursuant to clause 3 of this proclamation, all steel articles imports covered by heading 9903.80.01, in subchapter III of chapter 99 of the HTSUS, shall be subject to an additional 25 percent ad valorem rate of duty with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, as follows:  (i) on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on March 23, 2018, from all countries except Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, South Korea, and the member countries of the European Union; (ii) on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on June 1, 2018, from all countries except Argentina, Australia, Brazil, and South Korea; (iii) on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on August 13, 2018, from all countries except Argentina, Australia, Brazil, South Korea, and Turkey; (iv) on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on May 20, 2019, from all countries except Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, South Korea, and Turkey; and (v) on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on May 21, 2019, from all countries except Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and South Korea.  Further, except as otherwise provided in notices published pursuant to clause 3 of this proclamation, all steel articles imports from Turkey covered by heading 9903.80.02, in subchapter III of chapter 99 of the HTSUS, shall be subject to a 50 percent ad valorem rate of duty with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on August 13, 2018, and prior to 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on May 21, 2019.  All steel articles imports covered by heading 9903.80.61, in subchapter III of chapter 99 of the HTSUS, shall be subject to the additional 25 percent ad valorem rate of duty established herein with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on the date specified in a determination by the Secretary granting relief.  These rates of duty, which are in addition to any other duties, fees, exactions, and charges applicable to such imported steel articles, shall apply to imports of steel articles from each country as specified in the preceding three sentences."      (2)  The "Article description" for heading 9903.80.01, in subchapter III of chapter 99 of the HTSUS, is amended by deleting "of South Korea, of Brazil, of Turkey" and inserting "of Brazil, of Canada, of Mexico, of South Korea, of Turkey".      (3)  The modifications made by clauses 1 and 2 of this proclamation shall be effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on May 20, 2019, and shall continue in effect, unless such actions are expressly reduced, modified, or terminated.      (4)  The Proclamation dated May 16, 2019 (Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States), is amended by revising clause 5 to read as follows:  "The 'Article description' for heading 9903.80.01 in subchapter III of chapter 99 of the HTSUS is amended by replacing 'of South Korea, of Turkey' with 'of South Korea'.".      (5)  Any imports of steel articles from Canada and Mexico that were admitted into a U.S. foreign trade zone under "privileged foreign status" as defined in 19 CFR 146.41, prior to 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on May 20, 2019, shall not be subject upon entry for consumption made after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on May 20, 2019, to the additional 25 percent ad valorem rate of duty as imposed by Proclamation 9705, as amended.      (6)  Any provision of previous proclamations and Executive Orders that is inconsistent with the actions taken in this proclamation is superseded to the extent of such inconsistency.      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this nineteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand nineteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-third.                                 DONALD J. TRUMP

ADJUSTING IMPORTS OF ALUMINUM INTO THE UNITED STATES - A PROCLAMATION BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 19, 2019 ADJUSTING IMPORTS OF ALUMINUM INTO THE UNITED STATES - - - - - - - BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION        1.  On January 19, 2018, the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) transmitted to me a report on his investigation into the effect of imports of aluminum articles on the national security of the United States under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1862).  The Secretary found and advised me of his opinion that aluminum articles were being imported into the United States in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States.      2.  In Proclamation 9704 of March 8, 2018 (Adjusting Imports of Aluminum Into the United States), I concurred in the Secretary's finding that aluminum articles were being imported into the United States in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States, and decided to adjust the imports of aluminum articles, as defined in clause 1 of Proclamation 9704, by imposing a 10 percent ad valorem tariff on such articles imported from most countries.      3.  In Proclamation 9704, I further stated that any country with which we have a security relationship is welcome to discuss with the United States alternative ways to address the threatened impairment of the national security caused by imports from that country, and noted that, should the United States and any such country arrive at a satisfactory alternative means to address the threat to the national security such that I determine that imports from that country no longer threaten to impair the national security, I may remove or modify the restriction on aluminum articles imports from that country and, if necessary, adjust the tariff as it applies to other countries, as the national security interests of the United States require.      4.  The United States has successfully concluded discussions with Canada and Mexico on satisfactory alternative means to address the threatened impairment of the national security posed by aluminum imports from Canada and Mexico.  The United States has agreed on a range of measures with Canada and Mexico to prevent the importation of aluminum that is unfairly subsidized or sold at dumped prices, to prevent the transshipment of aluminum, and to monitor for and avoid import surges.  These measures are expected to allow imports of aluminum from Canada and Mexico to remain stable at historical levels without meaningful increases, thus permitting the domestic capacity utilization to remain reasonably commensurate with the target level recommended in the Secretary's report.  In my judgment, these measures will provide effective, long-term alternative means to address the contribution of these countries' imports to the threatened impairment of the national security.      5.  In light of these agreements, I have determined that, under the framework in the agreements, imports of aluminum from Canada and Mexico will no longer threaten to impair the national security, and thus I have decided to exclude Canada and Mexico from the tariff proclaimed in Proclamation 9704, as amended.  The United States will monitor the implementation and effectiveness of these measures in addressing our national security needs, and I may revisit this determination as appropriate.      6.  In light of my determination to exclude, on a long-term basis, these countries from the tariff proclaimed in Proclamation 9704, as amended, I have considered whether it is necessary and appropriate in light of our national security interests to make any corresponding adjustments to such tariff as it applies to other countries.  I have determined that, in light of the agreed-upon measures with Canada and Mexico, it is necessary and appropriate, at this time, to maintain the current tariff level as it applies to other countries.      7.  Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, authorizes the President to adjust the imports of an article and its derivatives that are being imported into the United States in such quantities or under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security.      8.  Section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2483), authorizes the President to embody in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) the substance of statutes affecting import treatment, and actions thereunder, including the removal, modification, continuance, or imposition of any rate of duty or other import restriction.      NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, section 301 of title 3, United States Code, and section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, do hereby proclaim as follows:      (1)  Clause 2 of Proclamation 9704, as amended, is further amended in the second sentence by deleting the "and" before "(c)" and inserting before the period at the end:  ", and (d) on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on May 20, 2019, from all countries except Argentina, Australia, Canada, and Mexico".      (2)  The "Article description" for heading 9903.85.01, in subchapter III of chapter 99 of the HTSUS, is amended by replacing "of Australia" with "of Australia, of Canada, of Mexico".      (3)  The modifications made by clauses 1 and 2 of this proclamation shall be effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on May 20, 2019, and shall continue in effect, unless such actions are expressly reduced, modified, or terminated.      (4)  Any imports of aluminum articles from Canada and Mexico that were admitted into a U.S. foreign trade zone under "privileged foreign status" as defined in 19 CFR 146.41, prior to 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on May 20, 2019, shall not be subject upon entry for consumption made after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on May 20, 2019, to the additional 10 percent ad valorem rate of duty imposed by Proclamation 9704, as amended.      (5)  Any provision of previous proclamations and Executive Orders that is inconsistent with the actions taken in this proclamation is superseded to the extent of such inconsistency.      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this nineteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand nineteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-third.                                 DONALD J. TRUMP