President trump thank you very much. I just want to make an initial comment that the stock market just hit an alltime record high. It broke for the First Time Ever 23,000. We are very happy about that. I hope that greece will be doing the same thing very soon. I think they will. But i am honored to welcome Prime Minister tsipras from of greece. He is a very special man who is done a great job. We are grateful to the Prime Minister and his entire delegation for visiting us today at the white house. Greece is a cradle of western civilization, so true, of democracy, literature, philosophy, science, and so much else. America looks on that glorious heritage with wonder and awe. You do indeed have a tremendous heritage, mr. Prime minister. Perhaps for this reason, americas friendship with the greek people has been long and enduring. Thomas jefferson wrote, at the dawn of the modern greek state, no people sympathize more with greek patriots and none offer more sincere and ardent prayers to heaven for their success than the American People. Jeffersons words are true to this day. Mr. Prime minister, i am proud to report that this past march we celebrated greek Independence Day right here at the white house. And that was great. America and greece draw on this common history and heritage and on our peoples abiding commitment to freedom and sovereignty. In working together on great challenges and opportunities now before us, there are tremendous opportunities before us in so many different ways. The Prime Minister and i have just concluded a very productive discussion on the cooperation between our two countries, including on matters of defense, energy, commerce, and trade. I want to thank the Prime Minister and the greek people for serving as gracious hosts to our u. S. Naval forces. I also commend greece for being one of the few nato countries currently spending at least 2 of gdp on defense. My administration has also informed congress of a potential sale to greece to upgrade its f16 aircraft to strengthen the hellenic air force. This is worth 2. 4 billion and would generate thousands of american jobs. We are also making Great Strides in our economical cooperation. The American People stand with the greek people as they recover from the economic crisis that recently afflicted their nation. I have encouraged the Prime Minister and his continued implementation of reform and reform programs that ive totally reaffirmed our support for a responsible, debt relief plan. A strong and flourishing greece provides opportunity for job creation and investment. I thank the Prime Minister, his predecessors, and the greek people for their efforts to return stability and prosperity to greece. On energy, we appreciate greek contributions to European Energy security through its support of the transadriatic pipeline, the greecebulgaria interconnector and liquefied natural gas facilities that are capable of transporting diverse sources of energy to europe, including potential liquefied natural gas exports from the United States of which that particular route and business is getting bigger and bigger and bigger as you know. These make both are people safer and create good jobs for hardworking citizens. Finally, i am also very proud that the United States will be the honored country at next Years International fair in greece. This historic business and trade exhibition will showcase american technology, enterprise, and innovation on the world stage. We look very much forward to sending a highlevel delegation to attend this wonderful event. Mr. Prime minister, thank you again for being here today and for your partnership in addressing Critical Issues facing our countries. I look forward to having many productive discussions with you and to having a very close and warm cooperation on a wide range of shared objectives. We will build upon our foundation of shared history and shared values to pursue a future of security, prosperity, and peace for both your nation and ours. Mr. Prime minister thank you , very much. I wouldnister tsipras like to thank the president of the United States for his hospitality and for his very productive discussions we had today. The friendship between our two countries is very strong and it is based on our common democratic principles. On the values that we jointly share as peoples. It is correct that the founders of the United States were inspired by ancient greece. And the greek revolution was inspired by the American Revolution for independence. At the same time our relationship is based on a very dynamic diaspora, which offers many things for both countries. As we underlined earlier, the greeku. S. Relationship may be at their best, compared to the past, since the Second World War when our peoples Work Together and fought together, shoulder to shoulder against fascism. I do believe there are many reasons for this. Today our strategy is based on Mutual Respect and it is fed by the significant support provided by the u. S. To greece and to the greek people during the hard times of the economic crisis, support for the exit of greece from the crisis, and at this point i would like to focus. Greece today fulfills three basic objectives which do not only relate to greece, but i would say have special significance at an international level. First, coming out of a crisis, noting wonderful growth rates, and it is beginning to attract investments and increase its exports, as we see as well from the greeku. S. Balance of trade, leaving behind not only a crisis but it is leaving behind the economic model that led to the crisis. Second, greece today is the most significant power of security and cooperation in one of the most important and unstable and sensitive areas of the planet, a country with a dynamic, multidimensional foreign policy, a country which is a reliable partner and ally of the United States which fulfills its nato obligations. And it is in close cooperation with the defense of the United States as a country, which maintains dialogue with turkey, the challenges which maintains dialogue with turkey, with the challenges of knowing the very important course of turkey. It is a country that promotes cooperation in the balkans which contribute to the security and the growth of the area. And, third, greece being already pretty strong in maritime and tourism is gradually becoming a significant crossroads for transportation and energy. I would like to mention the completion of the pipeline. The agreement for an l g station in northeast greece and the prospect that greece will be an area where we can receive exports and imports from the United States fracking. I would like to mention our ports and the promotion of strong and fast rail connections with the rest of the balkans. In this context it is clear that the strategic cooperation with the United States is becoming more important than ever. We look forward, and this is a significant message of my visit here and my meeting with economic representatives, we look forward to attracting u. S. Investments and more substantial support of the u. S. In our effort to exit this crisis. That the United States will be the honored country in 2018 at the International Fair will place a significant role to this effort. Second, because greece can develop dynamically, in creating a pillar of stability only if it is freed from the fundamental national concerns in the areas of security and defense. The United States have a significant role to play in this matter, not only in the diplomatic, but also the defense sector. And we look forward in this context for the viable solution based on the decisions of the u. N. Security council, a solution for the benefit of all, without downfalls, that will give a new perspective to the area. At the same time we underline that the dangerous intervention of turkey in the aegean must end. It undermines the relationship between two nato allies. Greece is a country that is always open, but i want to be very clear, it will always protect decisively its sovereignty rights against illicit claims and refutes. I would like to warmly thank President Trump for the wonderful discussions we held, which i believe will give a substantial push to the existing dynamic cooperation, and i believe and i said we created a work group between the ministers of economy so we can monitor the ability to have a substantial cooperation in investment and economy and in all sectors. Thank you very much, sir. President trump ok, we will take a few questions. John, go ahead please. Thank you, mr. President. Good to see you in the rose garden again. We seem to do this on occasion. I have a question for the Prime Minister in a moment if i could. But, first, sir, you said a short time ago that obamacare is virtually dead. Your plans for Graham Cassidy have not been able to get off the ground in the senate. There is no idea whether or not it will in the early 2018. You have been kicking around the edges with executive orders some of which critics say are helping to destroy obamacare. By wondering, at this point, what is her Health Care Plan at this point . President trump if you take a good strong look at the Insurance Companies in the numbers you will see that since the formation of obamacare they are up 400 , 450 , 250 , 300 . They have made a fortune. When i knocked out the hundreds of millions of dollars a month being paid back to the Insurance Companies by politicians, i must tell you, that wanted me to continue to pay this, i said im not going to do it. This is money that goes to the Insurance Companies to line their pockets, to raise their stock prices. They have had a record run, an incredible run and it is not appropriate. Obamacare is a disaster. It is virtually dead as far as im concerned. I predicted that a long time ago. It is a concept that does not work. We are very close. As soon as we finish with taxes, i feel we feel we have the votes in as soon as were finished with taxes we feel we have the votes to get blockgrants into the states where the states could much better manage the money and take care of the people rather than the federal government, the state block grants would do massive grants to the various states of that the states can run the program. We feel we have the votes. We will be doing that after the taxes. In the meantime,we are involved with a budget and after the budget, hopefully back is approved and after the budget, assuming we have the support of all the republicans because we will have no support from the democrats or almost no support because they had become obstructionists and they have no good policies and frankly they are not good politicians but they are good obstructionists. That is what they do well obstruct. The number of nominees i have approved by the democrats are about half of what president obama had, and when you look at that and you can look at judicial appointments. Look at how slow that is going. I have 145 ultimately, which is a tremendous number. We will have 17 court of appeals appointments. Theyre knocking approved. They are being slowwalked by schumer and the group of democrats, it is really disgraceful. Even people they know they are going to approve they take it right out to the end. They use every single minute, and i think it is a disgraceful situation. But obamacare is everything but dead. The people are not going to take it. They are not going to take it. In alaska, they had over 200 increase, in arizona they were 160 and i hear going up even higher. The people are not going to take that any longer. I think we are in great shape. I think we have the votes. And we will be doing that right after the largest tax cuts in the history of our country. Hopefully they are approved in the very near future. Is Graham Cassidy still the plan . President trump essentially, yes, block grants. In march of 2016, he said the potential for donald trump presidency, i hope we will not face this evil. And i wonder if after spending time with the president you have changed your mind. President trump i wish i knew that before my speech. [laughter] thee minister tsipras meeting we had with the president , the way he addresses us, the u. S. Is a strong part and their ability to intervene for good are very important. I want to confirm that the meeting we had was productive. Not a moment did i feel threatened at any time. I saw there was a very fertile outlook here in order to satisfy any differences we may have to find the Common Ground. A Common Ground which is really important for the relationship between our two peoples that are traditional and historical and for our common objectives. We need common values. We have common values excuse me. Dont forget that the value of democracy and freedom was born in greece, and it is one of the basic values that traverses american tradition. The president today of the u. S. Continues this tradition. I think our collaboration will be substantial and im very optimistic after the meeting we had today. President trump thank you, mr. Prime minister. I might just add that a number of countries were a little bit nervous at the beginning and i have very good relationships with the leaders of virtually every country i have dealt with. But the reason they were concerned was because i will not allow our country, the United States of america, to be taken advantage of by so many other countries all over the world. If you look at our trade deficits, massive trade deficits with virtually every country. You look at our jobs moving out to certain countries. And the companies are leaving and they are firing the people and the product is made elsewhere and then it is sold back into the United States. I will not be allowing that. I can understand how certain countries in the leaders of certain countries may feel, but we are just not going to allow the United States to be taken advantage of by other countries anymore, and there is nothing we can do about that. Thank you. You have a question. Mr. Prime minister, how do you plan to attract longterm Foreign Direct Investments in greece, and if you can elaborate, based on the steps greece is making to ensure that investors around the world know that greece is ready for business . Mr. President , how can the u. S. Support the greek efforts to fully turn the page, attract investments, and manage its debt . Thank you. This isnister tsipras one thing is to intervene legislatively to attract investment. It is different to work on a data basis to implement these intentions in a stable environment. We opted to reflect on the basic illnesses of greek public administration. And to create a friendly environment for Foreign Investment because this, investments means jobs and jobs means less unemployment and it means return of young people that have left greece. Educated greeks that have left greece to come back to greece. So what did we do . We passed a law in parliament that provides a stable tax environment, a fixed tax rate for 12 years for investments of high value. We simplified the procedures to provide licenses to investments. We introduced the fast track process for strategic investments. We also made significant changes to hit and combat the digitization of administration procedures. And our vision is to have a Digital Public Administration but we want to make it practicable. I have created a task force in the Prime Ministers office so we can see that laws are being implemented, and we are sending out a strong signal of political will to promote these projects. The president asked me earlier, the oldhappening with airport, where years ago, he himself as a businessman, was interested in it and he saw himself the let me start with you mr. President. A quick question about the federal reserve. Do you have any other candidates youre looking at other than howell, yellen, those already named . Within those five you will probably get the answer and i will be making the decision over the next rarely short period of time. Can you say who your favorite is . I like them all. I will make it decision shortly. Can i ask you a quick obamacare question as well . Mr. Trump sure. Lamarr Alexander says he made a deal to stabilize obamacare. Has the white house been involved in that negotiation . Mr. Trump this is a shortterm deal, we have been involved. We think ultimately block grants going to the states will be the answer. We think it is a good solution, we think it will save money, give People Better health care with a very much smaller premium spike. You look at what has gone on with that. Also, a much lower deductible so they can use it. Lamarr has been working hard with the democratic colleagues on the other side, patty murray is one of them, in particular and theyre coming up and very close to a shortterm solution. The solution will be for a year or two years and it will get us over this intermediate hump. We are very close to having the votes and we will get the votes for having the potential for having Great Health Care in our country. They are indeed working but it , is a shortterm solution so that we dont have this dangerous little period for Insurance Companies, by the way, for a period of one year or two years we will have a good solution but we will have a great solution ultimately for health care. They are working together and i know very much what they are doing. Thank you. Mr. Prime minister, on turkey, do you still regard turkey as a democracy . Should turkey remain a member of nato . I can say that despite our concerns regarding turkey, despite the concerns that are also based on the daily interventions. We continue to support the turkish course toward europe. We respected as a Regional Power and we believe it must a oriented toward the european perspective. Mainly oriented to its relationship with the west. And oriented toward nato. , we believe that european outlook of turkey can also be a lever of pressure so we can have those reforms. Toward the democratic position of the country. My answer to your question is relatively easy. Yes, we do believe turkey must remain within nato and its european, of course. On the other side we have to , ensure and we must make it clear to this ally of ours and its government that the road to europe and the day and collaboration with the west comes with certain conditions and responsibilities. One of them is to respect the national law, to collaborate, and not promote tension with ally countries such as greece. I do believe, i had the opportunity to go into detail on this matter with President Trump, explaining the need for the fulfillment of these conditions so there are clear messages. Also, toward the turkish administration. Mr. Trump ok, please. Thank you. Mr. Prime minister, how do you , as greeks like to hear about the deal and strategic importance of greece in the region, what is your government planning to do to enhance this role for the benefit of the bilateral relationship . Specifically in suda bay, what are the plans for it . And, mr. President , you praised greeces role in nato with the contribution. Amid the volatile region of the eastern mediterranean, what do you see as the potential of greece being a pillar of stability in the region and what would the u. S. Like to see happening in order for greece to achieve this . Mr. Trump i should start by saying it has a great role instability in the area. We have a feeling that it will get stronger and stronger. Very stable people, it has the once it gets hurdle itfinancial is in the process of working out, we think there will be great stability in greece, militarily, and every way we look at it is very important. Very important to the United States. We have great confidence in greece as a nation. We have great confidence in what they are doing relative to their military because i know they have plans to do some terrific things. We know they will be an ally for many years to come. They have always been a reliable ally and we have always been reliable to them. We look forward to that for many years. We will be friends for many years. Stability is important and we look upon that with respect to greece as being a key. Ok . Thank you. Regarding the initiatives we have taken to broaden the strategic role of greece as a reliable partner, both in the eu and nato, i would like to say that from the first moment we took over the administration, we moved, preceded to a new dogma through the basic aim to enhance the role of greece as a country that is a pillar of safety, security, and stability in a very sensitive and unstable area. We enhanced our collaboration with partners in the area, egypt and israel. Greece, cyprus, and israel, and with other countries in the area, jordan, lebanon. Our goal is to these multilateral collaborations, to ensure the collaboration, all stability, peace, and joint development and growth in this area. Greece for a number of years has been playing, it plays the role of a reliable ally of the u. S. It also has a unique feature. Greece may be talking with the arab world, with other countries in the east, so it is not just a nato member. It is a useful ally for the United States of america. As regards crete and the bay, we all know it is a strategic important site, we have evaluated it. It can and it must be upgraded. Enhanced. Mr. Trump i want to thank everybody. The Prime Minister came out here and he said this is so beautiful. I said, this is the rose garden. I think even the media likes the rose garden. [laughter] mr. Trump mr. Prime minister, it has been a great honor having you and i look forward to many years of friendship and working together. Keep up the good work. Thank you very much. [applause] this afternoon, remarks on President Trump on his tax policy. At 7 30omments live eastern on cspan. Tomorrow, attorney general Jeff Sessions is in front of the Senate JudiciaryCommittee Live at 10 00 a. M. Eastern. Also watch online at cspan. Org or the cspan radio app. On afterwards. Next over 90 of Sexual Harassment cases. What is that mean . The woman never worked or chose a career again and can never talk about it. She is gagged. Solvese do we sexualharassment cases . Ever finds out about it if you file a complaint or can talk about it ever. Nobody ever knows it happened to you arein many cases terminated and the predator is left to work. This is the way society has decided to resolve sexual arrest cases. Former fox news host Gretchen Carlson talks about harassment in her new book. She interviewed by washington. St columnist sally quinn next, a discussion on what is currently being done to enforce immigration laws