While we catch the most important stories coming from the White House as they happen, some minor stories and small details fall through the cracks on busy news days. When they do, we pick them up … on the flip side.
note: this post is updated throughout the day as events warrant
See all of the daily White House Flip Side Chronicles HERE.
Presidential Itinerary – the details
The president’s summarized daily schedules can be found HERE.
The president referenced a 3:30 p.m. meeting in a tweet (full Twitter post in “tweets” section below) that was not on the schedule released by the White House Press Office last night. No updated guidance has been received from the press office, but the secretary said that it is forthcoming.
There are no on-camera events scheduled today, but the so-far unscheduled 3:30 p.m. meeting smells like a press event on tariffs and trade.
The cabinet meeting
The president spoke at the top of the Cabinet meeting for 19 minutes, which included answers to two shouted questions, both on trade. He indicated that the tariffs might not be necessary for Canada and Mexico if NAFTA could be renegotiated to his satisfaction. The president also said he would start with tariffs at 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum, but would have the flexibility to raise and lower those, country-by-country, as needed.
Proclamation of Tariffs signing
The president signed two proclamations enacting tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. Trump delivered comments ahead of the signing. There were 10 steel workers to his right and on the left were Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and economic adviser Peter Navarro.
South Korea announcement
The president told reporters that South Korea will make a major announcement at 7:00 p.m. EST tonight. Trump said that he has spoken directly with S. Korea’s President Moon about the announcement. The details of the announcement are below.
Executive Actions
The signing of Proclamations for steel and aluminum tariffs
The president signed two orders in the Roosevelt Room of the White House Thursday afternoon. One imposes a 25% tariff on imported steel, the other sets a 10% tariff on imported aluminum [video].
The full texts of the proclamations are HERE and HERE.
Statements
On South Korean Announcement
Press Secretary Sarah Sanders:
President Trump greatly appreciates the nice words of the South Korean delegation and President Moon. He will accept the invitation to meet with Kim Jong Un at a place and time to be determined. We look forward to the denuclearization of North Korea. In the meantime, all sanctions and maximum pressure must remain.
South Korean National Security Advisor, Chung Eui-Yong:
Full transcript HERE.
On International Womens Day
On International Womens Day, we celebrate the many incredible contributions made by women of all ages in the United States and around the world. We honor the vital role of women in our communities, businesses, civil society, and government. And we reaffirm our Nations commitment to ensuring that every person has the opportunity to succeed.
Despite some recent progress around the world, too many women still face tremendous barriers to participation in all aspects of life. This must change. Women are critical to economic growth and global stability. When women are empowered, communities and entire nations thrive.
Over the past year, my Administration has championed the creation of international initiatives to promote womens economic empowerment. Through the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi), we are working to improve access to capital for women entrepreneurs in the developing world. With the formation of the Canada-United States Council for Advancement of Women Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders, we are engaging with the private sector to reduce barriers to womens participation in business. And through the Overseas Private Investment Corporations new 2X Womens Initiative, we are mobilizing $1 billion for investment into projects that support women in emerging markets.
Moreover, I have worked with Congress to enact policies that encourage American women to pursue careers in the international arena. In October, I signed the Women, Peace, and Security Act, which promotes the participation of women in conflict prevention and post-conflict peace efforts around the world. Involvement in these efforts will provide women with important opportunities to use their skills and abilities to mediate difficult situations and to keep our country safe.
Today, my Administration is launching USAIDs WomenConnect Challenge. In an increasingly connected world, women are lagging behind in access to the internet. In fact, 1.7 billion women in low and middle-income countries around the world remain unconnected today. The WomenConnect Challenge will help women in these developing countries gain access to the digital technology that is so foundational for productivity and participation in the global economy.
My Administration is also supporting women in the United States by empowering them to continue driving the success of our Nation. In 2017, the Small Business Administration increased capital loans to women-owned businesses by more than $575 million.
Through these and many other initiatives, we seek to empower women of all backgrounds to achieve their economic potential and shape our world. As we mark International Womens Day, we remain committed to the worthwhile mission of enhancing womens leadership in the world and building a stronger America for all.
On School Safety and Trump’s meeting with the video game industry
“As we continue to work towards creating school safety programs that protect all children, the President will be meeting with video game industry leaders and Members of Congress to discuss violent video-game exposure and the correlation to aggression and desensitization in children,” White House Deputy Press Secretary Lindsay Walters said in a statement Thursday morning. “This meeting will be the first of many with industry leaders to discuss this important issue.”
Members of Congress:
- Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)
- Representative Vicky Hartzler (R-MO)
- Representative Martha Roby (R-AL)
External Participants:
- Mr. Strauss Zelnick, Take-Two Interactive (Former Chairman of ESA), CEO of Rockstar Games
- Mr. Brent Bozell, Media Research Center
- Lt. Col. Dave Grossman (Ret.), “On Killing: The Psychological Cost ofLearning to Kill in War and Society and “Assassination Generation: VideoGames, Aggression, and thePsychology of Killing”
- Ms. Pat Vance, President of Entertainment Software Rating Board
- Mr. Mike Gallagher, President and CEO of the Entertainment Software Association
- Mr. Robert Altman, Chairman and CEO of ZeniMax Media (parent company of Bethesda Softworks)
On Jobs
The Jobs President:
Under President Trump jobless claims lowest in a half century and wages are rising. A new report by Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics, projects the jobless rate will hit an all time low next year— Kayleigh McEnany 45 Archived (@PressSec45) March 8, 2018
Rally in Pennsylvania Saturday
President Trump’s re-election campaign announced a rally to be held near Pittsburgh, PA Saturday. Details HERE.
Tweets
Kim Jong Un talked about denuclearization with the South Korean Representatives, not just a freeze. Also, no missile testing by North Korea during this period of time. Great progress being made but sanctions will remain until an agreement is reached. Meeting being planned!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 9, 2018
Great meeting with @Cabinet at the @WhiteHouse today! #MAGA pic.twitter.com/InWj0QTosz
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 8, 2018
Happy #InternationalWomensDay
“First Lady Melania Trump to Present the 2018 International Women of Courage Award” https://t.co/EwYtFXGvn2
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 8, 2018
Looking forward to 3:30 P.M. meeting today at the White House. We have to protect & build our Steel and Aluminum Industries while at the same time showing great flexibility and cooperation toward those that are real friends and treat us fairly on both trade and the military.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 8, 2018
Executive Branch Nominations
- Dennis Dean Kirk of Virginia, to be a Member and Chair of the Merit Systems Protection Board
- Heath P. Tarbert of Maryland, to be the acting Governor of the Inter-American Development Bank
- James Morris to be the United States Representative on the Executive Board of the United National Childrens Fund
- James Thomas Morris of Indiana, to be the United States Representative on the Executive Board of the United National Childrens Fund (UNICEF)
Communications with Heads of State (readouts often come the day after the conversation)
Call with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan
President Donald J. Trump spoke with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan to discuss the situation in North Korea and to continue the close coordination between our two countries. President Trump and Prime Minister Abe assessed that the maximum pressure policy, together with international solidarity, brought us to this critical juncture. The leaders affirmed their strong intention to continue close trilateral coordination with South Korea to maintain pressure and enforce international sanctions until such point that North Korea takes tangible steps toward complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization. President Trump expressed his hope that North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns invitation signals his desire to give the North Korean people a brighter future.
