The Shadow
As your representative, I am privileged to visit the White House for important events.
This year, I attended White House events celebrating major developments.
I attended a ceremony where President Trump announced new executive actions to reinvigorate America’s beautiful clean coal industry.
I was at the White House to witness President Trump sign my HALT Fentanyl Act.
Both were big steppingstones for our country’s energy security and national security.
Recently, I received a White House invitation to celebrate passage of the reconciliation bill known as the “big, beautiful bill.”
Beforehand though, Speaker Johnson, myself and six other members were invited to a meeting with Trump in the Oval Office.
Trump was running behind, but had his team bring us into the Oval Office while he was negotiating with Japan’s trade delegation.
Trump’s performance in the room was truly masterful. He showed a true command of the issues and figures at play.
It was a privilege to watch the master of the “Art of the Deal” at work. He repeatedly told the Japanese that they were getting a good deal (and they are) and that he would not make that deal if they were not such good friends to the United States.
As I stood there, I witnessed numbers changing in real time. Discussions included rice, semiconductors, automobiles and other items.
Trump got his deal!
One of Trump’s staffers leaned over to me and said: “Does this remind you of Commodore Perry?”
I immediately smiled and said: “Absolutely.”
In the 19th century, Commodore Perry opened up Japan for trade with the United States.
This too was a seminal moment in history.
Following the agreement, both sides prepared for a photo. Trump asked me and the other congressmen to join in a photo.
After the photo, Trump said: “Alright this is going to get out.” Then I watched as he and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reviewed a draft press release celebrating the deal.
Trump made suggestions, changes and additions before approving the release. Although Trump’s release was on a much grander scale, it was very similar to how I review my press releases and newsletters with my communications director, Jackson Krug.
Following this historic and special opportunity in the Oval Office, I unfortunately had to leave before the large House gathering to celebrate passage of the reconciliation bill.
I had previously committed to a speaking engagement nearby. When I got to that group, I explained my delay because of the special opportunity to be with Trump during the trade discussions.
I said to the group that you can hate Trump’s policies if you want. You can have different opinions. But I witnessed firsthand that Trump is a hardworking president who has firm command on all the issues.
The trade deal with Japan is a major win.
A big feature of the deal is that Japan will establish a $550 billion fund. The U.S. will be able to determine which industries to support and direct Japan to finance projects using the fund.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick says profits from these ventures will result in America reaping 90% of profits from these projects!
Japan will also increase its defense spending with U.S. firms by billions and purchase 100 Boeing planes.
The trade deal with Japan is one of multiple that Trump secured this year.
The very first trade deal Trump secured was with the United Kingdom (UK) in May.
According to the White House, the deal gives American companies and exports never seen before access to British markets.
The UK is also committed to reducing non-tariff barriers, such as regulations, that hurt American manufacturers and products.
Interestingly, a day after the UK deal was made, Governor Youngkin reportedly got on the phone to speak with AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca is a UK pharmaceutical company responsible for innovative medicines used by millions of patients globally.
Following numerous discussions with AstraZeneca, Governor Youngkin announced a deal where the company plans to invest $50 billion for a facility in Virginia!
It is said that AstraZeneca plans for the Virginia site to be its largest drug manufacturing facility in the world.
While it remains to be determined where exactly the site will be built, this project will create hundreds of jobs and support Virginia’s growing life sciences industry.
The Trump trade deals should be major boosts to the American economy, and more deals are on the way.
It was a special opportunity and I was honored to be present for the finalization of such an important deal.
If you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office. You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671. To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.morgangriffith.house.gov.
