The next phase of America’s comeback

The next phase of America's comeback Last month, President Donald J. Trump called upon Congress and State and local governments to embrace his Infrastructure Initiative, which aims to spur $1.5 trillion in investment through a combination of Federal funding and incentivized non-Federal funding. Today, the President travels to Ohio to make his case directly to the American people. He will visit an expansive training site for members of the International Union of Operating Engineers, a diversified trade union that includes heavy equipment operators, mechanics and surveyors, and stationary engineers. Here is what he will tell Ohioans: This Administration is fighting every day to protect, defend, and grow American jobs. That includes eliminating a record number of job-killing regulations. We have unleashed American energy independence – foreign energy imports are at their lowest level in nearly 40 years. The next phase of America's economic comeback is to rebuild America's crumbling infrastructure. We will breathe new life into our run-down highways, railways, and waterways, and we will transform our roads and bridges—all under budget and ahead of schedule. Watch President Trump's speech to Ohio live at 2:00 p.m. ET. Learn more: How fixing infrastructure will build a stronger economy Fixing bad trade deals Since the U.S.-Korea Trade Agreement (KORUS) went into effect in 2012, the U.S. trade in goods deficit has grown from $13.2 billion to $22.9 billion—an increase of 73 percent. In July of last year, at the direction of President Trump, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer began negotiations with South Korea to amend KORUS. As a result, South Korea is doubling the number of American automobiles that can enter its market each year using U.S. safety standards from 25,000 to 50,000 per manufacturer. South Korea also agreed to address its onerous and costly customs procedures that have hindered U.S. exports, as well as limit its steel imports into the United States with a product-specific quota. "We want to make a deal that's fair for the United States and fair for South Korea," President Trump said. And thanks to Trade Rep. Lighthizer's work, the Administration has done just that. Learn more about how President Trump is keeping his promise to fix the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement. The next generation of conservative leaders Attendees at the White House "Generation Next" forum last week included millennials who are small business owners, farmers, journalists, policy analysts, and leaders on college campuses. Charlie Kirk, founder of the conservative nonprofit Turning Point USA, led a Q&A with President Trump in front of about 150 of these young men and women. A few of President Trump's quotes from the conversation: In response to a question about free speech on college campuses: "I think the numbers are actually much different than people think. I think we have a lot of support." On the economy: "You know, we were at about 1.2 percent GDP. We've now hit 3, and another 3, and a 3.2. . . . Our businesses are flourishing." On a former classmate who demonstrates the importance of vocational schools: "That person could fix an engine or a motor so—he was incredible. Blind folded." More: President Trump Welcomes the Next Generation of Conservative Leaders Photo of the Day President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at a speech on the opioid crisis | March 19, 2018 (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks) POTUS TODAY Today, President Trump travels to Richfield, Ohio, to deliver remarks on the Infrastructure Initiative.