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Tim Wildman hosts Today's Issues on the American Family Radio Network
AFA action.net welcome to today's issues, offering a Christian response to the issues of the day. Here's your host, Tim Wildmon, president of the American Family Association.
>> Tim Wildmon: Hey, good morning, everybody, and welcome to Today's Issues on the American Family Radio Network for this Monday, May 12, 2025. joining me in studio is Fred Jackson. Good morning, Fred.
>> Fred Jackson: Good morning, Tim.
>> Tim Wildmon: And Chris Woodward.
>> Christopher Woodward: Good morning.
>> Tim Wildmon: Ed Battagliano is, not here next two or three days, so if you're wondering where's brother Ed? We don't know.
>> Fred Jackson: Taking a long weekend.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, Just, he's relaxing, he's chilling, he's enjoying life. He's. I don't know what he's doing.
>> Fred Jackson: I was going to make a stereotypical comment, but I won't.
>> Tim Wildmon: You mean about something really dear.
>> Fred Jackson: Just, Just pasta for three days?
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, that is stereotypical. It's, it's. That's okay. Italians like their food. right. Well, a lot of people like their food. Right?
>> Donald Trump: Yeah.
>> Christopher Woodward: They're called Baptists.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah. All right. So anyway, it'll be back in a few days. we wish him rest and relax. And we, again, thank you for joining us here on the program, today. And we got a lot to talk about.
The last living American hostage by Hamas is expected to be released today
We had a. Wow. We. What's going on right now, at.
>> Fred Jackson: This very moment, we are waiting. We have various networks up on our TV here because just moments before we came into the studio, it was announced that Israeli vehicles are on their way to a transfer point and, and they are going to pick up Eden Alexander. He is an American, who is one of the hostages still alive, that he's been there Since October of 2023, held by Hamas terrorists. This is a deal that apparently was worked out directly between the White House and direct negotiations with Hamas. So this young man who has been held, all of this time, is apparently about to release. We are told it could occur at the bottom of the clock. So 10:30 central time. So we're going to be watching for that very carefully. His parents, his family members were flown to Israel over the weekend, I believe yesterday. They are already celebrating and praising President, Trump for being, the intermediary that's apparently bringing about this release of this hostage.
>> Tim Wildmon: Is that the only American remaining? Well, do you know that among the hostages that are still alive?
>> Christopher Woodward: Right.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah.
>> Christopher Woodward: The last living American hostage has been the term this morning.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah. There are 59. And, this is the way it is described. There are 59 hostages still being held, but only about 20 are alive.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay. Now they've been held since October of 2023.
>> Fred Jackson: That's correct.
>> Tim Wildmon: So you're talking about a year and a half. Yes. These people have been held hostage.
>> Fred Jackson: Yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: I, can't remember in my lifetime a political, hostage is being held this long anywhere. Maybe I'm, you know, I'm not. The Iranian hostages that were held. The Americans, remember back during, in the late. In 79, I guess it was, they were, that was what, three or four months maybe, something like that?
>> Fred Jackson: It's three or four months, but a totally different situation. I mean, let's face it, Israel has been bombing Gaza where these hostages are being held. The hostages that have been released so far. Talk about just horrific conditions, living in these tunnels, underneath Gaza. And what do you think?
>> Tim Wildmon: Hamas. Ah. Why do you think Hamas continues to hold hostages? Release some and then keep some? Why do you think that is?
>> Fred Jackson: Well, I, I think it's part of it is the reason they carried out this massacre in October of 2023. They hate the Israeli people. they are, they, they, they want Israel out of Israel. That's, that's the bottom line. They want control of all of that area. And so this is all part of it. and of course, I don't think, I think Hamas underestimated Israel's resolve not to stop this war until it is over to Israel's satisfaction.
>> Fred Jackson: They thought the world community which has condemned Israel were well aware of that, including on university campuses in this country. They thought Israel would cave. And, and Israel has said no, we're not putting up with this anymore. We will not stop until Hamas surrenders.
>> Christopher Woodward: Yeah. It has been 583 days since October 7, 2023 to today. according to the State Department, the Iranians held the Americans hostage for 444 days.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, well, the news is today. the, last living American hostage by Hamas, is being released in the next couple of hours.
>> Fred Jackson: We'll be watching.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah. Yeah. All right, so, we will see what happens there. And President Trump, in the meantime, he is en Route.
>> Christopher Woodward: Yes, he's going to the Middle East.
>> Tim Wildmon: Maybe not right now, but.
>> Christopher Woodward: Well, yeah, he will be hours.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, he's going to the Middle East.
>> Christopher Woodward: Going to the Middle East.
>> Fred Jackson: Going to Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates. he's surprisingly, he's not right now. He's not scheduled to make a stop in Israel. and he's going to Qatar, which gives rise to another big story today.
Cotter wants to give Boeing 747 800 to President Trump
Cotter wants to give, the United states a Boeing 747 800. That's making a lot of news.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, I had one of those. I don't know. They're somewhat overrated.
>> Christopher Woodward: Yeah, he was asked about it this morning at a press conference, and he said, well, it wasn't a gift to me directly. It was a gift to the Defense Department.
>> Tim Wildmon: So, but we. But now, okay, people may be going, what are you talking about? Qatar. The government has a Boeing plane that is palatial, like the. That's what they call it, a, flying palace.
>> Christopher Woodward: Yes. I have posted a picture of this.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay. So bought with, obviously, oil money. The. Yeah, those people have.
>> Fred Jackson: They put it on their visa over there.
>> Tim Wildmon: And, And so they, any. So they. They're wanting to give that to President Trump, right?
>> Fred Jackson: Yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay. Because. Is there a particular reason for that? And a. Can a president accept gifts like that, or is it going to be donated to the US Government instead of.
>> Fred Jackson: Well, I think the reason it has been initiated because President Trump has complained, ah, openly, angrily when his. During his first term in office, he ordered a, ah, new set of Air Force Ones, 747s from Boeing. because the existing Air Force ones right now are about 40 years old, he wants to replace those. President Trump has said he's very frustrated that Boeing is taking so long to do this. I think because of his open complaints against Boeing, against Boeing that Carter said, hey, we have a spare 747, 800. That's pretty nice. It's sitting over here. I think it's only 10 or 11 years old. why don't you take that? Now, here's what the President has said. He is saying the Defense Department would accept this 747from Cotter. It would act as Air Force One for the rest of Trump's term in office, and then he would turn it over to a foundation. Now, that is what is being said publicly about this.
>> Tim Wildmon: Now, do you know, would they paint it, to conform to, you know, what we. Accustomed to seeing with Air Force One with the blue. And the president of the United States and all that.
>> Fred Jackson: Well, as far as I know, that's what would happen now. Now, you remember Trump has wanted to put new colors on Air Force One.
>> Tim Wildmon: I didn't know this.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: Really? When did this happen?
>> Fred Jackson: Well, I don't know if you've seen any news conferences lately, but he's had a M model of how he wants to paint the new Air Force One. It's. It's more red, white, and blue. Yeah, kind of. Kind of a combination.
>> Tim Wildmon: so that's the thing about President Trump. He rarely throws a curveball, you know, so. So, you know, he's usually, you know, pretty bland. His everyday routine.
>> Fred Jackson: Yes. No, this. This new. If. If he accepts this plane and he's talking this morning like he is accepting the deal, it would have to be totally reconfigured to meet security protocol.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah.
>> Fred Jackson: For Air Force One.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah.
>> Christopher Woodward: Steve did cut us, some sound, just a moment ago from the President himself, talking about the plane, if you want to hear it.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay, sure, I do.
Qatar reportedly gave President Trump a private jet as a personal gift
>> Christopher Woodward: Clip 12.
>> Jeff Chamblee: You that luxury jet as a personal gift to you. Why not leave it behind? Why not?
>> Donald Trump: Only. Only abc. Well, a few of you would let me tell you, you should be embarrassed asking that question. They're giving us a free jet. I could say, no, no, no, don't give us. I want to pay you a billion, or 400 million or whatever it is. Or I could say, thank you very much. You know, there was an old golfer named Sam Snead. Did you ever hear of him? He won 82 tournaments. He was a great golfer. And he had a motto. When they give you a putt, you say, thank you very much. You pick up your ball and you walk to the next hole. A lot of people are stupid. They say, no, no, I insist on putting it. Then they putt it, and they miss it, and their partner gets angry at them. You know what? Remember that, Sam Snead. When they give you a putt, you pick it up and you walk to the next hole and you say, thank you very much.
>> Jeff Chamblee: Respect, mister. As a businessman, some people may look at this and say, have you ever been given a gift where worth millions of dollars and then not receive that?
>> Donald Trump: It's not a gift to me. It's a gift to the Department of Defense. And you should know better because you've been embarrassed enough and so has your network. Your network is a disaster. ABC is a disaster. Here is the bill.
>> Fred Jackson: He walked out of the room.
>> Christopher Woodward: Yes. Now I have. Like I said, I posted pictures of the inside of this plane and it's on our Today's Issues Facebook page. One of the captions shows a very gold, golden room, and it says a glimmering corridor inside the plane that jives with Trump's famous love for anything and everything gold. If you've ever seen a movie that involved, ah, you know, a fictional president and an Air Force One, a lot of the interior does appear to be something you would expect to see inside an Air Force One.
>> Tim Wildmon: Well, I don't know where the reporter was asking that question, but the reporters do often insinuate wrongdoing, inaccurately or without having full knowledge or without, especially with President Trump, put him on the defensive before he ever, you know, gets, a chance to say anything. But he did. He was talking about this plane. Okay, so if, in fact, I don't think it's, legal to. For, a country to give personal gifts to the president or any other politician in the United States, maybe there's a limit. Maybe $1,000 or. I don't know what the. What the case may be. Maybe, you know, something small would be acceptable, but you can't give, they can't give an airplane to the president, at least right now. Maybe when he is a president, they could give him an airplane. But the idea of a gift of that nature, because it would. The idea is to avoid conflict, of interest and to avoid. Okay, they're going to give me personally a big gift so that I will do them favors on tariffs, for example, or something like that. So you want to avoid that kind of a look. so. But she was saying, have you been able. Didn't she say, have you been able to give it? Given a personal gift?
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: Did she say that? Okay, well, then, see, she's accusing him of acting illegally.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: So that's why he got offended and said, you're fake news.
>> Fred Jackson: And, and that's been the spin this morning. And the lead up, as the story has been building, is that, the president is putting himself in a quid pro quo situation where now he owes Cotter something.
>> Tim Wildmon: Listen, President Trump doesn't even need a plane. No, he's got Trump one, or whatever it's called that he uses, when he isn't president, which is very nice, private way to travel. So, anyway, as he said right there, it would be a gift from Qatar to the United States. What did he say to the, Defense Department, who I assume maybe maintains the, government, fleet of airplanes?
>> Fred Jackson: Right, the Air Force.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah. So anyway, so that was classic Trump.
>> Christopher Woodward: I would be Curious as to how many stories that reporter and the network itself, abc, did on, all the stories about Joe Biden and his children taking money from countries while he was in office.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, that would be, it'd be interesting to know all. Right. You're listening to Today's Issues. That's the name of this program on the American Family Radio Network.
Tim: President Trump mentioned Iran as part of his Middle East itinerary
Tim, Fred and Chris, now, why is President Trump, about to leave to go to the Middle East? Fred, do we know that question?
>> Fred Jackson: Well, they're going to be talking there about Iran. He mentioned this this morning, part of the itinerary.
>> Tim Wildmon: You mean while he's in Qatar? While he's in or where is he going?
>> Fred Jackson: He's going Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia first, I think Qatar, after that and then United of Emirates. Those are the three that are on the schedule right now.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay.
>> Fred Jackson: there's going to be, he did say, that high on the agenda is certainly Iran. Trump has said we will not allow Iran to have nuclear weapons. And so, you know, it's, that's, that's part of the discussion. There's probably more than that. But also he said during his news conference, was just wrapped up a few moments ago that, this Thursday at the moment, there is a meeting scheduled in Turkey, in Istanbul, between, Zelensky, the Ukrainian president and the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin. now Zelensky has said he's going. I don't think there's a firm commitment from Putin yet, but the President says that, that he, believes there is greater potential today for at least a 30 day ceasefire in that war. Now, what we were told this morning is that apparently in the last week, Germany and a few other European nations have said that unless Putin agrees to this ceasefire that, they will start putting extra sanctions on Russia. So the pressure is on Russia to agree to this ceasefire at least, and then if this happens, this will be historic, that Putin and Zelensky will meet actually in a room face to face. Trump was asked, while you're over there in that part of the world, would you go and meet with them? He said, if the situation is proper, I wouldn't mind flying up there to Istanbul and sitting down with, with those other two leaders. M. That would be something.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah. Anything else on that story?
>> Christopher Woodward: No.
>> Tim Wildmon: So Zelensky and Putin, Ukraine, Russia, are scheduled to or may meet.
>> Fred Jackson: They have been, they have been invited by Erdogan. Okay, I got you ahead of Turkey to come there. We are told this morning that Zelensky has agreed to that meeting.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay.
>> Fred Jackson: We're not firm yet on whether Putin would send a delegation or he would go himself.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, I would doubt he would go himself. But we'll see, we'll see what happens, see what happens there, with that situation. but you know, again, President Trump's, that's a, he keeps a very demanding schedule, as all presidents do. But you know, with Biden, you know, he didn't keep a very demanding schedule. I say with all presidents, most all presidents do keep a very demanding schedule. It's very rigorous on their physically and mentally, you know, despite the fact that they have. Or maybe not despite. Not the word, but, I know they have a lot of aids and they have a lot of people to help them and people to tell them to take care of everything. But, but still, I'm talking about the, basically the information that you have to process on a daily basis as president. United States would just wear the average person out in about 10 days. They'd say, I don't, I don't need that. You know what I'm saying? Yeah. With President Trump, of course, I do think, he said one time, President Trump said one time a year ago or so that he was basically, built for this. And I do think that his prior experience in his life.
>> Tim Wildmon: As a real, estate mogul in New York City.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: And then as he did the tell. He did the Apprentice, TV show. I do think that that. And some, and people. And some people just naturally gifted to be able to juggle, you know, five things in the air at one time.
>> Christopher Woodward: Right.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah, yeah.
President Trump arranged a ceasefire between India and Pakistan this weekend
You mentioned that, you know, in his spare time this weekend, Trump arranged a ceasefire between India and Pakistan.
>> Christopher Woodward: Yes, he talked about that as well this morning.
>> Tim Wildmon: Do we have any, we do have.
>> Christopher Woodward: Some audio from him.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay, let me just explain for people who don't know, because there's been so many stories domestically and internationally with the Pope, new Pope and everything like that. There's been, a skirmishing, not, a full scale war yet, thank the Lord, but a. Between Pakistan and India and both these countries have nuclear weapons. This is a very volatile, dangerous situation. And they've been fighting, for the last, what, two weeks.
>> Fred Jackson: Yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: but since that terrorist attack, a terrorist attack by Pakistani against Indians. True.
>> Fred Jackson: That is correct.
>> Tim Wildmon: And that's what triggered this. Yes, yeah, that's what triggered this. And so it's very, contentious right now. So is that, is that what we're about? So President Trump, injected.
>> Christopher Woodward: Yeah, he, he is taking credit for A cease fire, laying down of arms between India and Pakistan. Do we have him talking about from M this morning?
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay, well, I'd like to hear that.
President Trump helped broker a cease fire between India and Pakistan on Saturday
>> Donald Trump: Clip 8 Before we begin, let me say a few words about the historic events that took place over the last few days. On Saturday, my administration helped broker a full and immediate cease fire, I think a permanent one, between India and Pakistan, ending a dangerous conflict of two nations with lots of nuclear weapons. And I said, come on, we're going to do a lot of trade with you guys. Let's stop it. Let's stop it. If you stop it, we're doing trade. If you don't stop it, we're not going to do any trade. People have never really used trade the way I used it, that I can tell you. And all of a sudden they said, I think we're going to stop.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah. He said, I, use tariffs, the threat of not doing business with these two countries. And apparently that worked.
>> Christopher Woodward: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: Well, as far as we know, as far as. At least for now, yes, that's good news. That's good news. Hopefully it'll hold. But, these two countries, India and Pakistan, have historic rivalry.
>> Fred Jackson: Yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: between them. And if you look around the world, that's. As I've said before, most wars are fought over land.
>> Christopher Woodward: There.
>> Tim Wildmon: Now, some are fought over ideology, if you look down through human history. but I'm just thinking back, you know, World War II was basically over. It was ideology. That is, Nazism. Is that what you would call it, Fred? Nazi. the, you know, that, Adolf Hitler and then the Japanese towards the Imperial Japanese. They wanted to impose their own version of world dominance, in the Pacific realm. But I'm just saying that, most of the time it's fought over land and, that's just the way it's been down through human history. And, you got situation with you remember the war between Iran and Iraq, you know, the millions died. Same type thing. I think millions died. Anyway, so President Trump is doing everything he can, to, bring some stability and peace to the, on the world stage.
>> Christopher Woodward: Big, beautiful peace deals.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yes. I didn't know what he was going to say there because I hadn't heard those comments about, telling them, we're not going to trade with you if you keep fighting.
>> Fred Jackson: Money talks.
>> Christopher Woodward: Yeah, it sure does.
If you have money in the stock market today, you're probably going well
Speaking of money, if you have money in the stock market today, you're probably going to do very well. As a matter of fact, the NASDAQ is on track to exit the bear market today. the reason being the US And China. We haven't even gotten to this, but the US And China have, agreed to, put away their tariffs for a period of 90 days because apparently, due to something involving the Trump administration over the weekend in Switzerland, the US And China may be close to a trade deal.
>> Tim Wildmon: So the stock market.
>> Christopher Woodward: Yeah, the stock market is doing very well.
>> Tim Wildmon: How's Mr. Dow Jones?
>> Christopher Woodward: The Dow is currently up 950. the NASDAQ is up 623, and the S&P is up 145.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay, so you said Dow is. Dow Jones is what?
>> Christopher Woodward: 955 now.
>> Tim Wildmon: And what's the other ones?
>> Christopher Woodward: NASDAQ is 627.
>> Tim Wildmon: What's the other one?
>> Christopher Woodward: 146. Who's 146? S&P?
>> Tim Wildmon: S and P. Yep. All right, I got a test for you there, Chris. Okay, you just reeled off some numbers for us. What does 955 mean for Mr. Dow Jones?
>> Christopher Woodward: It's up 955 points. We may actually see $43,000.
>> Tim Wildmon: That good? Really good or great?
>> Christopher Woodward: That's. That's great. Right now, considering what we've experienced for.
>> Fred Jackson: About a month, that NASDAQ number is even bigger.
>> Christopher Woodward: Yes. A lot of tech stocks involved in the NASDAQ stuff there.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, yeah. So the. The stock market is, what do you call it?
>> Christopher Woodward: Roller coaster?
>> Tim Wildmon: Schizophrenic.
>> Fred Jackson: Very.
>> Tim Wildmon: Represents schizophrenia.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: On a financial scale. Right. All right, so it's very. It's up right now. And basically because of the news out of Switzerland that the US And China. And. We can talk about this more when we get back from the break. have a, have reached a trade, agreement.
>> Fred Jackson: Yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: We'll be back momentarily. Stay with us.
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>> Jeff Chamblee: This is today's issues. Email your comments to commentsfr.net Past broadcasts of today's Issues are available for listening and viewing in the archive@afr.net now back to more of Today's Issues.
Today's Issues comes from the American Family Radio Network
>> Tim Wildmon: Welcome back to Today's Issues on the American Family Radio Network. Hope you had a nice weekend. It's Monday, May 12th. Thanks for listening to AFR. Tim, Fred and Chris in studio. We were talking about, President Trump is about to leave for the Middle east, where he will be in Saudi Arabia and where else did you say?
>> Fred Jackson: Qatar and, United Arab Emirates.
>> Tim Wildmon: Three, countries that we do a lot of business with, particularly in oil, right?
>> Fred Jackson: That is correct. That is correct. Just seeing Air Force One taxing o to take off.
>> Tim Wildmon: So, are, ah, those the only three scheduled stops for the president?
>> Fred Jackson: Those are the only. And you use the word scheduled.
>> Tim Wildmon: Scheduled because I was thinking, he may go to Israel sometime soon. I would think he may because he hasn't been there in his second administration yet.
>> Fred Jackson: That is correct. That is correct. But it's not on the official schedule.
>> Tim Wildmon: But he's right there. That's why. What made me think maybe he'll stop in his. Pardon me, in Israel. We'll see.
>> Fred Jackson: This is President Trump. He kind of does what he wants.
>> Tim Wildmon: Pretty much, yeah. Have you noticed that?
>> Christopher Woodward: Yeah. Do you think when the seat belt light comes on on Air Force One and he's not buckled up, like, does the person go, excuse me, Mr. President, you need to vote?
>> Tim Wildmon: No, they don't. he says, bring me my Big Mac.
>> Fred Jackson: That's right.
>> Christopher Woodward: You're fake news.
>> Fred Jackson: I'll take that now.
>> Tim Wildmon: Make me my health food. All right, so anyway, that's the, so we're watching as the, Air Force One taxis out, getting ready to take the president.
>> Fred Jackson: The current Air Force One.
>> Tim Wildmon: Right, right, right, right. Maybe he'll come back with a second one. Who knows? That's, that's the talk. That's the talk.
Some big things have happened internationally, including with Ukraine and Russia
But, also, so, so some big things have happened. I know that, most of our listeners pay attention to what's happening in our own country and that's, that's where our focus should be. But some big things has Happened, in the last few, Few days internationally. The President was talking about. He has, he said, I have, initiated a, talks with India and Pakistan and told them to stop their war, don't let it escalate, stop it now. Because, in order to trade with the U.S. no war.
>> Fred Jackson: That's right.
>> Tim Wildmon: Between the two countries.
>> Fred Jackson: And so they've agreed.
>> Tim Wildmon: They've agreed. And President. That's what President Trump is talking about. Also Zelinsky and Putin, Russia, Ukraine. That war has been going on for about a year and a half. Two years now. So. Two years now.
>> Fred Jackson: Oh, at least.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah. And, those two leaders are, might very well be meeting in person in Turkey.
>> Fred Jackson: That's right. On Thursday.
>> Tim Wildmon: On Thursday. So we could have some good news there in terms of a ceasefire between those two countries.
>> Christopher Woodward: Ukraine and, Russia have been fighting now for three plus years.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: That long. I know that at first people thought Russia would crush Ukraine in a matter of weeks. And that didn't happen.
>> Fred Jackson: Nope.
>> Christopher Woodward: No.
>> Tim Wildmon: And, they've been fighting it out, you know, very bloody war. Thousands and thousands and thousands of people have died.
>> Fred Jackson: It's been horrible.
>> Tim Wildmon: Horrible. War is hell, as they say. And that's more. You're seeing that with Ukraine and Russia.
The United States and China are meeting in Switzerland to hammer out a trade agreement
All right, so you're listening to today's issues. What's the next? We talked prior to the break about, you know, the, United, States and China, have been meeting in Switzerland the last few days to hammer, out a trade agreement which both sides can agree to. This is in response to President Trump's, Tariff.
>> Fred Jackson: Yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: Tariff or tariffs on China.
>> Christopher Woodward: Yes.
>> Fred Jackson: Yep.
>> Tim Wildmon: Saying they are an unfair trading partner and he wants to level the playing field in terms of tariffs and so forth. And, so China, some would say China blinked here and came, to the negotiating table, but we don't. So what, what's the result? You have comments from the White House on this?
>> Christopher Woodward: We do.
>> Tim Wildmon: Because this is big. This is a. Excuse me. If you're up to. Oh, yeah, I was talking to somebody two, three days ago and I was, ah, about Trump's tariffs, especially. There are a lot of people who support President Trump who are upset with the way he's doing this, and, I don't really have an opinion one way or another. but I guess. But I can understand how they feel. These people. Again, these would be people who voted for President Trump and, support his, efforts. But it was like too, too much, too fast, too soon. And it came as a shock to a lot of American businesses. And this person was telling me, he said, I have friends who are about to go out of business because of the tariffs related to China in particular. Have you all heard these?
>> Fred Jackson: Oh, yeah.
>> Christopher Woodward: Oh yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: Stories.
>> Christopher Woodward: Farmers, in various states here in the US have been voicing, their concerns because we send a lot of soybeans, we send a lot of pork, chicken and beef to China. because of their growing population. China actually has had a growing, workforce in terms of, they've been paid better, and as a result of having a little more money in their pocket now that the Communist government's not robbing from them, they're buying meat. And that's, we're a big supplier for them.
>> Tim Wildmon: But I think you're going to have to have more than a 90 day, what do you call it? What do you call us Pause on these tariffs. You're going to have to have something permanently hammered out. And I'm talking in the next week or so in order to save some of these businesses in the US that are going to go under because of the tariffs imposed by China. And you know, the US Being in a trade war because people can't operate on 90 days, maybe they got to have something, you know what I'm saying?
>> Fred Jackson: Oh, yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: you know, I've talked to some people who know people who have, like, small businesses who make things and specialty items and stuff like that. And they're going, they're going to go out of business because they can't get products from China.
US and China agreed to reduce their tariffs on the United States by 115%
Yeah, so, so what did you have comments from, from who about the Chinese, US trade, trade talks.
>> Christopher Woodward: Well, let's begin here. we have White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt saying this is a good start headed in a very positive direction. Clip 2.
>> Jeff Chamblee: This is an extraordinary first step in the right direction. And thanks to the strength of President Trump, Secretary Besant and Ambassador Greer were able to cut this initial deal with China. China agreed to reduce their tariffs on the United States by 115%. They also agreed to continue having discussions about opening Chinese markets to American made products and goods. 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. So this is a great first, first step for the American public and Secretary Besson, 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.
>> Christopher Woodward: Now that again is why the stock market is doing very well. And since I Last gave a stock update. The Dow is now up, 968, the NASDAQ 636, and the S&P 147.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah, this, this agreement that was worked out is significant. The US agreed to drop its 145% tariff rate on Chinese goods by 115 percentage points, down to 30%. So for 145% to 30%, while China agreed to lower its rate on US goods by the same amount, down to 10%. So that's why the stock market is just going crazy at this hour.
>> Christopher Woodward: It did worry me a little bit. what worried you? Well, because we had the, we had the press conference this morning inside the White House where, the President was going to touch on a number of things and I thought, well, things, you know, we have talked before about how sometimes when he speaks then, people get concerned. But even after that speech today, people are still very positive, and are not concerned.
>> Tim Wildmon: Well, listen, I'm not an expert on international trade, nor am I. I could be if I wanted to be, but, it's not the path I've chosen. You know what I'm saying, Fred?
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah, that's right, Chris.
>> Tim Wildmon: and I'm not bragging, I'm just saying, but I will say this. the United States of America and China. What is, what's the formal name of China? CC They.
>> Fred Jackson: The People's Republic. The People's.
>> Tim Wildmon: People's Republic of China.
>> Christopher Woodward: Correct.
>> Tim Wildmon: People's Republic. Where we have no rights of China. Anyway, we are joined at the hip. Okay? The US And China are joined at the hip. We, cannot survive without each other.
>> Christopher Woodward: True.
>> Tim Wildmon: at least survive as we know it, as we know our countries today. Because China makes a bunch of stuff and we buy it.
>> Fred Jackson: That's right.
>> Tim Wildmon: We are. We, the United States are a consumer driven economy and have been now for a couple decades, I would say. but now President Trump is trying. They're, trying. China has been charging tariffs on products that we make that we send over there, and we've not been doing that same against them. That is what, that's what he's trying.
>> Christopher Woodward: He's talked about that for, I mean, decades.
>> Tim Wildmon: Oh, yeah, yeah, exactly.
>> Christopher Woodward: Now the. Some people will say, well, we just need to make more of our stuff. And I get that, and I agree with those kinds of arguments, but we can't start doing that tomorrow. China has for a long time made our stuff. Yes. We're a big customer base for China and we could look to India Or Thailand or the Philippines, some other big company or country in Asia that does manufacture stuff for the west. But they can't start doing that tomorrow.
>> Tim Wildmon: You know, it's amazing to me how much stuff China makes. That's right, obscure things. You just go, you know, you got a, I don't know, a you know, piece of equipment that goes to a. Something that you rarely use. And you go, who, who, who in the world makes this kind of thing? And you look at the. They made in China. Somewhere in China they're making, they're making products that. Now they do ship them around the world. But basically the, the cargo ships from China go to the U.S. they go to either the Los Angeles, you know, area or I guess maybe Seattle, but. And then some of them go through the Panama Canal, come up to the, you know, New Orleans or Miami or somewhere like there, maybe the East Coast. But China makes the stuff, man, and we buy it. And it's been that way for a long time.
>> Fred Jackson: And it's left fault. And let's be honest, the American consumer has become accustomed to the lower prices.
>> Tim Wildmon: Because it's made in China, right as it's made or foreign made, slave or whatever.
>> Fred Jackson: Slave labor. And the American consumer has become accustomed to this.
>> Christopher Woodward: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: Now, it isn't altogether slave labor.
>> Fred Jackson: Not all.
>> Tim Wildmon: There are job, there are jobs.
>> Christopher Woodward: It is low page, low wages compared to what we would pay somebody else.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, but it's a communist country, you know, so they pretty well set cost on what their folks make over there.
>> Christopher Woodward: That's been one of the concerns with. Well, if we, even if we had the infrastructure here to make stuff, unions, would require a person to be paid X amount of dollars for doing that per hour, whereas you can pay somebody that's 12 in China to make it.
>> Tim Wildmon: That's why I don't think it's reasonable to expect, a lot of manufacturing jobs to quote, come back to the U.S. this isn't the 1940s. Okay. Or 50s or 60s or this is a different, we've shifted. we. And a lot of it is because of the rules and regulations that we impose on businesses here in America that they don't have in other parts of the world. Yeah, you mentioned some of them. Unions, environmental.
>> Christopher Woodward: The state itself requires a certain minimum wage higher than the federal government.
>> Tim Wildmon: So. So it's unrealistic to expect in my opinion, for the US to become like golden age of manufacturing. you know, that's just not going to return and I think, you.
>> Fred Jackson: Know, for instance, Apple. There are American companies that have gone and they have built factories in China and used Chinese labor.
There are certain American companies that decided we're going to build factories in China
Apple is one of them. Now Trump is making a big deal even this morning again, that Apple is going to invest now, more largely, we'll put it in the United States and bring some of that work back home. the furniture industry in America, a lot of it got transferred to China through the years because they could, they could produce things, cheaper than could be produced here.
>> Tim Wildmon: Right.
>> Fred Jackson: So there's, there's certain, is. There's certain American companies that decided we're going to build our factories in China. I mean, we talked about Boeing a few moments ago. There are components of airplanes that are built in China and then shipped to Seattle to put in a Boeing aircraft.
>> Tim Wildmon: Mm. I remember back during COVID you remember hearing it was kind of scary hearing these stories about how much China had that made our help us. Made our medicine.
>> Fred Jackson: Yes, right.
>> Tim Wildmon: Our drugs.
>> Fred Jackson: You're right.
>> Tim Wildmon: I, mean, they had like. Was it raw minerals and. I don't know. I'm trying to remember. But you, remember they may.
>> Christopher Woodward: They make a lot of things involving, metals and minerals. Minerals go into pharmaceuticals.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah. And China is. They're all over the world now trying to basically, ensure that they have the. They have dominance over, raw materials.
>> Fred Jackson: Yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: They're in Africa. They're in, they're over the continent of Africa. They're in Central and South America.
>> Christopher Woodward: There's actually. There was a story Fox had maybe two weeks ago where, they were looking to buy a large, amount of property in the Bahamas.
>> Fred Jackson: Yes.
>> Christopher Woodward: Which would be very close to the U.S. yeah.
American Family Radio discusses world trade issues on today's show
>> Tim Wildmon: So anyway, you're listening to today's issues on American Family Radio. This concludes our world trade discussion.
>> Fred Jackson: Not quite.
>> Tim Wildmon: No, we got more. Wait, there's more. But wait, what's next?
>> Fred Jackson: Well, the, the purpose for the news conference. The main purpose for the news conference that President Trump had before he left for Saudi Arabia this morning was, to sign an executive order, that he says will bring down the price of your pills, folks. Basically.
>> Tim Wildmon: All right, tell me how this is going to work.
>> Fred Jackson: All right, basically, do we have audio on this?
>> Christopher Woodward: yes, from the news conference. We do. We do.
>> Fred Jackson: Why don't we play that first and then we'll. We'll try to fill in the details.
Starting today, the United States will no longer subsidize the health care of foreign countries
>> Christopher Woodward: So this is Donald Trump again. You might have heard of him, talking, from the White House about this drug price deal.
>> Donald Trump: Clip 9 But starting today, the United States will no longer subsidize the health care of foreign countries, which is what we were doing. We're subsidizing others healthcare countries where they paid a small fraction of what for the same drug that what we pay many, many times more for and will no longer tolerate profiteering and price gouging from big Pharma. But again, it was really the countries that forced big pharma to do things that frankly, I'm not sure they really felt comfortable doing. I brought it up with the drug companies represented by somebody who's very, very smart, good person too. And, we argued about it for about half hour and then finally he just said, because they can't justify it. He just said, look, you got me. You got me. I can no longer just. They've been, you know, they've been justifying this crap for years. They said, oh, it's research and development. Well, I said, well, research and development. Other countries should pay research and development too. It's for their benefit.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, go ahead.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah. there was an example given at the news conference this morning of what, what the President is talking about here. But he used the, he or one of his people used the example of this. Let's say you got a Ford pickup truck and you pay 140,000 for it here, built here in America. 140,000. And I don't know, I'm using that figure that was used in the example. He said, and then you go to Britain and you can buy the same pickup for 10,000. He says, that's what's going on with, ah, with your pills. here in America, we're paying exorbitant prices for certain medications in this country, that a guy in Britain or a guy in Germany is paying far, far less. And what President Trump is saying, and you just heard, he had a meeting with one of these pharmaceutical companies, I guess, and he said, this is not fair. We're not going to do this anymore. And so what he's announcing this morning is an executive order on this front. And we want to stress that this is an executive order. This doesn't mean when you go to your pharmacy a week from now, your pills will be a whole lot cheaper. This is an intention of this administration to bring medication prices down dramatically here in this country so that it's more like what you pay for it in Germany, what you pay for it in.
>> Christopher Woodward: The UK and mind you, last week, Dr. Oz, who now runs the, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services, or CMS, he appeared on Fox with Brett Baer along with RFK, Junior, Dr. Marty McCary, who runs the FDA, and Dr. J. Bhattacharya, who heads up the National Institutes of Health. One of the things that they had to say, Tim, was they were still going after things like chronic illnesses. Because if we can bring down the number of people on chronic illnesses, we're going to bring down the number of people on Medicare and Medicaid that are using prescription drugs to combat those chronic illnesses. So in addition to saying you're gonna pay less for this, we're actually gonna try to make people healthier, which will benefit the taxpayers that are helping fund Medicare and Medicaid. While people are currently on it, expect.
>> Fred Jackson: Lawsuits from the pharmacy companies over this. That's gonna happen.
>> Christopher Woodward: It's gonna be interesting, too, to see the reaction from the left because Joe Biden talked about price controls through Medicare and Medicaid. Even Senator, Bernie Sanders, back 10 years ago when he was running for president the first time talked about how we had to cap the price of medication. here. The left will find a reason to complain about Donald Trump today.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, well, m. I thought this is, this is a moral dilemma. When you're talking about. To me, under normal circumstances, you would say products need to be in the United States, where we operate under the free enterprise system, sale and sale and manufacturing and commerce and business needs to be free markets. Right. and that has served us well in our country's history. That's one of the reasons why we're the. Maybe that's the primary reason why we're the wealthiest country or have been the world for a long time now for, you know, decades and decades. And why people yearn to come and do business in the United States is because of our free enterprise system. But by moral dilemma, I mean when it comes to medicine, then, it's. Then I don't like applying, that, that sounds contradictory because I think people ought to have access to medicine because they're sick. I don't care what the cost is. Does that make. Now that's not practical. but somebody has to pay for it. But you understand what I'm saying? So it's a, it's a, it's a dilemma that, that's why I appreciate, these, like St. Jude's for example, the hospital in Memphis which does cancer, treatment for children.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: And there are other examples of this. I appreciate it. When they have free access to people who can't afford it. You know what I'm saying?
>> Fred Jackson: Yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: That's a charitable spirit of the American people. but that's what I'm talking about. What if you don't want it? When you have a child who has cancer and they need help, you don't want to have to say, well, sorry, we can't afford the drugs. You know what I'm saying? So that's why I say, when you talk about, and you talk about buying a car, that's one thing, but you talk about, buying, having access to. That's. That sounds like I'm for socialized medicine and I guess I am, to a certain extent.
>> Fred Jackson: Yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: And we already have socialized medicine. Yes, to a certain extent. And we had. Go ahead, Fred.
>> Fred Jackson: Oh, it's called Medicaid.
>> Tim Wildmon: Medicaid, Medicare, Obamacare. Yeah.
>> Fred Jackson: You know, there are people who don't pay a penny, for their medical care. so it's happening in this country. But I think what Trump is trying to do, it's called, he says, I'm instituting a most favorite nation's policy where the United States will pay the same price as the nation that pays the lowest price anywhere in the world.
RFK Jr. wants to change focus of American health care system
That's the wording. he says our country will finally be treated fairly and our citizens health care costs will be reduced by numbers never even thought of before. So, what's interesting about the Trump health care department, kind of headed by RFK Jr. He says we're going to. So they're going to lower the costs of these prescription drugs. That's one part of it. But part two is to change the focus of our health care system. And this is quoting RFK Jr he had an interview with Fox last week. Is that we're going to get away from managing sickness to managing, better health care for the American people. Which goes to preventative, like preventative, which goes to what RFK wants to do. we're going to get rid of these chemicals, coloring of cereal.
>> Tim Wildmon: Right, Right.
>> Fred Jackson: We're going to, you know, color our cereal, our Fruit Loops or whatever the case may be with, with dyes that come from fruit, beet juice. Beet juice and that sort of thing. So that's just one.
>> Tim Wildmon: Going to force that on us, are they?
>> Christopher Woodward: no, but I don't know if.
>> Tim Wildmon: I don't, he's going to force.
>> Fred Jackson: It on the companies.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, I've never. Bee juice.
>> Christopher Woodward: Beet juice is something that Pepperidge, Farms has been using for a while to color goldfish crackers.
>> Tim Wildmon: I'm just. Is that good or bad? What?
>> Christopher Woodward: Just natural compared to like, red dye.
>> Fred Jackson: 40 or whatever, your body is not being forced to deal with chemicals that don't belong in your body. The dye.
>> Christopher Woodward: That's one of the reasons why he says we have more people with something like heart disease or kidney failure today than we might have had when you guys were kids.
By letting 12 million people into our country illegally, Joe Biden increased stress
>> Tim Wildmon: digress just a little bit on this topic. Got a minute to go? I would like to come back to what you're talking about, but what Joe Biden did as President, by letting 12 million people into our country illegally, he increased the stress on our health care system and normal.
>> Fred Jackson: Yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: That's what these Democrats do. They want to let everybody in our country, and then they want the average American to pay for the health care of people who are here illegally.
>> Fred Jackson: Yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: And by the way, 12 million people who enter the country illegally, okay. And, 20 years from now, you can just triple those numbers because those people are going to have children.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah.
>> Donald Trump: And.
>> Tim Wildmon: And so. And then they're not going to have, they're not going to be legal citizens, at least as it stands now. So they're going to. But they're still going to have access to our free health care system, which is not free, which is costing us an enormous amount of money. And that's what. That's what, Joe Biden's gift to the US Cause. We'll be back. The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio National.
