Remarks During a Swearing-in Ceremony for David A. Perdue, Jr., as United States Ambassador to China and an Exchange With Reporters

The President. Well, thank you very much.

Proclamation Commemorating Victory Day for World War II

Before we begin, I'm pleased to announce that I have just signed a proclamation officially designating tomorrow, May 8, as Victory Day for World War II, commemorating the 80th anniversary of America's victory in the Second World War.

All over the globe, our World War II allies are celebrating this week, but the United States has never joined in with the proper celebration of our own, and the victory was mostly accomplished because of us. Whether you like it or not, we came into that war, and we won that war, and we had a lot of help from a lot of great people, lot of great allies. But I think there would be nobody that would say that we were not the dominant force in that war.

And we don't celebrate it, and I think that's a great disservice to the people that lost their lives and people that fought so hard in winning World War II.

And also, a separate Victory Day for World War I, and we're going to be doing that too.

It was American tanks and ships and trucks and airplanes and service members that vanquished the enemy 80 years ago this week. Without America, the liberation would never have happened, and so we have to pay tribute and homage to those people that gave us victory.

And we did something else that people don't talk about: We rebuilt the world. All of these countries that were destroyed, we helped them rebuild, and that's something that, for the most part, others did not do.

So, with this proclamation, we are hereby honoring the incredible sacrifice and heroism of millions of Americans who served in World War II, along with the unprecedented mobilization home front that helped deliver this great triumph. All Americans should take pride in what these incredible patriots have achieved.

So I just want to say happy Victory Day to all. So we are celebrating every year now. I can guarantee for 4 years, but I think, after that, we're going to have two victory days: World War I and World War II. This is World War II Victory Day.

In the future, we're going to have a major celebration of each day. We're not going to have days off, because we don't have enough days in the year. We have too many celebrations already. But we're going to have Victory Day and—for World War I, World War II. And without us, those wars would not have been won. I think we can say that—would not have been won. And I think it's time that the United States starts taking credit for their achievements.

And it's—I really believe it's a shame. You know, it's—I was watching for the last week, and I noticed France, I noticed other countries all getting ready for Victory Day. And I said, "That's sort of strange," because David just added something. He said, "We also rebuilt the world." And I didn't have that, and I should have that. That was a big factor.

But I noticed all of the countries—Russia—having a big day tomorrow. And by the way, they lost millions of people, and they were absolutely a major factor. But there was no major factor like us. We won the war, and we won it with the help of others. But everybody was celebrating but the United States of America, and I said, "You know, I think it's time that we start celebrating victory," and that's what we're doing.

Swearing-in Ceremony for David A. Perdue, Jr., as U.S. Ambassador to China

So, now, for the reason that we're here. But I asked David, "Would it be appropriate if I did that?" He said, "Absolutely." That's a big thing that we're doing on your swearing in—

Ambassador Perdue. Yes, sir.

The President. ——a very big thing.

But now for the real reason, and a reason that I'm very proud of, because he's been my friend for a long time: We're swearing in our next Ambassador to the People's Republic of China. What timing, David. What timing. Only you could have picked this timing.

Ambassador Perdue. It's your fault. [Laughter]

The President. I picked him a long time ago, but it just happened to come due on a pretty important date. But our friend, David Perdue—Senator David Perdue.

Joining David this afternoon are his incredible wife Bonnie—been at his side for a long time; their sons David and Blake; their daughter-in-law Danielle and daughter-in-law Charlotte; and their grandsons David, Hudson, and Jack.

That's a beautiful family. Congratulations.

Ambassador Perdue. Thank you. [Inaudible]

The President. I didn't think you had it in you, David. [Laughter] That's really something. That's pretty amazing. Look at that.

Our new ambassador brings to this position a lifetime of experience at the highest levels of business and politics, and he is at the highest level.

Over four decades in business, he rose to lead several major American corporations, including as the president and CEO of the footwear giant Reebok, where he did very well—he did a great job—and later CEO of Dollar General. Likewise, he did a great job.

David also lived and worked in Singapore and Hong Kong for several years, developing a wealth of experience negotiating and doing tremendous business deals for lots of different leaders that he worked with.

Following his tremendous business success as an executive, David stepped forward to serve America in government, and as we all know, in 2014 he was elected United States Senate in Georgia, and he was very popular, very respected from day one. He served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and was a tremendous partner to our administration during my first term. I dealt with him a lot, and he solved a lot of problems.

Now I'm entrusting David to help manage one of America's most complex and consequential foreign relationships, and I know he'll do a fantastic job.

As our lead diplomat in Beijing, David will work to promote American interest and stability in the Indo-Pacific; help stop the flood of Chinese fentanyl across our borders, which we have to do—we lost, I believe, 300,000 people last year; seek fairness and reciprocity for the American worker; ensure the safety of our citizens overseas; and promote peace in the region and in the world. And I'm confident that he will do an exceptional job—he's an exceptional man—and make our country very proud and make our country very safe too.

So, David, I want to congratulate you. This is as big as it gets, and the timing is unbelievable. But it's time that we have somebody like this. This is a very, very extraordinary man, and you're going to do a fantastic job.

And say hello to President Xi when you're over there, please. Okay?

Ambassador Perdue. [Laughter] Will do.

The President. Thank you very much.

Marco, would you do the service?

Secretary of State Marco A. Rubio. Yes—[inaudible]——

The President. Thank you.

Secretary Rubio. Why don't we come—and you'll stand here in the middle. Put your left hand, and raise your right.

Raise your right hand. All right.

I, state your name.

Ambassador Perdue. I, David Perdue.

Secretary Rubio. Do solemnly swear.

Ambassador Perdue. Do solemnly swear.

Secretary Rubio. That I will support and defend.

Ambassador Perdue. That I will support and defend.

Secretary Rubio. The Constitution of the United States.

Ambassador Perdue. The Constitution of the United States.

Secretary Rubio. Against all enemies.

Ambassador Perdue. Against all enemies.

Secretary Rubio. Foreign and domestic.

Ambassador Perdue. Foreign and domestic.

Secretary Rubio. That I will bear true faith.

Ambassador Perdue. That I will bear true faith.

Secretary Rubio. And allegiance.

Ambassador Perdue. And allegiance.

Secretary Rubio. To the same.

Ambassador Perdue. To the same.

Secretary Rubio. That I take this obligation freely.

Ambassador Perdue. That I take this obligation freely.

Secretary Rubio. Without any mental reservation.

Ambassador Perdue. Without any mental reservation.

Secretary Rubio. Or purpose of evasion.

Ambassador Perdue. Or purpose of evasion.

Secretary Rubio. And that I will well.

Ambassador Perdue. And that I will well.

Secretary Rubio. And faithfully discharge.

Ambassador Perdue. And faithfully discharge.

Secretary Rubio. The duties of the office.

Ambassador Perdue. The duties of the office.

Secretary Rubio. On which I am about to enter.

Ambassador Perdue. On which I am about to enter.

Secretary Rubio. So help me God.

Ambassador Perdue. So help me God.

Secretary Rubio. Congratulations, Mr. Ambassador.

Ambassador Perdue. Thank you.

The President. Go ahead, David. David, would you like to say something?

Ambassador Perdue. Mr. President, I am humbled to be in this office today. I love what you've done with this office. I like the Declaration of Independence.

The President. Yes.

Ambassador Perdue. I want the world to know that I know this man personally. He loves this country, and I am glad to be your man in China.

Thank you.

The President. Thank you, David. Thank you very much.

I think just for the sake of formality, here we go, David. Come on up. Come on up here, Bonnie. That's what it's all about, right?

[At this point, the President Trump posed for a photograph with Ambassador Perdue and his wife Bonnie while displaying the previously signed proclamation titled, "Victory Day for World War II, 2025."]

And now we send you on your way. Lots of luck. [Laughter]

Ambassador Perdue. Yes, sir. Yes, sir.

The President. We're right behind you, David.

Ambassador Perdue. I'm looking forward to seeing you over there, sir.

The President. Okay. Have a good time.

Ambassador Perdue. Thank you. God bless you.

The President. Thank you.

Ambassador Perdue. Thank you, sir.

The President. Congratulations, everybody.

Participants. Thank you.

The President. Congratulations.

Any questions, please?

[Several reporters spoke at once.]

Tariffs

Q. Mr. President, the Treasury Secretary just told lawmakers that a tariff exemption for certain baby items, like car seats, is under consideration. Will you exempt some products that families rely upon?

The President. I don't know. I'll think about it. I don't know. I really don't know. I want to——

Q. Are you concerned——

The President. I want to make it nice and simple. I'm not looking to have so many exemptions that nobody knows what it's doing. We have to make it very simple, but I'll take a look at it.

Yeah.

[Several reporters spoke at once.]

Please.

Federal Government Appropriations

Q. Mr. President, there are rumblings in Washington that some House Republican moderates are opposed to defunding Planned Parenthood in this year's reconciliation package. What do you say to those members, and are you supportive of——

The President. Well, I don't know yet. I have to see, because you're just telling me that for the first time. We'll work something out.

Fentanyl/China-U.S. Trade

Q. Mr. President, what are you hoping your representatives will get out of the talks in Switzerland on China?

And secondly, what does China need to do on fentanyl, specifically? What do you want to see them do?

The President. Well, they have to stop fentanyl from coming in. That will be a very big part. And I had that understanding with President Xi before I left last time, and we had a deal.

And he would have honored the deal, but when Biden came in, of course, nothing ever happened with him. He didn't know what the hell he was doing. But that would have saved a lot of lives.

That election cost us a lot of lives and a lot of heartache. The fact that we went through four years of misery, and you look at what's coming through the border and the job of getting murderers out of our country. So many—so many bad things happened—the wars. You wouldn't be having—you wouldn't have October 7. You wouldn't have Russia fighting with Ukraine. You wouldn't have had that disaster in Afghanistan. You wouldn't have had inflation. All these things would have not taken place. So sad to see what happened.

Any other questions?

[Several reporters spoke at once.]

Immigration Enforcement Actions

Q. Mr. President, are your administration sending migrants to Libya?

The President. I don't know. You'll have to ask Homeland Security, please.

Q. Mr. President——

Q. Would you support sending migrants to live—would you support sending migrants to Libya?

Russa/Ukraine

Q. ——Vice President Vance said Russia was asking for too much to end the war. Given that, do you still have confidence that once——

The President. When did he say that?

Q. Earlier this morning.

The President. Well, it's possible that's right. He may know some things that—because I've been dealing with this and some other things, but we are getting to a point where some decisions are going to have to be made. I'm not happy about it. I'm not happy about it.

Okay.

Q. Mr. President——

China-U.S. Trade

Q. Just to follow up, sir. On the talks in Switzerland. What do you expect to—what do you hope to come out of those?

The President. We'll see. I mean, look, it's—we were losing a trillion dollars a year. Now we're not losing anything, you know? That's the way I look at it.

We were losing with China, on trade, a trillion dollars a year—more, actually, 1.1, but let's say a trillion. You know what we're losing now? Nothing. That's not bad.

[Several reporters spoke at once.]

Gaza, Palestinian Territories

Q. Mr. President, are you planning a new cease-fire and hostage deal proposal for Israel—for Israel and Hamas before you head over the region next week?

The President. Where? Where?

Q. In Gaza—on——

The President. In Gaza? Well, we're going to see what's happening. The—a lot of talk going on about Gaza right now. You know that, right? So you'll be knowing probably in the next 24 hours

[Several reporters spoke at once.]

India/Pakistan/Conflict Zones

Q. Are you going to take diplomatic actions between the war in India and Pakistan? What's your position on that?

The President. Oh, it's so terrible. My position is, I get along with both. I know both very well, and I want to see them work it out. I want to see them stop, and hopefully, they can stop now. They've gone tit for tat, so hopefully, they can stop now.

But I know both. We get along with both the countries very well. Good relationships with both, and I want to see it stop. And if I can do anything to help, I will be there.

[Several reporters spoke at once.]

You know, by the way, unrelated—but I guess it's all related when you look at the world nowadays—Rwanda and the Congo: We've made a lot of progress in getting that disaster stopped. We've had a very talented person over there, and we've made a lot of progress with Rwanda and Congo fighting a very violent war, by the way.

[Several reporters spoke at once.]

China-U.S. Trade

Q. Mr. President, China says—China says in order to have substantive negotiations, you have to bring down your 145 percent tariffs. Are you open to pulling back your tariffs in order to get China to the negotiating table?

The President. No.

[Several reporters spoke at once.]

The President's Nomination of Ed Martin To Be U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia

Q. Mr. President, Senator Tillis has come out against Ed Martin as U.S. attorney. Do you have any response to that?

The President. Well, it's disappointing, because, you know, I know Ed. He's very talented. Crime is down in Washington, DC—street crime, violent crime—by 25 percent. And that's—people have seen. They've noticed a big difference. So I haven't—I didn't know that. But if he—if anybody voted against him, I feel very badly about it—only in the sense that, in this short period of time that he's been there, crime is down 25 percent in Washington, DC.

But that's really up to the Senators. If they, you know, feel that way, they have to vote the way they vote. They have to follow their heart, and they have to follow their mind.

Geographic Name Revisions

Q. Mr. President, were you referring to the Persian Gulf as the "Arabian Gulf"—are you going to make that announcement on your trip?

The President. They're going to ask me about that when I get there, and I'll have to make a decision.

Q. So you haven't made a decision yet?

The President. I don't want to hurt anybody's feelings. I don't know if feelings are going to be hurt.

Why I have a case right over here. It's called "Gulf of America," and I guess a lot of people get ideas from us. But the Gulf of America was something I thought should have been named a long time ago.

I'm going to be given a briefing on that. It was just done, and I'll make a decision.

Q. Is it the U.S. position that Iran can have an enrichment program as long as it doesn't reach a weapons grade?

The President. We haven't made that decision yet. We will, but we haven't made that decision.

Yes.

Q. Mr. President——

Q. Mr. President——

The President. Yes.

China-U.S. Trade

Q. China said the U.S. initiated the trade talks this week and that its position hasn't changed. Are you still confident you can reach a deal with China?

The President. They said we initiated?

Q. Yes.

The President. Well, I think they ought to go back and study their files. Okay? I do think that.

Go ahead. What—what were——

Semiconductor Manufacturing/Civilian Nuclear Programs/Houthi Rebel Group/U.S. Airstrikes in Yemen

Q. Mr. President, were you—are you planning to ease chip export restrictions to some of these Gulf countries and then also make announcements regarding the——

The President. We might be doing that, yes.

Q. And their nuclear programs—civilian nuclear programs?

The President. And it will be announced soon.

Q. And you're going to help them develop nuclear power?

The President. Well, we're going to take a look. We're going to take a look. But you know, we had really a very good—as you know, we had a very good outcome with the Houthis, and we honor their word. I mean, they made a commitment. And we dealt with other countries that were close to them and their surrogates. And we honor all of their words.

We'll see what happens, but I think—you know, I believe that, hopefully, that's over with and they'll leave the ships alone. You know, just leave those ships alone.

But so—we do. We take their word for it. It was—you know, we hit them very hard. They had a great capacity to withstand punishment. They took tremendous punishment. And, you know, you could say there's a lot of bravery there. That—it—I—it was amazing what they took.

But we honor their commitment and their word. They gave us their word that they wouldn't be shooting ships anymore, and we honor that.

I want to thank you all for being here.

I want to congratulate David Perdue and his family. He's going to need—be really an incredible Ambassador to China. I have no doubt about it. And we're going to work together very closely.

Thank you all very much. Thank you. Thank you, David.