President Trump won a major legislative victory this week as his party gathered again about his agenda. Coming up next week is another big priority for him. New tariffs and trade transactions.
Scott Simon, host:
President Trump calls the fatal floods in central Texas shocking, and says his administration is working with Gov. Abbott over federal aid. He made these comments yesterday after signing his massive policy bill, the so-called Big Beautiful Building, at the White House celebration on July 4th.
(Sound bites of archived recordings)
President Donald Trump: The promises, the promises were kept. And we kept them. This is a democratic victory on the birthday of democracy and I have to say that people are happy.
Simon: This is a package that cuts taxes, adds funds to border security, and cuts down major programs like Medicaid. NPR White House correspondent Daniel Kurtzleben joined us. Thank you, Daniel for being with us.
Danielle Kurtzleben, byline: Yes. Good morning, Scott.
Simon: And please tell us about yesterday’s ceremony.
Kurtzleben: Well, this event was outside the White House with a picnic for military families, including those who participated in Iran’s Midnight Hammer operation. At the event, the B-2S flew overhead. Now these are planes carrying these giant bombs targeting Iran’s underground nuclear facilities. Trump came out on the White House balcony with First Lady Melania Trump. And he thanked the members of the military, but he quickly moved to celebrating the new policy bill. He then descended from his balcony and signed a signature surrounded by members of the Republican Congress.
Simon: Certainly there will be a regime celebration as well as the event on July 4th?
Kurtzleben: Ah, so. Incidentally, that was the case in Iowa on Thursday nights. I was there, it was in Des Moines and it was meant to be an American celebration. But in reality it looked like a Trump campaign rally. In other words, it was deeply partisan. And there he said he had just won a few weeks. After all, Congress passed its narrow, but major new domestic policy agenda. And he took that big strike against Iran and then received the ceasefire he holds for now. There are also figures showing that border intersections are falling considerably, and he celebrated this week’s trip to Florida at a new immigration detention camp where the administration is calling Wannial Catraz.
Simon: The administration refers to all of this and says it will be a lot of victory. Is there anything more to consider?
Kurtzleben: Well, absolutely. In Iran, for example, it is still unknown how much of Iran’s nuclear capabilities have been truly destroyed, and whether or when it will begin to rebuild the program. According to the Congressional Budget Office, or the CBO, the so-called big beautiful bill could drive almost 12 million people out of Medicaid. Now the Democrats were very concerned about it. Like some Republicans, some Republicans were also upset about how much the bill would add to their debt. According to the CBO, it will add 3.3 trillion. That’s a lot. And there’s the fact that it’s not that popular, according to multiple polls. Now, Trump, on his part, simply dismisses the poll. Here he was talking yesterday.
(Sound bites of archived recordings)
Trump: We’re just looking forward to it, blowjob, look forward to it and say what it is, as it is the most popular bill signed in the history of our country.
Simon: Daniel, you mentioned the Florida Detention Center. What challenges do President Trump face and immigration today?
Kurtzleben: Well, you know, immigration has been a central issue for Trump from day one. But in reality, this administration’s approach to immigration enforcement faces a lot of opposition across the country, for example, in the form of protest, with some companies worried that he would banish workers. And it’s unclear how much it will happen. In fact, Trump is plaguing whether to mitigate attacks on farms, such as those that rely on many immigrants.
Simon: And what about customs?
Kurtzleben: Well, he said he’s going to move a lot of tariffs next week. But first, let me remind you where we are. In early April, Trump announced tariffs in most countries. He then retreated and temporarily set those tariffs at 10%. He said the rate would jump on July 9th. But before that, he negotiated fees across countries. Well, July 9th is here and he is negotiating fees with two countries, the UK and Vietnam. So, he says now that he will send a letter informing the country of their tariff rates. Soon you will know how much American businesses and consumers will pay for imported goods.
Simon: Daniel Kurtzleben of NPR. Thank you so much, Daniel.
Kurtzleben: Thank you, Scott.
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