WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - President Donald Trump looked to continue to build support for his recently unveiled tax reform plan in remarks in Washington, D.C. on Friday.
Speaking to a meeting of the National Association of Manufacturers, Trump claimed the plan includes the biggest tax cut in the country's history.
The plan includes a reduction in the corporate tax rate to 20 percent from 35 percent, a consolidation in the personal income tax brackets to three from seven, and a sharp increase in the standard deduction.
Trump argued that the current tax code is the primary reason companies are moving overseas and outsourcing labor.
'Under my administration, the era of economic surrender is over, and the rebirth of American industry is beginning,' Trump said. 'America is winning again, and America is being respected again, and you see that happening all over.'
Trump also addressed the crisis in Puerto Rico at the top of his remarks, pledging support for ongoing relief and recovery efforts in response to Hurricane Maria.
The president also seemed to address criticism of his response to the disaster, noting that Puerto Rico is an island surrounded by water.
'We're closely coordinated with the territorial and local governments, which are totally and unfortunately unable to handle this catastrophic crisis on their own, just totally unable to,' Trump said.
He added, 'So there remains a lot of work to do and we will work with the folks who we're working with right now, they're trying very, very hard, I will tell you that, but nobody's ever seen anything like it.'
Trump also suggested the debt-ridden Puerto Rican government will need to work with the administration to determine how the massive rebuilding effort is funded and organized.
(Photo: Gage Skidmore)
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