Ohio representative on tariffs, Iran, Mike Waltz and the National Security Council
WASHINGTON (CBS, KYMA/KECY) - Representative Mike Turner (R-Ohio) spoke with Margaret Brennan on Face the Nation Sunday, discussing the the impact of the Trump administration's tariffs on the global economy.
"I think there's going to be a lot that has to be shaken out here. And we certainly are seeing, I think, some reaction now in China also. That means that, you know, the President's goal is that these nations, that of which he's putting tariffs on the table, and tariffs which are a punishment for having behaved poorly taken advantage of the United States economically, will come to the table and negotiate better economic deals than the United States has been experiencing. Those deals are beginning to be offered. The White House is beginning to negotiate those. China is beginning to signal that they're willing to come to the table. So even though the President is making those statements at the same time, we're seeing that the President taking that step of saying we want a better economic deal is beginning to work."
Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio)
Brennan followed up by asking Representative Turner if he was concerned about the trade war impacting not just toys, but also preparedness, tanks and military readiness, to which Turner responded saying, "I think we're all concerned of the effects on the supply chain, and certainly we've got to make certain that this works through the entire processes, and that we are concerned of the effects of the economy."
"I think the President is going to be looking at that. Congress is going to be looking at that. But the real concern here is that we do have to look long term as to how this protects our overall economy," Turner added.
During the interview, Brennan and Turner talked about divides within the Trump Administration regarding Iran and Russia.
Brennan said when she previously interviewed former National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, "he laid out in pretty clear terms that the US goal in these negotiations with Iran are dismantlement of its nuclear program."
"Not limits on enrichment, not verification. But those are the things that the envoy negotiating with Iran have said," Brennan said. "We're seeing policy differences from within the President's own administration here."
This prompted her to ask Turner if Congress has been given details on what the goal and plan is regarding the negotiations, to which Turner answered saying:
"The goal is simply stated that we do not have a nuclear Iran, and certainly the President is leaning strongly in that from his first term with the maximum pressure campaign, the President was clear that both in non-nuclear Iran and also making certain that we have that the nefarious activities of Iran working through their proxies, the terrorist groups and organizations that that be stopped. So the President is very strong on an anti-Iran policy, including ensuring that there not be a nuclear Iran."
Later in the interview, Brennan brought up a statement issued by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "denying that he personally was talking to Mike Waltz about...military action against Iran," asking Turner if it was appropriate work for the former National Security Advisor to be coordinating with Israel about military action against Iran, or was Waltz possibly in the wrong, and Turner said:
"First off, we don't know specifically that was occurring, but at the same time the National Security Council...the function of the National Security Council is to ensure that the President of United States has the greatest information possible. And Mike Waltz is, you know, has an incredible background and experience. He worked diligently to make certain he had a strong role in the national security team of the president. And I'm certainly glad that he's going to be retained and staying in a strong role in this administration, working directly with world leaders and heads of state is certainly an important role as the National Security Advisor to the President. Certainly, I think even as U.N. Ambassador, he'll continue to do that type of function."
To watch more of Brennan's interview with Turner, click here.
