State of the Union: Trump heralds ‘new moment’ for US
Donald Trump has declared a new ‘American moment’ of prosperity and opportunity is upon the US.
Donald Trump has declared a new “American moment” of prosperity and opportunity is upon the US, in an upbeat and unifying State of the Union address, his first as US President.
Mr Trump said a strong economy and tax cuts were bringing the American dream back to life for workers, those he once dubbed “the forgotten people”.
“This is our new American moment,” Mr Trump told a packed US congress yesterday.
“There has never been a better time to live the American dream. Together we are rediscovering the American way … no matter where you have been or where you come from, this is your time.”
In a broad-ranging speech, Mr Trump called for political unity, laid out a comprise plan on immigration and border security, and called for ambitious infrastructure reform. He unveiled a $US1.5 trillion ($1.85 trillion) investment plan for new highways and railways.
The President heralded record-low unemployment for African-American and Hispanic-Americans and said his tax cuts meant an average family of four making $US75,000 a year would see their tax bill reduced by half to $US2000 a year.
“Tonight I want to talk about what kind of future we are going to have, what kind of nation we are going to be — all of us, together as one team, one people, and one American family,” he said.
Mr Trump painted a picture of a country regaining its prosperity, pride and place in the world. He did not make any mention of problems facing the administration, such as the Russia investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller or the deadlock with Democrats over key parts of his reform agenda.
“I call upon all of us to set aside our differences, to seek out common ground and to summon the unity we need to deliver for the people,” Mr Trump said.
He saved his toughest language for foreign policy and security challenges, describing China and Russia as rivals who challenged US values. “Around the world we face rogue regimes, terrorist groups, and rivals like China and Russia that challenge our interests, our economy and our values,” he said. “In confronting these dangers we know that weakness is the surest path to conflict and unmatched power is the surest means of our defence.”
Mr Trump said the US was waging a “campaign of maximum pressure” on the rogue state of North Korea, whose “reckless pursuit of nuclear missiles could very soon threaten our homeland”.
“Past experience has taught us that complacency and concessions only invite aggressions and provocation,” he said, referring to the actions of past administrations.
On terror, Mr Trump said Islamic State had been defeated and announced that the Guantanamo Bay military prison would be kept open to prevent released terrorists from meeting US troops again on the battlefield.
Amid expectations that Mr Trump would soon levy new trade sanctions on China, he reinforced his “America First” trade message but did not mention China by name. “America has finally turned the page on decades of unfair trade deals that sacrificed our prosperity and shipped away our companies, our jobs and our nation’s wealth,” he said. “The era of economic surrender is over. From now on we expect trading relationships to be fair and to be reciprocal.”
The President said the US economy was on the move again, delivering prosperity and building a “safe, strong and proud” America. “Since the election we have created 2.4 million new jobs, including 200,000 new jobs in manufacturing alone,” he said. “After years of wage stagnation, we are finally seeing rising wages.” He said the stockmarket and business confidence were at all-time highs.
Mr Trump said his $US1.5 trillion tax cut package would deliver more money to workers. “Our massive tax cuts provided tremendous relief for the middle class and small businesses,” he said. “Since we passed the cuts, roughly three million workers have already got tax cut bonuses.”
As he spoke, Republicans cheered while Democrats largely watched stony-faced. He urged Democrats to agree to a four-point immigration package, a deal that will need to pass within weeks to prevent another government shutdown. Mr Trump offered to give 1.8 million children of illegal immigrants a pathway to citizenship in return for funding for a border wall, the end of the visa lottery and an end to chain migration. The Democrats oppose the last three but have been pushing for a permanent solution for young immigrants.
Mr Trump called on the Democrats to work with Republicans to agree on the $US1.5 trillion investment plan to renew the nation’s aged infrastructure. “We will build gleaming new roads, bridges, highways, railways and waterways across our land,” he said. “And we will do it with American heart, American hands and American grit.”
An infrastructure plan has not yet been presented to congress, with discussions stalling over funding.
Cameron Stewart is also US contributor for Sky News Australia.
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