National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow appears on Fox Business to discuss the administration plans to re-open the U.S. economy.  Something is going to need to happen prior to May 1st, or the long-term economic challenge is going to be much more difficult.

Kudlow again notes a ‘bring back manufacturing’ proposal with 100% tax deduction (expensing) for U.S. manufacturers to relocate their manufacturing supply chains out of China and back to the U.S.  The Beijing lobbyists would go bananas.

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Though the U.S. and Canada are not part of the “OPEC Plus” group, President Trump has  been leading negotiations between Saudi Arabia and Russia to broker a deal and stop their price war.  Today President Trump announces an agreement between the major petroleum exporting countries to curb oil production by approximately 10 million barrels per day:

Additionally, there was a loggerhead within the negotiations as Mexico did not want to cut their production by the requested amount of 400,000 barrels daily.  Mexico relies on oil as a large part of their economy. AMLO stated his economy could not withstand such a significant drop in state revenue.  Economic security is, after all, national security.

President Trump broke the OPEC+ stalemate by agreeing to decrease U.S. production by 300k/barrels allowing Mexico to drop a more manageable 100k/barrels.  Trump and AMLO reached an undisclosed agreement where Mexico will reimburse the U.S. later on.

I suspect the “reimbursement” will be more, well, strategically geopolitical than financial.  [*nudge-nudge*, *wink-wink*, *say-no-more/say-no-more*]  President Trump has an uncanny knack of collecting leverage for later, more strategic, purposes.  Just sayin’.

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With an increased awareness of how some U.S. politicians appear to be reacting to the COVID-19 challenges; and with a new American perspective toward the way media outlets, some businesses and many politicians appear to be influenced by China; it’s worth revisiting a recent speech by Secretary of State Pompeo that might have been overlooked.

Pompeo’s remarks were made to the National Governors Association (NGA) Feb 8, 2020; and there’s an interesting segment where Pompeo reveals his awareness of a list of U.S. governors compiled by China’s communist party; and their alignment with China’s interests. A transcript of the key excerpt from his speech is provided. WATCH:

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[Transcript at 01:45] […] “Last year, I received an invitation to an event that promised to be, quote, “an occasion for exclusive deal-making.” It said, quote, “the opportunities for mutually beneficial economic development between China and our individual states [are] tremendous,” end of quote.”

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President Trump calls-in for a short interview with Jeanine Pirro to provide his perspectives on faith, the Easter holiday and the challenges to combat the Wuhan virus.

Our president outlines the complex dynamic of ongoing COVID-19 mitigation efforts, the movement of resources regionally to continue the fight; and the simultaneous need to restart the American economic engine while balancing the health interests of Americans.

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White House trade and manufacturing advisor, and current lead policy expert on deployment of the Defense Production Act, Peter Navarro, appears on Fox News to discuss the ongoing mitigation efforts to protect Americans from the Wuhan Virus.

Wolverine Navarro discusses the importance of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment and preventative measure against the virus.  While most studies are ongoing, there is increasing anecdotal evidence showing considerable benefit.  Factually, many doctors on the front-line of treatment are personally using hydroxychloroquine as a preventative med.

Mr. Navarro discusses the common sense importance of bringing back critical manufacturing to the U.S. so we can have control over our own medical supply-chain; and the considerations within the White House for reopening our economy. WATCH:

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The initial coronavirus relief funding package (CARES Act) included $380 billion targeted to small businesses as part of the larger congressional relief package.  Within the SBA section small and medium businesses can apply for loans to cover payroll (75%), called payroll protection plan (ppp); and expenses (25%).  If the PPP funding is used to keep employees on payroll the loan is forgiven.   Thousands of businesses have applied.

Due to the success of the SBA targeted funding, the $380 billion may run out before all of the applications are covered.  Treasury Secretary Mnuchin asked Speaker Pelosi and Senate Leader McConnell for an additional $250 billion infusion into the program.

Senator McConnell framed a bill to provide the additional funds and asked for unanimous consent to advance the legislation.  However, speaker Pelosi doesn’t want to miss an opportunity to add pet project (constituent funding) to the bill.  Speaker Pelosi instructed Senator Ben Cardin to object to the unanimous consent request and block the funds.

WASHINGTON – Senate Democrats on Thursday blocked a Republican push to unanimously pass a bill to put $250 billion more into a loan program for small businesses devastated by the coronavirus pandemic.

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Tuesday night President Donald Trump called-in to Sean Hannity for an extended phone interview on the latest developments surrounding COVID-19.

President Trump highlighted ongoing mitigation efforts and discussed a much needed plan to reopen the U.S. economy.  WATCH / Listen:

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Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin appears via phone on Fox Business News to discuss the small business payroll/paychecks program. Ms. Bartiromo claims her network of friends in the business community want to use the free government money for themselves; but the Treasury is forcing small businesses to use the money to retain payroll.

Obviously Ms. Bartiromo runs with a very self-centered network of friends incapable of accepting a government program structured to help the workforce they employ (75%). Instead, Ms. Bartiromo’s tribe wants to exploit the angles, fund ways to game the system, use grants to line their own pockets, and operate their own corrupt schemes.

Treasury Secretary Mnuchin informs Bartiromo the loan program (with complete repayment forgiveness) is entirely purposed to pay the employees. It was never designed to replace revenue; only cover all payroll expense and offset 25% of other operating costs. If her friends in businesses don’t like that, too bad.

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Ms. Bartiromo needs to find a better tribe.

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National Defense Production Act policy coordinator Peter Navarro appeared on ‘Fox & Friends’ this morning to discuss various issues of supply chain needs for the U.S. to combat coronavirus.

Mr. Navarro touches on how the DPA is being used to secure medical supplies and equipment including hydroxychloroquine as a treatment.

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Suffice to say 3M CEO Mike Roman will not be sending a Christmas card to the White House this year.  White House manufacturing advisor, and policy lead for the execution of the Defense Production Act, Peter Navarro, tells 3M to stop with the PC excuses and just do their damned job….  Perfect.

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