US congressional address: Why India figures briefly in Trump's America First
"I am here tonight to deliver a message of unity and strength, and it is a message deeply delivered from my heart. A new chapter of American greatness is now beginning. A new national pride is sweeping across our nation, and a new surge of optimism is placing impossible dreams firmly within our grasp. What we are witnessing today is the renewal of the American spirit."
As Donald J Trump addressed the joint session of the US Congress for the first time as president in an hour long speech, the spirit reflected the State of the Union Address though not technically being one. Here are the key takeaways from the address themed "Renewal of the American Spirit".
1. Breaks silence on hate crimes, but deliberates only briefly
After refusing to address anti-Semitic threats to Jewish centres in his last two marathon press conferences till February 22, Trump addressed the issue. Early on into his speech he condemned the recent attack on a Jewish centre and the shooting in Kansas in which Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla was killed and his Indian colleague Alok Madasani injured, without naming the individual victims. The attack is being probed by the FBI and local police as a hate crime.
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| US President Donald Trump condemned the recent attack on a Jewish centre and Kansas shooting in which Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla was killed, but without naming the individual victims. |
"Recent threats targeting Jewish community centres and vandalism of Jewish cemeteries as well as last week's shooting in Kansas City remind us that while we may be a nation divided on policies, we are a country that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all of its very ugly forms."
Trump, whose presidential campaign built on hatred towards immigrants has been blamed for the fear backlash, broke a continued silence, but only had a few words to spare.
2. Harps on Make America Great Again: Message for India, China on trade protectionism
Lowering taxes and health Insurance, repealing and replacing Obamacare, scrapping international trade deals supposedly adverse for the American economy, creating jobs. Buy American-Hire American remained central to the speech in election campaign mode..
"I believe strongly in free trade, but it also has to be fair trade. It has been a long time since we had fair trade. The first Republican president, Abraham Lincoln, warned that the 'abandonment of the protective policy by the American government will produce want and ruin among our people'. Lincoln was right, and it is time we heeded his advice and his words."
For countries like India keenly watching Trump's next moves on curbing of H1B visas crucial for Indian tech firms and techies, Trump warned against misuse of visas and trade protectionism.
"I am not going to let America and its great companies and workers be taken advantage of anymore. They have taken advantage of our country. No longer. I am going to bring back millions of jobs. Protecting our workers also means reforming our system of legal immigration. The current, outdated system depresses wages for our poorest workers and puts great pressure on taxpayers."
Trump promised a new immigration system that will reduce family-based immigration and reduce visas to low-skilled workers.
"Switching away from this current system of lower-skilled immigration, and instead adopting a merit-based system, we will have so many more benefits."
3. Controversial Trump attempts a more humane face
The trademark brash, aggressive Trump who mocked a disabled reporter in his election campaign, gave way to a more reconciliatory president in the speech. He tried reaching out to communities.
A young physically challenged woman who survived a rare disease, an Afro-American student who rose above the poverty shackles, a Muslim man who lost his son reportedly to immigrant hate crime were seated across the visitor's gallery as Trump spoke about them.
But a rapturous applause broke out for Caryn Owens, widow of a Navy Seal operator Ryan Owens, who was killed in a recent operation in Yemen.
"The challenges we face as a Nation are great. But our people are even greater. And none are greater or braver than those who fight for America in uniform. We are blessed to be joined tonight by Carryn Owens, the widow of a US Navy special operator, senior chief William 'Ryan' Owens. Ryan died as he lived: a warrior, and a hero — battling against terrorism and securing our nation.”
The Yemen operation has been called as botched despite Trump administration painting it as a success. And slain Ryan Owen's father, Bill Owen, had refused to meet Donald Trump, instead seeking detailed investigations into the operation that also killed 20 civilians. The presence of Carryn Owens has raised eyebrows whether Trump is exploiting the family's grief.
4. Talks tough on terror, but focuses only on ISIS
"As promised, I directed the department of defense to develop a plan to demolish and destroy ISIS — a network of lawless savages that have slaughtered Muslims and Christians and men and women and children of all faiths and all beliefs."
Trump carried forward his Inaugural Day speech war cry of "eradicating radical Islamic terrorism from the face of the earth". But there was no broader plan outlined. Radical terrorism boiled down to Islamic State once again, with no mention of terror sanctuaries in the Af-Pak region or radical Wahhabi ideology propagation by the House of Saud. But there was recognition for the need to work with the Muslim world to fight the "Daesh threat".
"We will work with our allies, including our friends and allies in the Muslim world, to extinguish this vile enemy from our planet.
"I have also imposed sanctions on entities and individuals who support Iran's ballistic missile programme, and reaffirmed our unbreakable alliance with the state of Israel," said Trump.