Presidential Proclamation on Labor Day, 2018
On Labor Day, we celebrate the American worker: the bulwark of our national prosperity and the cornerstone of our national greatness. Since taking office, my Administration has sought to restore the obligation of loyalty and allegiance that this Nation’s Government owes to its workers. In all economic decisions, we believe in our sovereign obligation to defend and protect our country’s workforce, and to seek its economic interests above that of any other country. America’s workers pay our taxes, support our values, serve in our military, raise our children, protect our Constitution, and build our communities. They deserve, in return, the unwavering fidelity of their Government.
Guided by this obligation, my Administration has taken historic action to advance prosperity for the American worker: cutting their taxes, eliminating regulations that threaten their jobs, unleashing American energy that powers their lives, restoring American manufacturing, and ending the transfer of wealth out of our country through disastrous trade deals that gutted our industries and our national strength. The result of our pro-America economic policies have been extraordinary: currently, in America, there are a record 162 million people working; initial claims for jobless benefits are at their lowest in half a century; and the unemployment rate of 3.9 percent is historically low.
We have also taken historic action to defend the American worker by upholding and enforcing the immigration laws enacted for their protection ‑‑ and by seeking to reform our immigration system so that it protects the jobs, wages, and livelihoods of our Nation’s workers. Further, as we honor the work of all those in our labor force, we are especially mindful of the dignity gained from a hard day’s work. Thousands of Americans have found a renewed sense of purpose in our resurgent economy. The dedication, resolve, and pride of the American worker are the reason our Nation has achieved prosperity that was once thought unattainable.
My Administration is focused on investing in America’s workers and ensuring all Americans are on a path to good paying jobs. In July, I signed an Executive Order establishing the President’s National Council for the American Worker and the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board, harnessing the expertise of leaders in business and education to develop a holistic, national workforce strategy to promote access to affordable, relevant education and job training opportunities. I have called on companies nationwide to sign our Pledge to America’s Workers and commit to investing in their current and future workforce by expanding education and reskilling programs. Already, many companies have answered that call, pledging to train and retrain more than 4.2 million American students and workers for new career opportunities across the country. Earlier this summer, I signed into law a reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act to provide students and workers with the skills necessary to succeed in a 21st century economy. I have also called for reforming the Federal Work-Study program, so that more Federal dollars go toward helping students ‑‑ especially lower-income students ‑‑ have more meaningful workplace experiences. And I have proposed to allow students to use Pell Grant funding to pay for cutting-edge, short-term programs that lead to quick and efficient transitions into the workforce.
We also recognize and honor the proud and historic role of our Nation’s labor unions in advocating for the interests of the American worker and wage-earner ‑‑ and we have kept our promise to always keep the White House door open to members and leaders of our country’s labor organizations.
Further, as promised, I am renegotiating trade agreements to obtain fairer terms for American workers, farmers, ranchers, and businesses. For the past year, I have been negotiating with Canada and Mexico to fix the North American Free Trade Agreement. Earlier this week, I announced that my Administration has secured a preliminary deal between the United States and Mexico that modernizes and rebalances trade between our two countries in a way that greatly benefits American manufacturing, agriculture, services, and other sectors. I have also notified the Congress of my intent to sign a trade agreement with Mexico ‑‑ and Canada, if it is willing. The deal I intend to sign will help create more reciprocal trade that grows our economy. It will also support high-paying jobs for American workers and protect the intellectual property of our Nation’s businesses and workers. In addition to these improvements in our United States–Mexico trade relationship, we have also agreed with the European Commission to work toward achieving zero tariffs, increasing United States exports, and addressing unfair trade practices. And we secured key amendments to the trade agreement with South Korea that will strengthen the manufacturing sector of the economy, generating increased job opportunities for American workers. We are also protecting our economy from unfair trade practices that threaten our innovation and technology.
The dedication, resolve, and pride of the American worker built the greatest country in the history of the world ‑‑ the envy of nations and the pride of countless millions ‑‑ and now, we are bringing to life the next great chapter in the history of this magnificent Republic.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 3, 2018, as Labor Day. I call upon all public officials and people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that honor the contributions and resilience of working Americans.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand eighteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-third.
DONALD J. TRUMP
Presidential Proclamation on National Preparedness Month, 2018
National Preparedness Month is a time to focus our attention on the importance of preparing our families, homes, businesses, and communities for disasters that threaten our lives, property, and homeland. During this time, we also honor the brave men and women who selflessly respond to crises and disasters, rendering aid to those in need. These first responders, who work tirelessly to safeguard our Nation and protect our citizens, deserve our utmost gratitude and appreciation.
Over the past year, communities nationwide and across the Territories have witnessed and endured damage from multiple hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, floods, volcanic eruptions, and other natural disasters. The historic hurricane season of 2017 included three catastrophic storms that made landfall within a month, and was followed by a destructive series of wildfires in California. Combined, these natural disasters affected 47 million people and tens of thousands were mobilized to provide aid, comfort, and assistance. We are also especially mindful of those currently affected by ongoing wildfires in California, Oregon, and Colorado. In spite of tremendous challenges, the resilience of the American people continues to prevail.
Tragedies are somber reminders that preparedness is a shared responsibility and that it is critical to maintain readiness. All Americans can prepare for potential disasters by developing and practicing a family emergency response plan, assembling a disaster supply kit, signing up for alerts on mobile devices, setting aside emergency savings, and maintaining adequate insurance policies for their homes and businesses. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Ready Campaign outlines other important steps to best prepare for a major disaster.
This month, I encourage all Americans to take the opportunity to ensure they have an emergency response plan in place and ready to be properly executed. Emergencies and disasters test the resilience and strength of families, communities, and our Nation. It is impossible to avoid every challenge and threat, but we can and must prepare for them. By doing so, we can help protect our communities and save lives.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 2018 as National Preparedness Month. I encourage all Americans, including Federal, State, and local officials, to take action to be prepared for disaster or emergency by making and practicing their emergency response plans. Each step we take to become better prepared makes a real difference in how our families and communities will respond and persevere when faced with the unexpected.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand eighteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-third.
DONALD J. TRUMP
This Labor Day Caps off the Summer of the American Worker
August 31, 2018
Photo Credit: Official White House Photo by Joyce N. BoghgosianLast summer, President Donald J. Trump had a simple message for Americans as he honored the first Labor Day of his Presidency: “We are building our future with American hands, American labor, American iron, aluminum and steel.”
One year later, the results speak for themselves.
While President Trump is pushing for “America First” reforms across his Administration, three keys to the country’s recent success stand out: a record-setting economy, a commitment to keeping that wealth here at home, and a pledge to keep much of that wealth in the hands of American workers.
A HISTORY-MAKING ECONOMY
President Trump promised to revitalize the American economy; since he was elected, more than 3.8 million jobs have been created. While liberal pundits and economists touted “secular stagnation” as the new norm for American economic growth, the overwhelming evidence of the past year and a half proves the President’s critics wrong.
One example: For years, manufacturing was a steadily declining and increasingly forgotten sector of the U.S. economy. President Trump made a priority of bringing back factories—along with that proud motto, “Made in America.”
In the past year, manufacturing jobs have returned at the fastest pace in more than two decades. Since the President took office, nearly 400,000 manufacturing jobs have been created; in July alone, 37,000 new manufacturing jobs were added. “Together, we are sending a message to our foreign competitors: The days of plundering American jobs and wealth, those days are over,” President Trump told steelworkers last month in Granite City, Illinios.
The President’s tax cuts are playing a huge part in this booming economy. Historic unemployment lows have become regular occurrences, with the overall rate falling to 3.9 percent from its peak of 10 percent nine years ago.
Last quarter was the first full quarter with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in effect, and the numbers are revealing: GDP growth exceeded early estimates at 4.2 percent, putting the U.S. economy right on track to clear the President’s goal of 3 percent annual growth.
KEEPING THE WEALTH HERE AT HOME
Just this week, President Trump delivered on his promise to American workers to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). After years of failed promises from politicians on both sides of the aisle, this occasion marks the first time that a modern American trade agreement has been renegotiated.
The outdated NAFTA agreement was unbalanced, and American jobs were the ultimate victim. The new, preliminary U.S.–Mexico Trade Agreement will protect American workers, American manufacturing, and American agriculture. New “rules of origin” requirements will encourage billions a year in the production of auto parts in the United States, which will support high-wage jobs across the country. The deal also includes the strongest and most fully enforceable labor standards of any trade agreement.
Last month, the President launched a new era in fair, reciprocal trade with Europe, with American and European Union officials agreeing to work toward zero tariffs and zero non-tariff barriers. The EU also agreed to increase trade in American soybeans and increase American energy exported to Europe—a huge win for American farmers and workers.
Thanks to President Trump’s tax reform package, the businesses that benefit from this record growth and fair trade are bringing money held overseas back to the United States. More than $300 billion was repatriated back to America after the first quarter of 2018 alone, setting a new record high.
KEEPING WEALTH IN THE HANDS OF WORKERS
When American businesses succeed, American workers should, too. While tremendous economic growth helps, the Trump Administration has pushed for legislation, regulatory reforms, and new initiatives that ensure a wealthier America pays off for each one of our citizens.
The first and most important step was the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which put more money back into American paychecks by delivering $5.5 trillion in reductions—among the most sweeping reforms of the tax code in U.S. history. The law nearly doubled the standard deduction, doubled the child tax credit, protected tax savings for higher education and retirement, and lowered rates across the board.
It also repealed Obamacare’s individual mandate tax, nearly 80 percent of which hit households earning less than $50,000 per year in 2016.
At a roundtable discussion in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, earlier this year, the significance of these changes was brought home. “Not a lot of people know it, but for the average West Virginian, two kids, it’s $1,966 more in their pocket because of your tax cuts, Mr. President,” Rep. Evan Jenkins (R-WV) said. “The average mortgage in West Virginia is $600 . . . President Trump paid the mortgage payment for three months of the average West Virginian.”
Key to taking advantage of these unprecedented opportunities is having a workforce that’s trained for the jobs of tomorrow. With Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump helping lead the charge, President Trump announced his landmark Pledge to America’s Workers at a White House event last month. In just over six weeks since, companies and organizations signing the pledge have committed to creating millions of new opportunities for our country’s workforce.
Echoing the sky-high optimism of America’s blue-collar workers, “that’s just what we call a good start,” Vice President Mike Pence says.
Statement from the Press Secretary on the Visit of His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait
Issued on: August 31, 2018
President Donald J. Trump will welcome His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait to the White House for a working visit on September 5, 2018. His Highness is leading a Kuwaiti delegation to the United States to discuss trade, investment, and security cooperation.
