Trump lays out 'America First' plan: Tariffs, taxes, border control, gender

Donald Trump US Congress address: The President said his administration has done more in the 43 days than most administrations accomplished in four years or eight years

"America is back," said US President Donald Trump in his first address to the Congress after his return to the White House. Trump hailed the decisions taken in the first 43 days of his second presidency, ranging from renaming of Gulf of Mexico, border control, cost cutting, and making America "anti-woke."

 

As he began his address on Tuesday (local time), Trump chanted "America is back," which was met by a loud cheer. Trump laid out his plans for the months ahead as he claimed that "America’s momentum is back" and the "American Dream is surging—bigger and better than ever before."

 

 

On border control

 

Trump highlighted his government's actions on border security, calling them "the most sweeping border and immigration crackdown in American history."

 

"The media and our friends in the Democrat Party kept saying, 'We needed new legislation, we must have legislation to secure the border,'" Trump said. "But it turns out all we needed was a new president." 

 

He thanked his border czar Tom Homan and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for their work. Trump also honoured Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student who was murdered by an immigrant. "America will never, ever forget her," Trump said, as Riley's mother and sister were seated in the gallery.

 

On reciprocal tariffs

 

Trump defended his reciprocal tariffs, set to take effect on April 2, stating that they will match tariffs imposed on US exports by foreign nations.

 

"If you don't make your product in America, however, under the Trump administration, you will pay a tariff, and in some cases, a rather large one," he said. "Other countries have used tariffs against us for decades, and now it's our turn."

 

He cited examples of tariff disparities with countries, including India and China. "India charges us auto tariffs higher than 100 per cent. China's average tariff on our products is twice what we charge them. And South Korea's average tariff is four times higher. Think of that. Four times higher. And we give so much help militarily and in so many other ways to South Korea, but that's what happens. This is happening by friend and foe. The system is not fair to the United States and never was," he said. 

 

"April 2, reciprocal tariffs kick in, and whatever they tariff us, we will tariff them," Trump said. "That's reciprocal. Back and forth. Whatever they tax us, we will tax them."

 

On tax cuts

 

Trump urged the Democrats to approve tax cuts "for everybody." "The next phase of our plan to deliver the greatest economy in history is for this Congress to pass tax cuts for everybody," he said, referencing the House GOP's budget plan. "They're in there, they're waiting for you to vote."

 

Addressing Democratic lawmakers, he said: "And I'm sure that the people on my right—I don't mean the Republican right but my right right here—I'm sure you're going to vote for those tax cuts. Because otherwise, I don't believe that people will ever vote you into office. So I'm doing a big favour by telling you that."

 

Trump stated his administration is "seeking permanent income tax cuts all across the board," which could cost at least $4.5 trillion over the next decade.

 

He also called on Congress to eliminate taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security benefits. Additionally, he proposed making interest payments on car loans tax-deductible, "but only if the car is made in America."

 

"By the way, we're going to have growth in the auto industry like nobody's ever seen," he said. "Plants are opening up all over the place. Deals are being made."

 

'Anti-woke' policies

 

Trump outlined various executive orders and policy changes enacted in the first six weeks of his second term, including banning transgender women from competing in women's sports.

 

"Our country will be woke no longer," he said, adding that workers should be hired based on "skill and competence, not race and gender."

 

"We've ended the tyranny of so-called 'Diversity, Equity and Inclusion' policies all across the entire federal government and, indeed, the private sector and our military," he stated.

 

Trump also called on Congress "to pass a bill permanently banning and criminalizing sex changes on children and forever ending the lie that any child is trapped in the wrong body."

 

"This is a big lie," he said. "And our message to every child in America is that you are perfect, exactly the way God made you."