President Donald Trump told a steelworker that his father was proudly looking down on him at Thursday’s press conference on tariffs, only to be quickly corrected that the man’s father was still alive.
“Your father Herman is looking down. He’s very proud of you right now,” Trump said, flanked by workers from the industry.
“Oh, he’s still alive,” the engineer responded.
“Well, then he’s even more proud of you,” the president came back.
Moment of levity at the tariffs press conference:
— Liam Martin (@LiamFromBoston) March 8, 2018
President Trump: “Your father Herman is looking down. He’s very proud of you right now.”
“He’s still alive.” pic.twitter.com/zp42GWMBmK
The awkward incident happened as Trump explained that U.S. allies would be able to apply for exemptions from the new 25 percent tariff on steel imports and 10 percent tariff on aluminum imports. The president, however, made clear that the aim was to put American industry first.
“We have to protect and build our steel and aluminum industries, while at the same time showing great flexibility and co-operation towards those that are our real friends,” he told reporters.
