West Wing Reads Boom: Hispanics Lead Housing, Income Surge, Poverty at Record Low

Boom: Hispanics Lead Housing, Income Surge, Poverty at Record Low “Latinos are finding their economic legs under the Trump administration, leading the surge in home ownership and income growth and record low poverty rates, according to two comprehensive new surveys,” Paul Bedard reports in the Washington Examiner. Hispanics “have seen their third consecutive year of income growth and have a higher workplace participation rate . . . Within the next five years, Hispanic median income will triple,” according to the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals. See 7 big trends for Latinos under President Trump. “The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite had their highest closings on record Tuesday, marking a resurgence for the stock market,” Michael Wursthorn and Jessica Menton report for The Wall Street Journal. “The S&P 500 is up 17%, its best kickoff to a year since 1987, while the Nasdaq has gained 22%, its best start since 1991.” “As Lockheed Martin readies production of the F-16 at its new home in Greenville, unexpectedly high demand for the fighter jet has officials saying up to 400 people will be hired for the work,” Anna Mitchell writes for Greenville News. “When we are able to do a ribbon cutting like this, it means great jobs, great wages for this community, but it also strengthens our alliances around the world,” White House Director of Trade and Manufacturing Policy Peter Navarro said. “A massive caravan of approximately 10,000 migrants traveling through Mexico in hopes of reaching the United States is expected to arrive in Mexico City this week, according to local media reports on the group's movements,” Anna Giaritelli reports in the Washington Examiner. “The group has been described by Mexico's Interior Secretary Olga Sanchez Cordero as ‘caravana madre,’ which has been widely referred to as the ‘mother of all caravans’ in American media.” U.S. Border Patrol officials found an abandoned toddler with only a phone number written on his shoes near the U.S.–Mexico border yesterday, Julia Ainsley reports for NBC News. “Rudy Karish, the chief Border Patrol agent in the Rio Grande Valley, said he believes the boy was left by smugglers.”

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 24, 2019 Statement by the President on Armenian Remembrance Day 2019   Today, we commemorate the Meds Yeghern and honor the memory of those who suffered in one of the worst mass atrocities of the 20th century.  Beginning in 1915, one and a half million Armenians were deported, massacred, or marched to their deaths in the final years of the Ottoman Empire.  On this day of remembrance, we again join the Armenian community in America and around the world in mourning the many lives lost. On this day, we also honor and recognize the work of those who tried to end the violence, as well as those who sought to ensure atrocities like this would not be repeated, like human rights activist and lawyer Raphael Lemkin.  We recall the contributions of generous Americans who helped save lives and rebuild Armenian communities.  As we honor the memory of those who suffered, we also draw inspiration from the courage and resiliency of the Armenian people who, in the face of tremendous adversity, built vibrant communities around the world, including in the United States. We pledge to learn from past tragedies so as to not to repeat them.  We welcome the efforts of Armenians and Turks to acknowledge and reckon with their painful history.  And we stand with the Armenian people in recalling the lives lost during the Meds Yeghern and reaffirm our commitment to a more peaceful world.

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 23, 2019 Statement from the Press Secretary Regarding the Administration’s Trade Talks with China   At President Donald J. Trump’s direction, United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin will travel to Beijing for continued negotiations on the trade relationship between the United States and China.  The talks will begin on April 30, 2019.  Vice Premier Liu He will lead the talks for China.   The Vice Premier will then lead a Chinese delegation to Washington for additional discussions starting on May 8, 2019.   The subjects of next week’s discussions will cover trade issues including intellectual property, forced technology transfer, non-tariff barriers, agriculture, services, purchases, and enforcement.

President Donald J. Trump Approves Mississippi Disaster Declaration

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 23, 2019 President Donald J. Trump Approves Mississippi Disaster Declaration   Today, President Donald J. Trump declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Mississippi and ordered Federal assistance to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding from February 22 to March 29, 2019. Federal funding is available to State 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, tornadoes, and flooding in the counties of Calhoun, Chickasaw, Clay, Grenada, Lowndes, Pontotoc, and Tishomingo. 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 Lai Sun Yee as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Damage assessments are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT THE FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@FEMA.DHS.GOV.

1600 Daily The White House • April 23, 2019 Inside look at Ivanka Trump’s 4-day Africa Trip

The White House • April 23, 2019 Inside look at Ivanka Trump’s 4-day Africa trip  Last week, Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump visited Ethiopia and Ivory Coast as part of a major push for women’s economic empowerment across the developing world. Two months ago, the Trump Administration launched the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative, or W-GDP, in a first-of-its-kind move to boost women’s participation and advancement in the global workforce. W-GDP seeks to reach 50 million women in the developing world by 2025. “The economic empowerment of women shouldn’t be viewed as a ‘women’s issue,’” Ms. Trump wrote then. “By investing in women, we are investing in a future in which countries can support themselves by unleashing the potential of their own people.”    Watch: Ivanka Trump’s visit to Ethiopia   In Ethiopia, Ms. Trump addressed female leaders and entrepreneurs at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, where she announced the launch of OPIC 2X Africa. In partnership with the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, this W-GDP initiative will help mobilize $1 billion to support projects led by women in Sub-Saharan Africa. Part two of the trip took her to Ivory Coast, where the U.S. delegation announced a $2 million commitment to women workers in the cocoa industry. The investment will open more doors for female farmers by increasing access to capital and training programs. Ms. Trump met some of these entrepreneurs at a local cocoa farm. Before heading home, Ms. Trump delivered a keynote address at the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi) Summit. During President Trump’s first year in office, America became a founding member of We-Fi, and in the organization’s first year, it allocated $120 million toward projects that help female entrepreneurs globally. “Societies that empower women to succeed are more peaceful and more prosperous. And this is evident in all the research that we see,” Ms. Trump says. A closer look inside Ivanka Trump’s trip to Ivory Coast  Add $60+ billion for America under President Trump’s new trade deal One of President Trump’s signature promises was to get America out of bad trade deals—and negotiate brand-new ones that finally benefit our great workers. Late last year, the President delivered on that pledge in a big way when he signed the U.S.–Mexico–Canada Trade Agreement (USCMA), replacing the outdated NAFTA. The USMCA will make life better for American workers by “bringing back our manufacturing jobs, expanding American agriculture, protecting intellectual property, and ensuring that more cars are proudly stamped with four beautiful words: made in the USA,” President Trump said during his second State of the Union Address. A new report from the International Trade Commission backs the President up, explaining that the new agreement will add $68.2 billion to America’s economy while creating 176,000 new jobs. “The agreement would likely have a positive impact on all broad industry sectors within the U.S. economy,” the report says. “Manufacturing would experience the largest percentage gains in output, exports, wages, and employment.” The evidence is quickly making clear that USMCA will offer a bright future for the U.S. economy once Congress enacts it. The question now: How much longer will Washington make our workers wait? Headlines: USMCA will boost economic growth and create jobs Video of the day: Ivanka Trump in Ivory Coast “Wonderful and productive visit to Côte d'Ivoire!” Ivanka Trump tweeted last week as she returned home from a four-day trip to Africa, where she promoted women’s economic empowerment in the developing world.

White House Easter Egg Roll 2019

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 23, 2019 White House Easter Egg Roll 2019 President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump stand on the Blue Room balcony of the White House as they welcome guests Monday, April 22, 2019, to the 141st White House Easter Egg Roll. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)       President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump walk down the South Portico steps to attend festivities on the South Lawn of the White House Monday, April 22, 2019, during the 141st White House Easter Egg Roll. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)       First Lady Melania Trump hugs a young girl on the South Lawn of the White House Monday, April 22, 2019, during the 141st White House Easter Egg Roll. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)       President Donald J. Trump greets guests on the South Lawn of the White House Monday, April 22, 2019, during the 141st White House Easter Egg Roll. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)       The 2019 American Egg Board Commemorative Egg is seen after being presented to First Lady Melania Trump Monday, April 22, 2019, in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)       A young girl attending the White House Easter Egg Roll poses at a small replica of the White House press briefing room podium on the South Lawn of the White House Monday, April 22, 2019, during the 141st White House Easter Egg Roll. (Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)       First Lady Melania Trump reads to children at the reading nook on the South Lawn of the White House Monday, April 22, 2019, during the 141st White House Easter Egg Roll. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)       Children high five the Easter bunny on the South Lawn of the White House Monday, April 22, 2019, at the 141st White House Easter Egg Roll. (Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour)       Children participate in an egg hunt on the South Lawn of the White House Monday, April 22, 2019, at the 141st White House Easter Egg Roll. (Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour)       President Donald J. Trump creates cards for troops with children on the South Lawn of the White House Monday, April 22, 2019, at the 141st White House Easter Egg Roll. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)       First Lady Melania Trump participates in Be Best hopscotch on the South Lawn of the White House Monday, April 22, 2019, during the 141st White House Easter Egg Roll. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)      President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump stand on the Blue Room balcony of the White House as they welcome guests Monday, April 22, 2019, to the 141st White House Easter Egg Roll. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)

DIRECTOR OF THE DOMESTIC POLICY COUNCIL JOE GROGAN: “THE TROUBLE WITH BERNIECARE”

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 23, 2019 DIRECTOR OF THE DOMESTIC POLICY COUNCIL JOE GROGAN: “THE TROUBLE WITH BERNIECARE” “[A]s if taking health care choices from patients isn’t bad enough, this bill also hurts seniors, eliminates private health insurance for nearly 180 million Americans, wipes out Medicare Advantage for over 22 million, and harms our economy for generations to come.”   The Trouble With BernieCare By Joe Grogan RealClear Politics April 22, 2019 Last week, Sen. Bernie Sanders introduced a bill that would end health care as we know it, and Americans should thank him for letting us see where the Democrats want to take the country. Its central premise appears to be that Washington bureaucrats know better than patients and doctors. But as if taking health care choices from patients isn’t bad enough, this bill also hurts seniors, eliminates private health insurance for nearly 180 million Americans, wipes out Medicare Advantage for over 22 million, and harms our economy for generations to come. It doesn’t stop there: For good measure, the bill removes critical support for children and service members’ families while providing free care to illegal immigrants. According to estimates from nonpartisan experts, BernieCare could cost taxpayers more than $32 trillion over the next 10 years. Sanders decided a health care bill is a good place to direct our taxpayer dollars toward illegal immigrants rather than put America First. … In what appears to be an effort to make sure military families do not receive the special support they deserve, he proposes to abolish Tricare. The military is not the only group targeted by this plan. The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) would also be eliminated under Sander’s vision. And of course, seniors would lose their specialized support as everyone else floods into Medicare and claims scarce resources. … Medical care has gotten too expensive, but we should be working together to get costs down—not using health care costs as a backdoor to reshape the economy of this great country. We should build on what works and fix what’s broken. That is why President Trump is working to protect people with pre-existing conditions, end surprise medical bills, increase the transparency of medical costs, lower drug prices, expand access to affordable coverage options, increase patient choice, stop the spread of HIV, end the opioid epidemic, transform kidney care, and accelerate therapies for pediatric cancer. … Read the full op-ed here.

West Wing Reads White House Easter Egg Roll Rolls on for 141st Year

White House Easter Egg Roll Rolls on for 141st Year “The 141st White House Easter Egg Roll – and first lady Melania Trump's third – got underway on the South Lawn Monday,” Maria Puente writes for USA Today. “More than 30,000 people were expected to join President Trump for the annual rewind of one of the oldest White House traditions, aimed mostly at kids. The main event is the spectacle of children rolling hard-boiled eggs across the lawn, but the first lady introduced two new additions to the festivities: musical eggs and a game of hopscotch named for her ‘Be Best’ initiative to improve the well-being of American children.” Click here to read more. “It has been clear from the start that the collusion probe has been a stand-in for policy; for the past two years it has been so much easier to attack President Trump on bogus charges of working with the Russians than to actually propose better ideas for moving the country forward,” Liz Peek writes in Fox News. “Democrats face two problems. First, the country is increasingly crediting President Trump with buoyant job creation, higher productivity and wage gains. Second, their party is cracking apart, suffering a leadership vacuum and a surfeit of dissonant noise-makers hungry for attention.” “President Trump wants to exert ‘maximum pressure’ on Iran, which is why he is giving the sanctions screws another firm twist. Any country that imports Iranian oil will soon face U.S. penalties—with no exceptions,” The Wall Street Journal editorial board writes. “The Trump Administration, to its credit, shows no signs of backing down. If Iran wants sanctions eased, it can stop spreading terror and renegotiate the nuclear deal.” “Last week, Sen. Bernie Sanders introduced a bill that would end health care as we know it, and Americans should thank him for letting us see where the Democrats want to take the country. Its central premise appears to be that Washington bureaucrats know better than patients and doctors,” Director of the White House’s Domestic Policy Council Joe Grogan writes in RealClearPolitics. There are real problems to fix with U.S. healthcare, but the solutions should not include fewer choices for American patients. “Hamas professes violence and the destruction of Israel as a method of gaining a better life for Palestinians. This ‘defense’ of Palestinians has led to the problems experienced today: a decimated economy, hundreds killed in violence each year and one of the highest unemployment rates in the world,” U.S. Special Representative for International Negotiations Jason Greenblatt writes in The New York Times. “Hamas is to blame for Gaza’s situation.”

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 23, 2019 USMCA WILL BOOST ECONOMIC GROWTH AND CREATE JOBS   Recent analyses show that the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will boost economic growth and create more jobs for American workers  FOX BUSINESS: USMCA to Add $68.2B to US Economy, Spur 176K Jobs Says Key Independent Review Panel “A new trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico and Canada would add $68.2 billion to the U.S. economy and create 176,000 new jobs, according to a study from the International Trade Commission released on Thursday. … ‘The model estimates that the agreement would likely have a positive impact on all broad industry sectors within the U.S. economy,’ the [ITC] report says.  ‘Manufacturing would experience the largest percentage gains in output, exports, wages, and employment, while in absolute terms, services would experience the largest gains in output and employment.’” FINANCIAL TIMES: USMCA Trade Deal to Boost US Economy, Trade Commission Finds “The ITC said in its report released on Thursday that the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement would have a positive impact on US real gross domestic product and employment ‘if fully implemented and enforced’, citing new rules of origin governing vehicle production. The report also found benefits from reduced policy uncertainty regarding digital trade.” WASHINGTON EXAMINER: Trump USMCA would add $68B to GDP and 176,000 jobs, independent report says “The deal would strengthen labor standards and rights, especially those in Mexico, increase intellectual property rights protections enjoyed by U.S. firms, and reduce the scope of the system for settling disputes between investors and individual countries, likely leading to less U.S. investment in Mexico — and freeing up capital for domestic manufacturing and mining, according to the report. The projected positive effect would be small, though.” REUTERS: U.S. Trade Agency Sees 76,000 New Auto Jobs from North American Trade Deal “The Trump administration on Thursday estimated that its new North American trade deal will create 76,000 automotive sector jobs within five years as automakers invest some $34 billion in new plants to comply with the pact’s new regional content rules. … A senior USTR official told reporters that none of the 15 automakers producing vehicles in North America intend to opt out of the agreement to pay U.S. tariffs instead and move production overseas, as some critics of the deal have suggested.” FOX BUSINESS: Trump Admin: USMCA Would Lead to North American Auto Industry Surge “A new trade deal between the U.S., Mexico and Canada would spur billions of dollars in new investment and launch thousands of new jobs in the North American automotive industry, according to a new study released on Thursday from the Office of the United States Trade Representative. Based on confidential data provided by the major carmakers with operations in the region, the sector would invest roughly $34 billion and create 76,000 jobs within THE HILL: New NAFTA Would Give $60B Boost to Auto Sector “The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) projected a significant boost for U.S. automakers and parts producers in an economic analysis of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USCMA) published Thursday. The White House trade office projected the USMCA to spur $34 billion in investments in U.S. auto plants, $23 billion in American auto parts sales and create 76,000 new industry jobs over the course of five years. The employment gains would include roughly 22,800 automotive assembly jobs, 8,000 additional advanced battery supplier jobs, and 45,600 additional automotive supplier jobs, according to USTR estimates.” INSIDE U.S. TRADE: ITC Cites Digital, Auto Provisions in Finding USMCA Will Benefit U.S. Economy “The Commission estimates that USMCA would boost U.S. GDP by $68.2 billion and would add roughly 176,000 jobs. Additionally, ‘U.S. exports to Canada and Mexico would increase by $19.1 billion (5.9 percent) and $14.2 billion (6.7 percent), respectively. U.S. imports from Canada and Mexico would increase by $19.1 billion (4.8 percent) and $12.4 billion (3.8 percent), respectively,’ the report states.” POLITICO: U.S. ITC Report: Dairy Exports to Canada Would Grow $227M Under New Deal “American dairy exports to Canada would increase by $227 million annually under the new USMCA deal, according to a report out today from the U.S. International Trade Commission. The 375-page report assessed the range of effects of the deal, including on dairy, which was among the most politically sensitive issues in Canada. The ITC estimated American dairy exports to Canada would jump significantly — by 43.8 percent.” ###