Administration of Donald J. Trump, 2020


Remarks Prior to a Working Dinner With President Jair Messias Bolsonaro of Brazil and an Exchange With Reporters in Palm Beach, Florida

March 7, 2020


President Trump. Hello, everybody. Thank you very much. Thank you. He's doing a fantastic job, a great job. Brazil loves him, and the U.S.A. loves him. Great job. Thank you very much, Mr. President.

Brazil-U.S. Trade

Q. Mr. President, will you continue keeping tariffs off of Brazil on steel and aluminum?

President Trump. We have a very good relationship as to tariffs. And we've helped Brazil, and we want to always help Brazil. And the friendship is probably stronger now than it's ever been.

Q. So no new tariffs?

President Trump. I don't make any promises. No promises.

The President's Campaign Rallies/Coronavirus Containment Efforts

Q. Sir, for the—[inaudible]—sir, given the announcement about the coronavirus at the CPAC, are you going to continue hold rallies, and are you taking any precautions with the White House staff?

President Trump. Well, we'll have tremendous rallies. And we're doing very well. And we've done a fantastic job with respect to that subject on the virus. Yes.

Q. How concerned are you that coronavirus——

President Trump. And we've had tremendous cooperation with other countries and all over the world. And we've made it very, very tough. Very strong. Very stringent borders.

Coronavirus Outbreak/Domestic Containment Efforts

Q. But are you concerned that it is getting closer to the White House in DC?

President Trump. Say it. What?

Q. On free trade——

Q. Are you concerned that the virus is getting closer to the White House and DC? President Trump. No, I'm not concerned at all. No, I'm not. No, we've done a great job. Thank you very much. I think you're going to be invited inside for a minute.

NOTE: The President spoke at 7:28 p.m. at the Mar-a-Lago Club. The transcript was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on March 8.


Categories: Interviews With the News Media : Exchanges with reporters :: Palm Beach, FL; Meetings With Foreign Leaders and International Officials : Brazil, President Bolsonaro.

Locations: Palm Beach, FL.

Names: Bolsonaro, Jair Messias.

Subjects: Brazil : President; Brazil : Relations with U.S.; Diseases : Coronavirus, domestic prevention efforts; Florida : President's visits.

DCPD Number: DCPD202000140.