Trump Celebrates American Manufacturing As His Product Are Made Overseas

On Monday, the White House kicked off its themed "Made In America" week with a showcase of products manufactured in each of the 50 states. The theme was immediately marred in controversy as the President, and his surrogates, struggled to explain why so many Trump family products are made outside America.

"We're here to celebrate American manufacturing and showcase all the products of the 50 states made in the U.S.A.," the President said on Monday. “Remember in the old days, they used to have 'Made in the U.S.A.'? We're going to start doing that again. We're going to put that brand on our product because it means it's the best,” he added.

The President then signed an executive order aimed at supporting American businesses and protecting U.S. workers.

At the same time Trump was enjoying cider doughnuts from New Hampshire and Cheerwine soda from North Carolina, shoppers could purchase a Trump tie that was made in China or buy one of Ivanka Trump’s white ruffled tops that was made in Indonesia. Last week, the Washington Post reported that Ivanka relies "exclusively on foreign factories" to manufacture her products.

And while the New York Steinway pianos and Tennessee Gibson guitars were being set up at the White House, the Department of Homeland Security announced it would expand the number of temporary H-2B visas for seasonal workers by 15,000. The decision was made after Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta determined there were not enough "qualified and willing U.S. workers" that could fill the needs of businesses.

In February, Mar-a-Lago announced it would hire 64 workers under the program. (The President has said that his Florida resort relies on immigrant labor for "seasonal work.")

During a press briefing on Monday, press secretary Sean Spicer was asked if, in honor of this week’s theme of "Made In America," the Trump Organization or Ivanka Trump would commit to “stop manufacturing wares abroad.”

Spicer responded by initially pivoting to the President’s "Made in America" agenda before saying that that, with respect to President Trump and Ivanka’s brands, “obviously it’s inappropriate to discuss how anything would affect their own companies.”

However, Spicer acknowledged that "Made In America" may not be possible for all industries.

"There are certain things we may not have the capacity to do here in terms of having a plant or a factory that can do it…. But some lines, some industries, some products may not have the scalability or the demand here in this country, but like so many other things, if there's enough of a demand then hopefully somebody builds a factory and does it," Spicer added.

The White House is hoping that the "Made In America" week will draw attention to actions the White House believes will help U.S. manufacturing and U.S. workers, such as withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, relaxing environmental regulations, and moving to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

On Monday, during the showcase, the President voiced his opposition to free trade saying, "People say, oh, that’s free trade. No, that’s stupid trade. That’s really stupid trade."

Hoping to make the trade less stupid, Monday also saw the release of the Summary of Objectives for the NAFTA Renegotiation. This broad list of objectives includes a plan to reduce the U.S. trade deficit with NAFTA countries, create an "appropriate mechanism" to ensure countries don’t manipulate their currency, and end a controversial mechanism that allows for the review of trade remedies.

This trade remedy, known as the "Chapter 19 dispute settlement mechanism," allows companies to appeal trade decisions that were made in domestic courts in an alternative panel. U.S. lumber, and other industries, have rallied against the mechanism, saying it stymies America from being able to fully enforce its trade laws. Trump said these new NAFTA objectives are all about his favorite word--”reciprocity.”

"Over the next short period of time you're going to see things announced that you won't even believe for our country and for selling product in our country and making product in our country and things that are great for American jobs," Trump said.

"Made In America" week will continue with the President signing a declaration on Wednesday and continuing to speak about the importance of American-made products. On Saturday, he’ll travel to Virginia and attend the commissioning of the USS Gerald R. Ford, the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier. Upcoming theme weeks include “American Heroes” week on July 24th and “American Dream” week on July 31st.

What do you think?

Is it ok for the President to push "Made In America" while Trump products are made outside the U.S.? Do you think free trade harms or helps American businesses? Does NAFTA need to be renegotiated, or do we need a change to U.S. hiring practices and wages? Comment below.

--Josh Herman

(Photo Credit: PublicDomainPictures.net)