Getty President Donald Trump waves as he arrives at the 72nd US Women's Open Golf Championship at Trump National Golf Course in Bedminster, New Jersey, July 16.
President Donald Trump is trying to make it known that he’s for real when it comes to building the manufacturing job market back up after historic job losses in the industry.
Trump’s director of media affairs told reporters at a hotel near one of his golf courses in Bedminster, New Jersey on Sunday that the week of July 17 to July 23 will be known as “Made in America” week nationwide.
Dedicating an entire week to American-made products is in line with Trump’s promise to bring back manufacturing jobs in the United States that have been lost due to improved technology. In doing so, he’s decreased regulations on companies and is renegotiating many trade deals with foreign nations.
Here’s what you need to know
1. An Event is Being Held on the White House Lawn on Monday
GettyTrump on June 30.
The week kicks off July 17 with a showcase of American-made items on the South Lawn of the White House. The product showcase will feature “crafts and other items created in each of the 50 states,” The Washington Post reported..
“This week the Trump administration will honor the amazing American workers and companies who have products that are made in America,” White House Director of Media Affairs Helen Ferre told reported July 16. “(America sets) the world standard for quality and craftsmanship.”
The showcase and ceremony is available for live stream and can be accessed at the White House’s live events page.
2. Trump’s Expected to Make a Declaration on Wednesday
GettyTrump on June 30.
On July 19, it’s expected that Trump will make a declaration when he delivers remarks. That speech is supposed to touch on the importance of keeping jobs in America as well as customers and consumers purchasing from those who stay domestic.
Trump will be in Norfolk, Virginia attending the commissioning of the USS Gerald R. Ford. It’s the first vessel in the U.S. Navy’s new line of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.
As The Washington Post reported, “Made in America” week comes after Trump nears the decision on a number of trade topics, such as investigations on steel and aluminum by the Commerce Department.
3. Critics Have Accused Trump of Hypocrisy
GettyPresident Donald Trump on June 29.
While Trump, a businessman, is making an effort to shed light to the shortage of skilled labor, he’s also receiving criticism for being hypocritical.
Some have argued that although he’s pushed for American-made products in the past, many of Trump’s own products from his and his family members’ businesses are made overseas. The list includes products that were sold under his own name and also daughter Ivanka Trump‘s clothing line and shows, ABC News reported.
Many of the Trump Organization’s products are outsourced to countries such as Bangladesh and China.
When Ferre announced “Made in America” week, she was questioned on whether or not Trump and Ivanka’s companies would make more products in the U.S.. She answered that she would “get back to you on that.”
4. Media Reports Say the Reason for the Decision Is Because of the Nation’s Tax Code
President Trump on June 23.
According to The Post article, Trump and his advisers are hoping that “Made in America” week will show the need to “overhaul the nation’s tax code. By highlighting the state of manufacturing the U.S., advisers told The Post that he hopes to “substantially reduce to corporate tax rate.”
Reports say that members of Trump’s cabinet will start working with lawmakers on legislation to reform the tax code in short order, and they hope it will find its way to Capitol Hill within the next month.
There are other theme weeks planned for the coming months. The White House announced that July 24 kicks off “American Heroes” week while July 31 starts the week of the “American Dream.”
5. ‘Made in America’ Week Comes After a Tumultuous Week at the White House
GettyDonald Trump Jr. at the 2017 White House Easter egg roll.
The decision to coin “Made in America” week comes after a long week at the White House.
On July 8 it was reported that Trump’s eldest son, Donald J. Trump Jr., had willingly organized a meeting with a Russian lawyer to obtain potentially damming information on Hillary Clinton and her presidential campaign.
Trump Jr. released a strand of emails confirming that he met with the lawyer. On July 15, it was reported that Trump’s presidential campaign paid Trump Jr.’s lawyer $50,000 just two weeks before he was set to meet with the foreign lawyer.
The result of the new reports are that the 45th president’s approval rating has decreased to a 70-year low. According to a Washington Post/ABC News poll released July 16, just 36 percent of American’s polled approve of his job performance just over six months into his job. That’s down 6 percentage points from where he was at on his 100th day in office.
