Well, what was old is new again. That
being the affordability strategy we've been telling you about now
how the polls show Americans are frustrated with the economy
. And the president's approval rating is now in the
30s. So now back to affordability that he campaigned
on. So the sweeping tariffs were in place,
and now he's carving out deals for specific items from
each country to be changed, things like coffee and
bananas, things like that. Scrip News White House
correspondent Hayley Bull is live now to break down all
the details. And, and Hayley, there has
been a deal on the table also with Switzerland.
What is that one about? Yeah, there certainly
a significant announcement. One of a handful of new
trade frameworks Administration is announcing this week as they also
simultaneously focus on that issue of affordability you mentioned as
the government has reopened. The government's announcing that they
have reached a memorandum of understanding with the intent for
the US to reduce its tariff rate for Switzerland to
15%. This comes on the heels of officials meeting
this week. Uh, conversely, the Swiss are
expected to lower their duties. On certain industrial and
agricultural products, while Swiss companies are expected to invest
about$200 billion in the United States. Uh,
now the United States Trade Representative Jamison Greer says that
they expect the trade deficit with Switzerland to be eliminated
, saying this. So we expect by the end
of President Trump's term for that trade deficit with Switzerland
to be eliminated because of these kinds of moves.
And, and also more importantly, there's just,
there's going to be a structural opening of Switzerland to
the United States. Uh, Switzerland on the industrial
side already has fairly low tariffs, uh, but
they've agreed to remove all industrial tariffs. They've agreed
to give us market access for things like poultry,
which is really challenging for the US and Europe,
um, and so it's actually quite, quite an
important development. That's what everyone's willing to do that
and of course they'll give us access on pork and
beef and uh seafood and a variety of other products
that we make so it's an exciting opportunity. And
additionally, Del, in addition to Argentina that you
mentioned, uh, the administration also announcing a slew
of other frameworks for Western Hemisphere nations, a 10%
rate for Guatemala, El Salvador, and Argentina in
new frameworks of agreements, and 15% for Ecuador.
Now senior administration officials say those countries are expected to
open markets for, as we have heard with so
many of these deals, agricultural and industrial. Products
additionally, to not impose digital services taxes and for
some have specific provisions on critical minerals, what has
been a major focus in trade relations for this administration
. Uh, but at the same time, the
White House is continuing to push its larger economic message
, of course, which tariffs are a key part
of, as they're trying to convince Americans that their
plan is working, and we have seen them point
to what they view as positive indicators. Things like
, uh, wage growth and purchasing power while officials
recognizing uh work to do on that front. One
official this week saying that President Trump will be out
there, uh, with his economic message, and
today the president weighing in on social media on the
affordability issue, uh, saying that, uh,
his party, the Republicans, he's insinuating are the
party of affordability. Specifically, he said, quote
, cost and inflation were far higher under the sleep
. Joe Biden administration than they are now. In
fact, costs under the Trump administration are tumbling down
, helped greatly by gasoline and energy. Affordability is
a lie when used by the Dems. It is
a complete con job. Of course, polling shows
Americans still feeling some pain when it comes to the
economy. Uh, what was a top issue,
uh, in the president's election and remains a top
issue today, Dele. Scripture's White House correspondent Haley
Bellforce live on the North Lawn. Haley, thank
you very much.