Verdict with Ted Cruz - May 15, 2025


BONUS POD: Tariff Turnaround-Understanding Trump's Reset on U.S. Trade


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00:00:00.000 This is an iHeart Podcast.
00:00:02.660 Guaranteed human.
00:00:05.860 If you go back 30 years ago, he wasn't a smart person.
00:00:09.080 You go back to prime time with him, he wasn't a smart person.
00:00:12.020 But he was a very mean person.
00:00:14.100 Joe Biden's a very mean person.
00:00:15.640 People don't understand that.
00:00:17.260 They've ruined lives.
00:00:18.300 They've ruined families.
00:00:19.380 They've ruined so many people.
00:00:21.240 They could have ruined me.
00:00:22.200 They tried to ruin me.
00:00:23.540 But we're now in Air Force One, flying nicely to the Middle East, right?
00:00:27.260 You're listening to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson.
00:00:31.360 Good Thursday morning.
00:00:32.580 Nice to have you with us on the 47 Morning Update.
00:00:35.260 Ben Ferguson with you.
00:00:36.400 And we have two major stories for you this morning coming from the Trump administration.
00:00:41.740 First up, the media lied to you when they said there was no chance we'd get a deal with China anytime soon.
00:00:49.300 Some were even saying it wouldn't be done anytime this year.
00:00:52.780 Well, we now have a major announcement from the White House on a trade negotiation deal with China.
00:00:58.960 And I'll give you the details in just a moment.
00:01:01.200 Up next, what happened in the China trade deal that is affecting every American?
00:01:06.540 It's the 47 Morning Update, and it starts right now.
00:01:10.160 Story number one.
00:01:11.400 Doom and gloom.
00:01:12.480 That's what the media wanted you to believe, that a deal would not be done even this year with China.
00:01:18.160 Well, guess what?
00:01:18.980 The White House announced a significant breakthrough in trade negotiations with China, marking a positive step forward, resolving the ongoing trade tensions between the two nations.
00:01:32.480 When did this happen?
00:01:33.780 After two days of constructive talks in Geneva.
00:01:37.040 The U.S. Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, and the trade representative, Jameson Greer, reported substantial progress in discussions with Chinese Vice Premier.
00:01:47.880 And both sides have expressed optimism about the outcome.
00:01:52.060 I want you to hear what the Treasury Secretary had to say after the meeting on Sunday.
00:01:58.100 And I think that led to a great deal of the productivity we've seen.
00:02:01.960 But I can tell you that the talks were productive.
00:02:07.020 We had the Vice Premier, two Vice Ministers who were integrally involved, Ambassador Jameson and myself.
00:02:16.760 And I spoke to President Trump, as did Ambassador Jameson last night.
00:02:22.600 And he is fully informed of what is going on.
00:02:26.020 So there will be a complete briefing tomorrow morning.
00:02:29.780 Complete briefing from the White House.
00:02:32.360 And yet again, the media lied to you just days ago, saying this was going to take at least a year to get done if it was going to get done.
00:02:43.020 The U.S. Trade Representative in Geneva also talking about how important this was and how close they were to understanding each other in the trade negotiations.
00:02:53.720 I want to echo the Secretary's remarks with respect to the Swiss government.
00:02:57.360 They've been so welcoming, and they posted this.
00:02:59.960 And everything has gone off flawlessly, and we appreciate that.
00:03:03.580 And again, to the Chinese negotiators, Vice Premier Liu He, Vice Minister Li Chenggong, and Vice Minister Liao Min work very diligently.
00:03:12.260 And these are very tough negotiators.
00:03:14.000 A couple of them I know from before and have had past interactions with them.
00:03:18.160 And this was, as the Secretary pointed out, a very constructive two days.
00:03:23.260 It's important to understand how quickly we were able to come to agreement, which reflects that perhaps the differences were not so large as may be thought.
00:03:32.320 That being said, there was a lot of groundwork that went into these two days.
00:03:36.260 Just remember why we're here in the first place.
00:03:39.380 The United States has a massive $1.2 trillion trade deficit.
00:03:43.160 So the President declared a national emergency and imposed tariffs.
00:03:46.980 And we're confident that the deal we struck with our Chinese partners will help us to resolve, work toward resolving that national emergency.
00:03:54.480 Donald Trump made it clear from the very beginning, there is a trade emergency in the U.S.
00:04:00.500 having that massive $1.2 trillion trade deficit.
00:04:05.180 And that is exactly why the President declared it.
00:04:08.140 We're confident that the deal we struck with our Chinese partners will help us work towards resolving that national emergency.
00:04:16.260 Now, President Trump characterized the negotiations as a move towards a total reset of U.S.-China trade relations.
00:04:24.200 Emphasizing the importance of opening China's markets to American businesses.
00:04:29.200 Chinese officials also echoing this sentiment, describing the talks as candid and constructive.
00:04:35.900 And highlighting the establishment of a new consultation mechanism for ongoing economic dialogue, quote unquote.
00:04:44.540 Now, the announcement has already had a positive impact on the financial markets as well.
00:04:49.260 Stock futures rising and the U.S. dollar strengthening against other currencies.
00:04:54.200 This development is seen as a hopeful sign for American farmers, retailers, and consumers who have been affected by the tariff escalations.
00:05:04.140 Further details of the agreement are expected to be disclosed in a joint statement today,
00:05:10.800 which will provide more insight into the specific measures agreed upon to ease trade tensions
00:05:16.720 and foster economic cooperation between the U.S. and China.
00:05:20.740 Now, if there's one thing that's very clear now, Donald Trump really is the best negotiator in the world.
00:05:28.320 And this will make the media and liberals lose their mind because they don't really care about Americans.
00:05:34.000 They care about Donald Trump being a failure at all costs.
00:05:37.560 And yet again, he proved them wrong.
00:05:39.800 Now, story number two.
00:05:40.960 Now, the other big story is the fact that we now have a significant movement when it comes to the tariffs with China.
00:05:49.060 The Trump White House has just posted a statement on the U.S. and China's historic trade deal, putting it this way.
00:05:56.180 American tariffs on China were at 145 percent.
00:06:00.040 Now they're at 30 percent.
00:06:02.380 China's tariffs on America were 125 percent, now at 10 percent.
00:06:08.140 And Donald Trump was the one that made all of this possible.
00:06:11.640 White House Press Secretary Caroline Levy saying it this way to Fox News.
00:06:15.820 First off, your reaction, and what could you tell us about the China deal that has tariffs dropping from 145, 125, respectively, to 30 and 10?
00:06:26.520 This is an extraordinary first step in the right direction.
00:06:30.500 And thanks to the strength of President Trump, Secretary Besant and Ambassador Greer were able to cut this initial deal with China.
00:06:37.720 China agreed to reduce their tariffs on the United States by 115 percent.
00:06:42.480 They also agreed to continue having discussions about opening Chinese markets to American-made products and goods.
00:06:49.040 And they also agreed to continue seriously discussing the grave impact that Chinese-produced fentanyl is having right here in the United States and our people.
00:06:57.440 So this is a great first step for the American public.
00:07:00.260 And Secretary Besant, Ambassador Greer, and, of course, President Trump will continue negotiations with China so we can hopefully inevitably get to a fair and comprehensive big trade deal.
00:07:10.060 Now, this is going to be a pause for 90 days.
00:07:13.400 And I want you to hear exactly what the White House said to me earlier today.
00:07:17.540 This is President Trump, quote, securing another historic deal.
00:07:21.260 Today, on the heels of the brand new deal with the United Kingdom,
00:07:24.780 President Trump reached an agreement with China to reduce China's tariffs and eliminate retaliation.
00:07:30.300 Also, retain a U.S. baseline tariff on China and set a path for future discussions to open market access for American exports.
00:07:38.780 You just heard the White House say that on TV.
00:07:41.680 Today, the United States issued the first joint statement on trade in many years with China after successfully negotiating over the weekend in Geneva, Switzerland.
00:07:51.260 The White House says, quote,
00:07:52.460 Both parties affirm the importance of the critical bilateral economic and trade relationship between both countries and the global economy, saying this.
00:08:02.460 For far too long, unfair trade practices and America's massive trade deficit with China have fueled the offshoring of American jobs and the decline of our manufacturing sector.
00:08:14.800 In reaching an agreement, the White House says, the United States and China will each lower their tariffs by 115 percent while retaining an additional 10 percent tariff.
00:08:25.880 Other U.S. measures will remain in place.
00:08:28.500 Both sides will take these actions by May 14th of 2025.
00:08:33.700 This trade deal is a win for the United States, demonstrating President Donald Trump's unparalleled expertise in securing deals that benefit the American people.
00:08:44.860 Then the White House said this.
00:08:46.700 The Chinese action saying, quote,
00:08:48.900 China will remove the retaliatory tariffs it announced since April the 4th and will also suspend or remove the non-tariff countermeasures taken against the United States since April the 2nd.
00:09:00.900 China will also suspend its initial 34 percent tariff from the United States that it announced on April 4th for 90 days.
00:09:09.620 It will remain at 10 percent tariff during the period of the pause.
00:09:13.660 And then they say under American action, the United States will remove the additional tariff it imposed on China on April 8th and April 9th,
00:09:21.160 but will retain all duties imposed on China prior to April 2nd, including Section 301 tariffs, Section 232 tariffs,
00:09:29.800 and tariffs imposed in response to the fentanyl national emergency invoked pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act
00:09:39.720 and also the most favored nation's tariffs.
00:09:42.560 They went on to say the United States will suspend their 34 percent reciprocal tariff imposed on April 2nd for 90 days.
00:09:49.160 And the 10 percent tariff that will remain in place is set for a fair baseline that encourages domestic production,
00:09:56.780 strengthens our supply chains, and ensures that American trade policy supports American workers first instead of undermining them.
00:10:04.680 By imposing reciprocal tariffs, President Trump is ensuring our trade policy works for the American economy
00:10:10.620 and addresses our national emergency brought on by our growing and persistent trade deficits
00:10:16.400 and levels the playing field for American workers and our producers.
00:10:21.080 Unlike previous administrations, the White House said President Trump took a tough, uncompromising stance on China
00:10:28.420 to protect American interests and stop unfair trade practices.
00:10:33.440 They also said this is working towards a rebalancing.
00:10:36.620 When these changes come into effect, the White House says, both nations agree to establish a mechanism
00:10:41.920 to continue important discussions about trade economics.
00:10:45.900 The U.S. goods trade deficit with China was $294 billion in 2024, the largest with any trade partner.
00:10:54.680 This agreement works towards addressing these imbalances to deliver real,
00:10:58.820 lasting benefits to American workers, American farmers, and American businesses.
00:11:04.360 The White House saying this, finally, as our nations continue these discussions,
00:11:09.440 China will be represented by He Lefeng, the Vice Premier of the State Council.
00:11:14.820 The United States will be represented by Scott Bessent, the Secretary of Treasury,
00:11:19.000 and Jasmine Greer, United States Trade Representative.
00:11:22.220 They also said addressing the fentanyl crisis is the most important matter as well,
00:11:26.880 as the United States and China will take aggressive action to stem the flow of fentanyl
00:11:31.580 and other precursors from China to elicit drug production in North America.
00:11:37.540 If you look at what the President has been able to do in just the last couple of days,
00:11:43.160 here it is.
00:11:44.340 In just seven days, President Trump has secured a historic U.K. trade deal,
00:11:50.660 a massive China trade deal,
00:11:53.320 the release of an American hostage,
00:11:56.060 the ceasefire with India and Pakistan,
00:11:58.520 the ceasefire with the Houthis.
00:12:01.100 And this is exactly what so many Americans voted for,
00:12:04.860 and Donald Trump paying off on his promise to put Americans first and protecting all of us.
00:12:10.740 Thank you for listening to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson.
00:12:14.900 Please make sure you hit subscribe wherever you're listening to this podcast right now.
00:12:20.120 And for more in-depth news, also subscribe to the Ben Ferguson Podcast,
00:12:24.660 and we will see you back here tomorrow.
00:12:28.520 This is an iHeart Podcast.
00:12:31.320 Guaranteed Human.