Speaking at the House Republican retreat, Trump urged GOP members to stick together.
DORAL, Fla.— President Donald Trump delivered a speech at the House Republican retreat on Jan. 27 at his Doral golf resort in Florida. During his speech, Trump laid out his tariff proposals, identifying the industries they will target.
“In the very near future, we’re going to be placing tariffs on foreign production of computer chips, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals,” Trump said.
“I’ll also be placing tariffs on steel, aluminum, copper, and things that we need for our military. We have to bring production back to our country.”
Trump last week said his administration could start implementing tariffs on products coming from China as early as Feb. 1.
“We’re talking about a tariff of 10 percent on China based on the fact that they’re sending fentanyl to Mexico and Canada,” the president told reporters at the White House. On the campaign trail, Trump had proposed a 60 percent tariff on all Chinese goods.
He also signaled on Jan. 20 that he may impose 25 percent tariffs on Mexico and Canada on Feb. 1 over their failures to address illegal immigration and the flow of fentanyl into the United States.
During his speech at Trump National Doral Miami golf club, the president also reiterated his promise to reduce corporate taxes from 21 percent to 15 percent for companies making products in the United States.
“We’re going to protect our people and our businesses, and we’re going to protect our country with tariffs,” he said.
“I’m also eager to get to work with Congress on the largest package of tax cuts and reforms in American history; we’ve got to get that done,” Trump said. “We don’t want to get hung up on the budget process … whether it’s one bill, two bills, I don’t care.”
During his roughly hour-long speech, the newly sworn-in president claimed victory following the approval of what he said was 350 executive actions so far since taking office on Jan. 20.
“There’s nothing we cannot achieve as long as the Republican Party remains united. I hope you can remain united,” Trump told GOP lawmakers who are currently negotiating the terms of a reconciliation package.
Approximately 170 out of 218 GOP lawmakers are attending this year’s conference in person, according to spokesperson of House Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain (Mich.). During their three-day planning session, House Republicans are expected to lay out Trump’s ambitious legislative agenda.
Trump has touted his executive actions since taking office, including imposing a federal hiring freeze, a freeze on federal regulations, and a halt to foreign aid.
Trump also hailed the Senate’s approval of Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense. His speech also came against the backdrop of Treasury Secretary nominee Scott Bessent’s Senate confirmation by a vote of 68 to 29.
Trump spent nearly 15 minutes talking about border security and illegal immigration.
He responded to comments from Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who wrote on X that illegal aliens on repatriation flights were “being treated like criminals.”
“These are murderers, drug lords, gang members, just the toughest people you’ve ever met or seen,” Trump said. “Have you ever seen the movie Con Air?” he asked, referencing a 1997 movie starring Nicolas Cage in which prisoners overtake a prison transport flight.
“You’ve got 2 pilots up there, and you’ve got 300 people sitting on a plane, every one of them either a murderer, a drug lord, a kingpin of some kind, the head of a mob, or a gang member, and you’re flying that plane.”
After a brief spat over deportation of illegal immigrants, the Colombian president agreed to Trump’s terms, the White House announced earlier, “including the unrestricted acceptance of all illegal aliens from Colombia” without delay.
In a statement late on Jan. 26, Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo said that his government will make “the presidential plane ready to facilitate the return of Colombians.”
Trump is also expected to sign new executive orders restricting openly transgender people serving in the U.S. military, as well as eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and practices within the military, the White House said on Jan. 27. These orders will apply to the various branches of the U.S. military and the U.S. Coast Guard.
Throughout his speech, Trump appeared confident and cracked jokes.
He said, “I’ve raised a lot of money for the next presidential race … that I assume I can’t use for myself, but I’m not 100% sure. I think I’m not allowed to run again. I’m not sure. Am I allowed to run again, Mike?”
Trump also praised Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), calling him “high quality” and “very religious person.”
Before ending his speech, Trump urged Republicans to stick together to increase their House majority in the 2026 midterm elections.
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