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1 00:00:00,500 --> 00:00:01,867 Mr. Carney: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. 2 00:00:01,867 --> 00:00:03,934 Thank you for coming to the White House for 3 00:00:03,934 --> 00:00:05,934 your daily briefing. 4 00:00:07,066 --> 00:00:08,900 As you know, later this afternoon, 5 00:00:08,900 --> 00:00:13,000 the President and the Prime Minister of Great Britain will 6 00:00:13,000 --> 00:00:17,633 be traveling to Dayton, Ohio, where the President looks 7 00:00:17,633 --> 00:00:22,166 forward to hosting the Prime Minister at an NCAA Tournament 8 00:00:22,166 --> 00:00:23,166 play-in game. 9 00:00:23,166 --> 00:00:26,667 As you probably know if you're a college basketball fan, 10 00:00:26,667 --> 00:00:29,934 Dayton has been a very enthusiastic host to the play-in 11 00:00:29,934 --> 00:00:32,467 games for a number of years now. 12 00:00:32,467 --> 00:00:33,934 We appreciate their hospitality. 13 00:00:33,934 --> 00:00:37,233 Dayton is the home of the Wright Brothers, 14 00:00:37,233 --> 00:00:40,934 the Dayton Peace Accords, and Guided By Voices -- the greatest 15 00:00:40,934 --> 00:00:42,766 rock and roll band of the modern era. 16 00:00:42,767 --> 00:00:44,300 (laughter) 17 00:00:44,300 --> 00:00:46,500 In my humble opinion. 18 00:00:46,500 --> 00:00:47,867 With that, I will take your questions. 19 00:00:47,867 --> 00:00:51,800 The Press: Doesn't the NCAA frown upon play-in? 20 00:00:51,800 --> 00:00:54,567 Mr. Carney: I'm not a sports guy -- at least in this job. 21 00:00:54,567 --> 00:00:56,400 (laughter) 22 00:00:56,400 --> 00:01:00,199 The Press: Two questions on Afghanistan, Jay. 23 00:01:00,200 --> 00:01:01,967 The President, in the Rose Garden today, 24 00:01:01,967 --> 00:01:05,132 in talking about the killing of the Afghan civilians and the 25 00:01:05,132 --> 00:01:08,967 need for an investigation, said, "We will make sure that anybody 26 00:01:08,967 --> 00:01:11,433 who was involved is held fully accountable." 27 00:01:11,433 --> 00:01:14,734 I just wanted to clarify, is there some reason to think that 28 00:01:14,734 --> 00:01:17,600 there was more than one person involved? 29 00:01:17,600 --> 00:01:20,265 Mr. Carney: Well, as I think you probably know, 30 00:01:20,266 --> 00:01:24,367 there was a briefing at the Defense Department where this 31 00:01:24,367 --> 00:01:27,834 was discussed, and I would refer you to my colleagues 32 00:01:27,834 --> 00:01:29,533 over at the Pentagon. 33 00:01:29,533 --> 00:01:33,033 There is an investigation ongoing. 34 00:01:33,033 --> 00:01:35,100 My understanding is there's no reason to believe that there was 35 00:01:35,100 --> 00:01:39,467 more than one shooter, but that they are talking to a number of 36 00:01:39,467 --> 00:01:42,600 individuals as part of that investigation. 37 00:01:42,600 --> 00:01:45,633 For more details, though, you should go to the Pentagon. 38 00:01:45,633 --> 00:01:46,333 The Press: Okay. 39 00:01:46,333 --> 00:01:51,333 And also, I wanted to go back to the issue of troop withdrawals. 40 00:01:51,333 --> 00:01:53,834 The President said twice today in his comments that he wants 41 00:01:53,834 --> 00:01:57,867 to bring the end to the war responsibly. 42 00:01:57,867 --> 00:01:59,767 He talked yesterday in some interviews about not having 43 00:01:59,767 --> 00:02:01,033 a rush to the exit. 44 00:02:01,033 --> 00:02:03,934 And last week from the podium he said when asked about his 45 00:02:03,934 --> 00:02:06,133 that he wants a gradual withdrawal, not a clip. 46 00:02:06,133 --> 00:02:09,000 So all of those signals point to this gradual, 47 00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:09,967 methodical withdrawal. 48 00:02:09,967 --> 00:02:11,967 Is there any serious consideration, 49 00:02:11,967 --> 00:02:13,734 given the incidents the last couple weeks, 50 00:02:13,734 --> 00:02:17,166 to something different than that, a faster withdrawal? 51 00:02:17,166 --> 00:02:19,367 Mr. Carney: Well, let's be clear, Ben. 52 00:02:19,367 --> 00:02:23,700 The President's policy is to withdraw our troops from 53 00:02:23,700 --> 00:02:27,667 Afghanistan as we transfer security responsible to 54 00:02:27,667 --> 00:02:29,000 Afghan forces. 55 00:02:29,000 --> 00:02:31,333 That's the strategy he put into place, 56 00:02:31,333 --> 00:02:34,066 and that's the strategy he has been implementing. 57 00:02:34,066 --> 00:02:37,633 We are in the middle of the drawdown of the surge forces. 58 00:02:37,633 --> 00:02:41,800 As you know, by the end of this summer, those 33,000 59 00:02:41,800 --> 00:02:44,166 troops will be home. 60 00:02:44,166 --> 00:02:49,500 And he has said that we will continue to remove U.S. 61 00:02:49,500 --> 00:02:55,367 forces through -- beyond the drawdown of the surge forces. 62 00:02:55,367 --> 00:02:58,934 The pace of that withdrawal has not been decided. 63 00:02:58,934 --> 00:03:04,834 And I think it's important to understand that in spite of 64 00:03:04,834 --> 00:03:09,667 recent events, the strategy is a broad-based strategy that looks 65 00:03:09,667 --> 00:03:13,767 at the achievement of our objectives and the fact that 66 00:03:13,767 --> 00:03:18,799 this President is committed to ending the war in Afghanistan 67 00:03:18,800 --> 00:03:22,767 responsibly, in a way that ensures that we have 68 00:03:22,767 --> 00:03:24,867 successfully taken the fight to al Qaeda, 69 00:03:24,867 --> 00:03:28,466 which is the number-one, primary objective of the strategy, 70 00:03:28,467 --> 00:03:32,433 and that we have stabilized Afghanistan so that Afghan 71 00:03:32,433 --> 00:03:36,966 security forces can be responsible for the security 72 00:03:36,967 --> 00:03:40,900 of their nation, and that we can ensure that Afghanistan will not 73 00:03:40,900 --> 00:03:44,333 be host to al Qaeda in the future. 74 00:03:44,333 --> 00:03:46,233 The Press: Well, just to quickly follow, you said that the pace has not 75 00:03:46,233 --> 00:03:48,734 been decided, and I realize nothing has been announced 76 00:03:48,734 --> 00:03:51,400 or formalized, but the President's language has 77 00:03:51,400 --> 00:03:54,567 consistently suggested a gradual, steady withdrawal 78 00:03:54,567 --> 00:03:57,367 after September of the remaining 68,000 troops. 79 00:03:57,367 --> 00:03:59,733 I'm wondering if that is still the position of the President, 80 00:03:59,734 --> 00:04:03,433 or if there is, in fact, consideration of something 81 00:04:03,433 --> 00:04:05,934 that would be faster than that? 82 00:04:05,934 --> 00:04:09,100 Mr. Carney: Well, I think we've made clear for some time now 83 00:04:09,100 --> 00:04:14,066 that the pace of the withdrawal of the remaining 84 00:04:14,066 --> 00:04:18,266 68,000 -- after the surge forces are withdrawn will be decided in 85 00:04:18,266 --> 00:04:22,033 consultation with NATO ministers and will have everything to do 86 00:04:22,033 --> 00:04:25,567 with the successful implementation of the strategy. 87 00:04:25,567 --> 00:04:27,133 And that remains the case. 88 00:04:27,133 --> 00:04:30,500 But contrary to reports that appeared today, 89 00:04:30,500 --> 00:04:33,300 there are no options being reviewed with specific troop 90 00:04:33,300 --> 00:04:36,567 numbers attached to them; there are no individuals promoting 91 00:04:36,567 --> 00:04:38,800 specific options over others. 92 00:04:38,800 --> 00:04:40,467 That's just simply false. 93 00:04:40,467 --> 00:04:45,767 The President is committed to drawing down forces, 94 00:04:45,767 --> 00:04:49,767 removing American troops from Afghanistan as we transfer 95 00:04:49,767 --> 00:04:53,867 security authority to the Afghan forces, 96 00:04:53,867 --> 00:04:57,133 and doing that in a way that allows us to achieve 97 00:04:57,133 --> 00:04:58,400 our objectives. 98 00:04:58,400 --> 00:05:00,467 And that has not changed. 99 00:05:03,767 --> 00:05:06,000 The Press: Does the White House have any more information about 100 00:05:06,000 --> 00:05:10,967 this accused soldier and the brain trauma that he 101 00:05:10,967 --> 00:05:12,066 may have had? 102 00:05:12,066 --> 00:05:16,133 Was he redeployed too quickly? 103 00:05:16,133 --> 00:05:18,332 Mr. Carney: Jeff, I don't have any information with 104 00:05:18,333 --> 00:05:23,333 regards to any individual who may or may not be involved in 105 00:05:23,333 --> 00:05:24,333 this incident. 106 00:05:24,333 --> 00:05:29,000 As you might guess, I would not comment on the specifics 107 00:05:29,000 --> 00:05:34,266 of an investigation that's just now gotten underway. 108 00:05:34,266 --> 00:05:37,266 The Press: Is the -- are you concerned at all about the issue of 109 00:05:37,266 --> 00:05:40,066 being deployed -- or redeployed too early in the 110 00:05:40,066 --> 00:05:41,734 light of an incident like this? 111 00:05:41,734 --> 00:05:45,000 Mr. Carney: Again, I can't comment on that in relation to 112 00:05:45,000 --> 00:05:47,533 any specific incident like this that's being investigated. 113 00:05:47,533 --> 00:05:52,834 And I don't -- even that answer I don't want to have read as 114 00:05:52,834 --> 00:05:56,700 even an acknowledgement of the specifics that you stated 115 00:05:56,700 --> 00:05:58,533 regarding one individual. 116 00:05:58,533 --> 00:06:04,600 The general issue of the duration of the war in 117 00:06:07,700 --> 00:06:10,700 Afghanistan, the duration of the two wars, 118 00:06:10,700 --> 00:06:13,433 Iraq having just been ended by this President, 119 00:06:13,433 --> 00:06:15,300 is one that this President talked about when he was running 120 00:06:15,300 --> 00:06:18,166 for office and one that the entire national security 121 00:06:18,166 --> 00:06:20,233 apparatus is very sensitive to. 122 00:06:20,233 --> 00:06:23,867 The remarkable sacrifice and commitment of America's men and 123 00:06:23,867 --> 00:06:29,166 women in uniform is something that this President comments 124 00:06:29,166 --> 00:06:33,667 on all the time, both publicly and privately. 125 00:06:33,667 --> 00:06:37,166 And the toll that that takes on the individuals, 126 00:06:37,166 --> 00:06:39,667 as well as on their families is substantial. 127 00:06:39,667 --> 00:06:40,900 And he's very aware of that. 128 00:06:40,900 --> 00:06:46,599 That's why he has made sure that the care that veterans receive 129 00:06:46,600 --> 00:06:51,200 is as top-notch as it can be, and he is committed to providing 130 00:06:51,200 --> 00:06:53,800 the resources necessary to ensure that, 131 00:06:53,800 --> 00:06:56,367 and why he is so committed to ensuring that our returning 132 00:06:56,367 --> 00:07:02,433 veterans get extra help as they enter the job market in 133 00:07:02,433 --> 00:07:05,166 an economy that is still just recovering from a 134 00:07:05,166 --> 00:07:06,633 terrible recession. 135 00:07:06,633 --> 00:07:09,400 The Press: And just on one other topic, the announcement this morning 136 00:07:09,400 --> 00:07:14,700 about the WTO ruling -- or the WTO case, rather. 137 00:07:14,700 --> 00:07:17,099 What was the reasoning behind the timing of that? 138 00:07:17,100 --> 00:07:19,867 Why was it announced today instead of maybe a couple 139 00:07:19,867 --> 00:07:20,633 months ago? 140 00:07:20,633 --> 00:07:25,500 And was the context of the election and the Republican 141 00:07:25,500 --> 00:07:28,400 race and the criticism from Republican candidates about 142 00:07:28,400 --> 00:07:32,532 Obama's China policy at all a driver for that timing? 143 00:07:32,533 --> 00:07:35,934 Mr. Carney: Well, it was announced today because today the 144 00:07:35,934 --> 00:07:38,767 time was appropriate to announce this new trade case. 145 00:07:38,767 --> 00:07:43,133 And this trade case that we've taken up at the World Trade 146 00:07:43,133 --> 00:07:48,734 Organization against China on the issue of rare earth 147 00:07:48,734 --> 00:07:52,299 materials is consistent with the approach this President has 148 00:07:52,300 --> 00:07:53,934 taken since he took office. 149 00:07:53,934 --> 00:07:58,767 As I think you heard a number of officials say in the past, 150 00:07:58,767 --> 00:08:03,166 and I'll repeat, we have taken cases against China to the WTO 151 00:08:03,166 --> 00:08:06,767 at a pace nearly double that of the previous administration. 152 00:08:06,767 --> 00:08:10,800 That begins going back to the early months of 2009, 153 00:08:10,800 --> 00:08:15,066 when we took the case on Chinese tires and won it. 154 00:08:15,066 --> 00:08:19,566 And the result has been that a thousand Americans have had help 155 00:08:19,567 --> 00:08:22,900 in ensuring that they kept their jobs because of that action. 156 00:08:22,900 --> 00:08:29,500 The President's commitment to ensuring that America's workers 157 00:08:29,500 --> 00:08:34,166 and businesses compete on a level playing field with 158 00:08:34,166 --> 00:08:36,467 competitors around the globe, and in this case China, 159 00:08:36,467 --> 00:08:39,100 is extremely firm and has been since he took office. 160 00:08:39,100 --> 00:08:42,600 And I think that's evidenced by the series of actions that we've 161 00:08:42,600 --> 00:08:45,033 taken with regards to China specifically, 162 00:08:45,033 --> 00:08:47,633 but also with regards to other countries when it 163 00:08:47,633 --> 00:08:48,834 comes to trade fairness. 164 00:08:48,834 --> 00:08:51,500 And this is of a piece of that commitment, 165 00:08:51,500 --> 00:08:53,700 as is the announcement the President made in the State 166 00:08:53,700 --> 00:08:56,033 of the Union address, the establishment of a 167 00:08:56,033 --> 00:08:58,066 Trade Enforcement Unit. 168 00:08:58,066 --> 00:09:02,467 That's also part of this ongoing effort to make sure that the 169 00:09:02,467 --> 00:09:06,066 Chinese understand, again, when it would -- it's not aimed 170 00:09:06,066 --> 00:09:08,500 solely at China at all, but when there are issues with China, 171 00:09:08,500 --> 00:09:14,033 that the Chinese understand that they need to compete on 172 00:09:14,033 --> 00:09:15,033 a level playing field. 173 00:09:15,033 --> 00:09:18,133 And if they do then we have no problem with that. 174 00:09:18,133 --> 00:09:21,834 And we certainly feel that given that opportunity, 175 00:09:21,834 --> 00:09:23,867 that we will -- our workers, our businesses 176 00:09:23,867 --> 00:09:24,900 will be highly competitive. 177 00:09:24,900 --> 00:09:27,132 And when you're taking about rare earth, I mean, 178 00:09:27,133 --> 00:09:30,633 these are important materials because they're the materials 179 00:09:30,633 --> 00:09:33,266 that are essential to technologies like cellular 180 00:09:33,266 --> 00:09:35,834 phones and hybrid vehicles and advanced batteries. 181 00:09:35,834 --> 00:09:38,834 I mean, these are markets and technologies and industries that 182 00:09:38,834 --> 00:09:42,000 the United States of America needs to dominate in the 21st 183 00:09:42,000 --> 00:09:46,266 century if we are going to succeed and have an economy 184 00:09:46,266 --> 00:09:47,367 built to last. 185 00:09:47,367 --> 00:09:48,500 The Press: But do you feel you have to emphasize the 186 00:09:48,500 --> 00:09:51,500 President's record because of Republican criticism about it? 187 00:09:51,500 --> 00:09:55,767 Mr. Carney: Well, no, because that would -- I guess you could say that 188 00:09:55,767 --> 00:09:59,967 we've been doing that for three years because of anticipating 189 00:09:59,967 --> 00:10:00,967 criticism about it. 190 00:10:00,967 --> 00:10:03,699 The fact is we've been at this for three years because it's the 191 00:10:03,700 --> 00:10:04,700 right thing to do. 192 00:10:04,700 --> 00:10:11,467 And we made that clear on the President's trip to Asia not 193 00:10:11,467 --> 00:10:13,033 long ago, late last year. 194 00:10:13,033 --> 00:10:15,233 And he's made it clear, and this administration has made it clear 195 00:10:15,233 --> 00:10:18,199 from the very beginning, from early 2009, again, 196 00:10:18,200 --> 00:10:21,934 citing that very early case at the WTO against China. 197 00:10:21,934 --> 00:10:25,300 So it's an ongoing effort. 198 00:10:25,300 --> 00:10:29,666 And this is just part of that consistent effort to make sure 199 00:10:29,667 --> 00:10:34,100 that our businesses, our workers have a fair shot 200 00:10:34,100 --> 00:10:37,867 at competing globally. 201 00:10:37,867 --> 00:10:38,666 Yes, sir. 202 00:10:38,667 --> 00:10:41,633 The Press: I wonder if you could respond to comments made 203 00:10:41,633 --> 00:10:45,033 yesterday by the Senate's number-two Republican, Jon Kyl. 204 00:10:45,033 --> 00:10:48,800 He said, in terms of the Afghanistan strategy laid 205 00:10:48,800 --> 00:10:51,233 out by the President, the President has been AWOL, 206 00:10:51,233 --> 00:10:52,834 and he's been apologetic. 207 00:10:52,834 --> 00:10:55,400 And I'm wondering if you can sort of offer 208 00:10:55,400 --> 00:10:57,333 any comment on that. 209 00:10:57,333 --> 00:10:58,666 Mr. Carney: I didn't see those comments. 210 00:11:02,266 --> 00:11:06,433 I think everyone who has been covering Afghanistan understands 211 00:11:06,433 --> 00:11:10,133 clearly that when this President took office, 212 00:11:10,133 --> 00:11:13,333 he inherited a war in Afghanistan that had been 213 00:11:13,333 --> 00:11:16,132 adrift, that had lacked a focus. 214 00:11:16,133 --> 00:11:23,967 I remember the Vice President saying that when he went out 215 00:11:23,967 --> 00:11:27,533 during the transition to Afghanistan on behalf of the 216 00:11:27,533 --> 00:11:31,300 President-elect, that he came back and was able to report that 217 00:11:31,300 --> 00:11:33,733 if you asked 10 of our people on the ground in Afghanistan what 218 00:11:33,734 --> 00:11:35,667 the mission was you would get 10 different answers. 219 00:11:35,667 --> 00:11:38,467 The President was committed to change that, 220 00:11:38,467 --> 00:11:43,633 and committed to focusing again our efforts in Afghanistan on 221 00:11:43,633 --> 00:11:46,467 our primary objective, which, after all, was al Qaeda, 222 00:11:46,467 --> 00:11:49,100 and that had been lost. 223 00:11:49,100 --> 00:11:54,066 I don't think there is any doubt -- and I'd be amazed if Senator 224 00:11:54,066 --> 00:11:57,800 Kyl could express a doubt -- that this President has taken 225 00:11:57,800 --> 00:12:01,266 the fight very directly and effectively to al Qaeda. 226 00:12:01,266 --> 00:12:05,400 And that is absolutely a result of his very focused, 227 00:12:05,400 --> 00:12:08,533 very clear-eyed strategy in Afghanistan and in the 228 00:12:08,533 --> 00:12:11,800 Afghanistan-Pakistan region. 229 00:12:11,800 --> 00:12:17,733 This is a challenging mission in a very challenging part of 230 00:12:17,734 --> 00:12:21,433 the world, and there have been setbacks along the way, 231 00:12:21,433 --> 00:12:24,333 even as we have executed this very clear-eyed policy. 232 00:12:26,066 --> 00:12:31,400 But this President made clear when he was running for office 233 00:12:31,400 --> 00:12:34,567 what he would do with regards to Afghanistan, 234 00:12:34,567 --> 00:12:40,934 and he has delivered very much on what he said he would do. 235 00:12:40,934 --> 00:12:45,333 And he is delivering now, as he withdraws U.S. forces 236 00:12:45,333 --> 00:12:50,766 from Afghanistan, in keeping with the strategy he outlined. 237 00:12:50,767 --> 00:12:52,300 Bill. 238 00:12:52,300 --> 00:12:54,065 Before you start, did anybody -- I just want to make -- if 239 00:12:54,066 --> 00:12:57,700 anybody has not yet seen Bill Plante's piece on Selma, 240 00:12:57,700 --> 00:12:59,533 Alabama, they ought to check it out. 241 00:12:59,533 --> 00:13:04,200 Bill, you may not know, covered the original events in Selma and 242 00:13:04,200 --> 00:13:08,400 was back there last weekend, and it was really worth watching. 243 00:13:08,400 --> 00:13:09,333 I'd check it out. 244 00:13:09,333 --> 00:13:10,033 Sorry to embarrass you. 245 00:13:10,033 --> 00:13:11,000 Go, Bill. 246 00:13:11,000 --> 00:13:12,133 The Press: Thank you for that. 247 00:13:12,133 --> 00:13:14,033 The President seems to be going out of his way to pay 248 00:13:14,033 --> 00:13:17,166 more attention to Prime Minister Cameron than to 249 00:13:17,166 --> 00:13:18,166 most foreign leaders. 250 00:13:18,166 --> 00:13:22,033 Is this because he's perceived in some quarters to have sort of 251 00:13:22,033 --> 00:13:26,000 shrugged off the so-called "special relationship"? 252 00:13:26,000 --> 00:13:32,834 Mr. Carney: No. I think the fact that we are hosting the Prime Minister 253 00:13:32,834 --> 00:13:37,566 in the manner that we are demonstrates the nature of 254 00:13:37,567 --> 00:13:39,066 the relationship between our two countries, 255 00:13:39,066 --> 00:13:41,500 the fact that it is a special relationship. 256 00:13:41,500 --> 00:13:47,967 And I think that was evident by the manner in which President 257 00:13:47,967 --> 00:13:52,834 Obama was hosted in London last year. 258 00:13:52,834 --> 00:13:56,867 And this is a great opportunity, as the President sees it, 259 00:13:56,867 --> 00:14:00,400 to reciprocate for that remarkable hospitality 260 00:14:00,400 --> 00:14:05,132 and he looks forward to this visit very much. 261 00:14:05,133 --> 00:14:12,834 And setting aside those formalities and the social 262 00:14:12,834 --> 00:14:15,566 nature of it -- the dinners and things -- this is an 263 00:14:15,567 --> 00:14:18,100 extraordinarily important relationship. 264 00:14:18,100 --> 00:14:19,767 I think we are speaking about China, 265 00:14:19,767 --> 00:14:22,266 and our relationship with China and our trade relationship with 266 00:14:22,266 --> 00:14:24,065 China is extremely important. 267 00:14:24,066 --> 00:14:28,233 But let's not forget that the United Kingdom invest 140 times 268 00:14:28,233 --> 00:14:31,599 the amount of China in the United States. 269 00:14:31,600 --> 00:14:34,000 I don't think most people know that. 270 00:14:34,000 --> 00:14:39,166 And the U.K. is a key ally across the globe 271 00:14:39,166 --> 00:14:45,633 -- in Afghanistan, in our efforts in Libya, in Syria -- 272 00:14:45,633 --> 00:14:46,800 around the globe -- in the Middle East. 273 00:14:46,800 --> 00:14:51,967 So I think the nature and the trappings of the visit are very 274 00:14:51,967 --> 00:14:55,133 appropriate given the kind of relationship we 275 00:14:55,133 --> 00:14:56,834 have with Great Britain. 276 00:14:56,834 --> 00:14:58,266 The Press: Well, not everybody gets to watch basketball 277 00:14:58,266 --> 00:14:59,867 with the President. 278 00:14:59,867 --> 00:15:02,367 Mr. Carney: But I think it's reflective of the kind of relationship 279 00:15:02,367 --> 00:15:04,300 that we have with the United Kingdom, 280 00:15:04,300 --> 00:15:05,733 and that previous Presidents have had 281 00:15:05,734 --> 00:15:06,834 with previous Prime Ministers. 282 00:15:06,834 --> 00:15:08,800 It's the nature of the relationship between the 283 00:15:08,800 --> 00:15:16,065 two countries that I think is reflected by the itinerary 284 00:15:16,066 --> 00:15:18,166 that's been developed for this trip. 285 00:15:18,166 --> 00:15:21,834 And I don't think it's a surprise to anyone 286 00:15:21,834 --> 00:15:29,266 that this administration wants to continue to build on that 287 00:15:29,266 --> 00:15:32,500 very longstanding, very special relationship. 288 00:15:32,500 --> 00:15:34,700 The Press: You've forgiven them for burning the White House? 289 00:15:34,700 --> 00:15:35,433 Mr. Carney: Almost. 290 00:15:35,433 --> 00:15:37,433 (laughter) 291 00:15:37,433 --> 00:15:38,367 Ed. 292 00:15:38,367 --> 00:15:40,533 The Press: Jay. I don't know if Bill had anything to do with the CBS News 293 00:15:40,533 --> 00:15:42,867 poll that also had interesting data, 294 00:15:42,867 --> 00:15:47,632 but it says that 54 percent of Americans believe gas prices are 295 00:15:47,633 --> 00:15:49,967 something a President can do a lot about. 296 00:15:49,967 --> 00:15:52,300 And since the President has said repeatedly that there's 297 00:15:52,300 --> 00:15:55,599 no silver bullet, is there a disconnect here where a majority 298 00:15:55,600 --> 00:15:58,300 of the public is saying, yes, there is something you can do? 299 00:15:58,300 --> 00:16:01,867 Mr. Carney: Well, putting aside individual polls and what they say, 300 00:16:01,867 --> 00:16:07,065 we're focused on the implementation of policies 301 00:16:07,066 --> 00:16:11,266 that will enhance our energy security, 302 00:16:11,266 --> 00:16:14,333 reduce our reliance on foreign oil imports, 303 00:16:14,333 --> 00:16:18,766 diversify resources of energy that we have that we depend on 304 00:16:18,767 --> 00:16:22,000 in this country, and by doing so, 305 00:16:22,000 --> 00:16:26,066 grow the industries that create good jobs in this country. 306 00:16:26,066 --> 00:16:28,233 There is no question that there's frustration out there 307 00:16:28,233 --> 00:16:32,867 in the country because of the high price of gasoline. 308 00:16:32,867 --> 00:16:40,699 And we have seen that occur over the years almost on a regular 309 00:16:40,700 --> 00:16:43,767 basis, either every couple of years or every year. 310 00:16:43,767 --> 00:16:44,734 It happened last year. 311 00:16:44,734 --> 00:16:46,934 It happened in 2008. 312 00:16:46,934 --> 00:16:49,367 I'm sure in the time that you've been covering Washington, 313 00:16:49,367 --> 00:16:51,867 it's happened more than that. 314 00:16:51,867 --> 00:16:57,132 What is a simple fact -- and I have engaged in this discussion 315 00:16:57,133 --> 00:17:04,266 from here with you and with others off camera -- is that 316 00:17:04,266 --> 00:17:09,033 regardless of how we got there -- and we got there in part 317 00:17:09,032 --> 00:17:11,300 because of the actions of this administration -- but regardless 318 00:17:11,300 --> 00:17:14,599 of what folks may say about what got us there, 319 00:17:14,599 --> 00:17:18,699 we are producing -- we have dramatically increased our 320 00:17:18,700 --> 00:17:20,633 production of oil and gas in this country in the last three 321 00:17:20,633 --> 00:17:22,200 years since President Obama took office. 322 00:17:22,200 --> 00:17:23,834 That is a fact. 323 00:17:23,834 --> 00:17:27,600 It is also a fact, contrary to the latest pushback from 324 00:17:27,599 --> 00:17:31,166 critics, that we have increased our production on public lands 325 00:17:31,166 --> 00:17:33,734 and waters over the last three years by 13 percent. 326 00:17:36,033 --> 00:17:38,332 And this is all to the good. 327 00:17:38,333 --> 00:17:41,600 This is all in keeping with the President's strategy, 328 00:17:41,600 --> 00:17:46,833 an all-of-the-above strategy, as we try to diversify our energy 329 00:17:46,834 --> 00:17:50,900 sources and become more energy independent. 330 00:17:50,900 --> 00:17:55,400 It also points to the fact that simply by increasing the 331 00:17:55,400 --> 00:17:57,400 production of oil and gas in this country, 332 00:17:57,400 --> 00:18:02,033 you will not then necessarily lower prices at the pump, 333 00:18:02,033 --> 00:18:05,966 because prices at the pump are dependent on a whole series of 334 00:18:05,967 --> 00:18:09,667 factors and are directly correlated to the global 335 00:18:09,667 --> 00:18:11,466 price of oil. 336 00:18:11,467 --> 00:18:15,533 And we're producing more, we're importing less, 337 00:18:15,533 --> 00:18:16,766 and the price of gas goes up. 338 00:18:16,767 --> 00:18:18,000 And that's because of growth in China, 339 00:18:18,000 --> 00:18:19,500 India and Brazil and other places. 340 00:18:19,500 --> 00:18:21,667 It's because of unrest in the Middle East, 341 00:18:21,667 --> 00:18:26,667 and it's because of a number of factors -- only a handful 342 00:18:26,667 --> 00:18:28,600 of which we can control. 343 00:18:28,600 --> 00:18:34,367 So in that situation, the President then focuses on a 344 00:18:34,367 --> 00:18:37,966 strategy that will continue to reduce our imports, 345 00:18:37,967 --> 00:18:41,200 continue to diversify our sources of energy, 346 00:18:41,200 --> 00:18:48,066 and create a situation where in the future we will not be 347 00:18:48,066 --> 00:18:51,533 as subject to the wild fluctuations in the oil 348 00:18:51,533 --> 00:18:53,699 markets as we are today. 349 00:18:53,700 --> 00:18:59,166 He is also very focused on what Americans are having to endure 350 00:18:59,166 --> 00:19:02,265 right now when they fill up their gas tanks. 351 00:19:02,266 --> 00:19:06,033 He has made sure, as I think I talked about yesterday, 352 00:19:06,033 --> 00:19:14,734 that his Justice Department has reconstituted the group that's 353 00:19:14,734 --> 00:19:16,667 looking into -- the unit that looks into potential 354 00:19:16,667 --> 00:19:18,166 fraud and speculation. 355 00:19:18,166 --> 00:19:23,000 He wants to ensure that we're making sure that that kind of 356 00:19:23,000 --> 00:19:25,800 activity is not taking place, and that consumers aren't 357 00:19:25,800 --> 00:19:26,867 getting gouged. 358 00:19:26,867 --> 00:19:32,767 And he is looking at a variety of ways that we can reduce the 359 00:19:32,767 --> 00:19:35,400 price of -- if possible, reduce the price of gas, 360 00:19:35,400 --> 00:19:38,367 or relieve the pressure that is driving the price of gas up in 361 00:19:38,367 --> 00:19:42,600 this country, and that includes relieving bottlenecks and issues 362 00:19:42,600 --> 00:19:44,399 like that around the country. 363 00:19:44,400 --> 00:19:46,633 But it is a fallacy, as I said yesterday, 364 00:19:46,633 --> 00:19:50,333 to suggest that there is some 3-point plan or 5-point plan out 365 00:19:50,333 --> 00:19:55,233 there that could magically, if you wave a wand, 366 00:19:55,233 --> 00:19:59,332 reduce the price that Americans are paying for a gallon of gas. 367 00:19:59,333 --> 00:20:03,767 I said yesterday that anybody who said that would be a liar, 368 00:20:03,767 --> 00:20:05,200 and I shouldn't have gone at motivations; 369 00:20:05,200 --> 00:20:07,567 I should have said that anybody who says that doesn't know what 370 00:20:07,567 --> 00:20:10,266 he's talking about. 371 00:20:10,266 --> 00:20:12,166 The Press: Last thing -- there's also -- obviously there's negative 372 00:20:12,166 --> 00:20:13,399 polls, there are some positive ones as well. 373 00:20:13,400 --> 00:20:17,700 The National Journal has one saying that more Americans 374 00:20:17,700 --> 00:20:20,567 believe the President's policies will lower gas prices than they 375 00:20:20,567 --> 00:20:22,834 believe Republican policies will. 376 00:20:22,834 --> 00:20:25,333 AAA has a survey: 84% of respondents said they've 377 00:20:25,333 --> 00:20:26,700 changed their habits. 378 00:20:26,700 --> 00:20:28,066 So it's obviously impacted them. 379 00:20:28,066 --> 00:20:31,867 That's tough, but some of them -- 16 percent -- for example, 380 00:20:31,867 --> 00:20:33,966 said that they've now bought or leased a more 381 00:20:33,967 --> 00:20:35,333 energy-efficient vehicle. 382 00:20:35,333 --> 00:20:37,467 They're changing their habits. 383 00:20:37,467 --> 00:20:39,633 Does the President see that as a positive sign that some of 384 00:20:39,633 --> 00:20:41,433 the things he's called for with renewables and 385 00:20:41,433 --> 00:20:42,834 whatnot are working? 386 00:20:42,834 --> 00:20:44,934 How do the American people's behavior, 387 00:20:44,934 --> 00:20:47,500 how does that fit into the all-of-the-above strategy? 388 00:20:47,500 --> 00:20:49,000 Mr. Carney: I think the American people -- and I know 389 00:20:49,000 --> 00:20:50,567 the President believes this -- are focused on their lives and 390 00:20:50,567 --> 00:20:57,300 on getting by, and putting gas in the gas tank, 391 00:20:57,300 --> 00:21:00,899 getting their kids to school, paying the mortgage or the rent. 392 00:21:03,700 --> 00:21:11,600 How people in the future approach the decisions about 393 00:21:11,600 --> 00:21:14,699 buying cars remains to be seen. 394 00:21:14,700 --> 00:21:17,600 But what is absolutely the case is that, 395 00:21:17,600 --> 00:21:19,667 because of the historic fuel-efficiency standards 396 00:21:19,667 --> 00:21:24,199 that this President put into place through executive action, 397 00:21:24,200 --> 00:21:28,500 working with all the major automobile companies, 398 00:21:28,500 --> 00:21:32,233 Americans who buy cars in the future will be buying cars that 399 00:21:32,233 --> 00:21:34,332 are much more fuel-efficient. 400 00:21:34,333 --> 00:21:36,934 By 2025, that fuel-efficiency average will be something like 401 00:21:36,934 --> 00:21:39,033 54.5 miles per gallon. 402 00:21:39,033 --> 00:21:44,734 That means an enormous amount of savings -- $1.7 trillion 403 00:21:44,734 --> 00:21:49,466 saved in costs for the American consumer. 404 00:21:49,467 --> 00:21:50,467 And that's important. 405 00:21:50,467 --> 00:21:53,233 And it is also important that -- I mean, it is simply a fact, Ed, 406 00:21:53,233 --> 00:21:59,600 and everybody knows it, that in the future we and other 407 00:21:59,600 --> 00:22:06,934 countries will be, by necessity, relying on a diverse array of 408 00:22:06,934 --> 00:22:15,966 energy sources: fossil fuels, solar, nuclear, biofuels, wind, 409 00:22:15,967 --> 00:22:17,800 advanced batteries. 410 00:22:17,800 --> 00:22:24,233 And we need to be in the thick of the competition in all of 411 00:22:24,233 --> 00:22:30,399 those industries, not just fossil fuel production, 412 00:22:30,400 --> 00:22:31,700 but all of them. 413 00:22:31,700 --> 00:22:33,033 And that's the President's approach. 414 00:22:33,033 --> 00:22:37,833 And that approach will result in jobs in this country and will 415 00:22:37,834 --> 00:22:41,500 result in more energy independence in this country. 416 00:22:41,500 --> 00:22:43,734 Kristen, and then Jake. 417 00:22:43,734 --> 00:22:44,734 Sorry, Jake. 418 00:22:44,734 --> 00:22:47,399 The Press: Human Rights Watch is reporting that Syria has 419 00:22:47,400 --> 00:22:51,333 been laying landmines near its borders with Lebanon and Turkey. 420 00:22:51,333 --> 00:22:55,600 What is your reaction to that, and does your intelligence match 421 00:22:55,600 --> 00:22:56,567 those reports? 422 00:22:56,567 --> 00:22:57,934 Mr. Carney: Well, I won't discuss intelligence. 423 00:22:57,934 --> 00:23:04,500 I'll simply say that I'm not surprised by, 424 00:23:04,500 --> 00:23:05,834 and no one in this administration would 425 00:23:05,834 --> 00:23:11,600 be surprised by dangerous, militaristic behavior by 426 00:23:11,600 --> 00:23:12,766 the Assad regime. 427 00:23:12,767 --> 00:23:17,467 After all, they have been waging war on their own people 428 00:23:17,467 --> 00:23:18,834 for many, many months now. 429 00:23:18,834 --> 00:23:24,000 And the toll of that war continues to increase. 430 00:23:26,200 --> 00:23:28,033 It's writing -- the Syrian regime is writing its own 431 00:23:28,033 --> 00:23:31,433 horrific page in history and the history of its country and the 432 00:23:31,433 --> 00:23:33,967 history of the region. 433 00:23:33,967 --> 00:23:37,667 And we continue to work with our international partners and 434 00:23:37,667 --> 00:23:42,800 allies through the "Friends of Syria" to pressure Assad, 435 00:23:42,800 --> 00:23:48,433 isolate Assad, to make clear to the world that Assad's actions 436 00:23:48,433 --> 00:23:53,667 are intolerable and that Syrians deserve a better future. 437 00:23:53,667 --> 00:23:56,734 We're working with our partners to try to get humanitarian 438 00:23:56,734 --> 00:24:05,433 assistance to the Syrian people and to try to bring about a 439 00:24:05,433 --> 00:24:13,066 resolution that results in Assad no longer being in power and the 440 00:24:13,066 --> 00:24:15,834 Syrian people being able to decide the 441 00:24:15,834 --> 00:24:17,166 fate of their country. 442 00:24:17,166 --> 00:24:20,066 The Press: Is there a tipping point in Syria that would cause 443 00:24:20,066 --> 00:24:23,133 the conversations to shift from humanitarian aid and sanctions 444 00:24:23,133 --> 00:24:25,700 to more intervention, more aggressive intervention? 445 00:24:25,700 --> 00:24:29,734 Mr. Carney: Well, it is certainly our position that providing arms 446 00:24:29,734 --> 00:24:33,966 -- which is one topic that I get asked about and others have 447 00:24:33,967 --> 00:24:36,700 discussed -- is not a move that we're considering right 448 00:24:36,700 --> 00:24:40,000 now because we believe it could heighten and prolong 449 00:24:40,000 --> 00:24:42,300 the violence in Syria. 450 00:24:42,300 --> 00:24:45,567 We are also still learning about the composition of the armed 451 00:24:45,567 --> 00:24:49,200 opposition in Syria and that's part of the process that we're 452 00:24:49,200 --> 00:24:53,867 undergoing right now as we engage with our allies on the 453 00:24:53,867 --> 00:24:55,966 matter, on the Syrian issue. 454 00:24:55,967 --> 00:24:58,400 So it is our position that we do not want to contribute to the 455 00:24:58,400 --> 00:25:01,667 further militarization of Syria because that could lead down a 456 00:25:01,667 --> 00:25:02,699 very dangerous road. 457 00:25:02,700 --> 00:25:05,533 The Press: And just looking forward a little bit, Jay, the President 458 00:25:05,533 --> 00:25:07,734 is visiting South Korea at the end of the month. 459 00:25:07,734 --> 00:25:10,766 Can you talk a little about his decision to visit the DMZ, 460 00:25:10,767 --> 00:25:13,266 obviously something that past Presidents have done? 461 00:25:13,266 --> 00:25:17,133 And also, what will his message be to South Korea given the 462 00:25:17,133 --> 00:25:19,433 recent developments with North Korea? 463 00:25:19,433 --> 00:25:22,133 Mr. Carney: Well, I would say simply that we coordinate very 464 00:25:22,133 --> 00:25:26,433 closely with our South Korean allies with regards to North 465 00:25:26,433 --> 00:25:30,333 Korea, and on a whole host of other issues. 466 00:25:30,333 --> 00:25:35,300 I think, speaking of state visits, 467 00:25:35,300 --> 00:25:37,899 when the South Korean leader was here, 468 00:25:37,900 --> 00:25:41,667 I think it made clear to the world how vital we consider 469 00:25:41,667 --> 00:25:43,766 that relationship, that partnership, 470 00:25:43,767 --> 00:25:45,367 that alliance with the South Koreans. 471 00:25:45,367 --> 00:25:49,899 And we are engaged with the South Koreans on a whole host of 472 00:25:49,900 --> 00:25:55,200 issues, including on economic issues and defense issues. 473 00:25:57,300 --> 00:26:00,633 And all of this -- the summit in Seoul is obviously about nuclear 474 00:26:00,633 --> 00:26:04,967 security, but our relationship with South Korea is vital and 475 00:26:04,967 --> 00:26:06,667 stronger than it has ever been. 476 00:26:06,667 --> 00:26:08,300 The Press: What about the DMZ part? 477 00:26:08,300 --> 00:26:10,367 Mr. Carney: Well, I'm not sure what we have announced, 478 00:26:10,367 --> 00:26:14,966 but it certainly is -- a visit to the DMZ would be reflective 479 00:26:14,967 --> 00:26:20,867 of the President's commitment to both security on the Korean 480 00:26:20,867 --> 00:26:29,265 Peninsula and the need for North Korea to live up to its 481 00:26:29,266 --> 00:26:32,700 international obligations, give up its nuclear weapons program, 482 00:26:32,700 --> 00:26:34,767 and return to the community of nations. 483 00:26:34,767 --> 00:26:37,033 The Press: Can you confirm that he's making that visit? 484 00:26:37,033 --> 00:26:38,199 Mr. Carney: I'm just speaking hypothetically. 485 00:26:38,200 --> 00:26:40,867 I'm not confirming that at all. 486 00:26:40,867 --> 00:26:43,166 Yes, Jake. 487 00:26:43,166 --> 00:26:45,033 The Press: If we could just parse the President's statement about 488 00:26:45,033 --> 00:26:48,166 Africa -- I mean, Afghanistan just a little bit more. 489 00:26:48,166 --> 00:26:49,899 The President used the term "murder," 490 00:26:49,900 --> 00:26:54,166 which as I'm sure you know has a legal meaning in terms 491 00:26:54,166 --> 00:26:57,100 of malice aforethought. 492 00:26:57,100 --> 00:26:59,466 Are we to read anything into the first -- this being the 493 00:26:59,467 --> 00:27:01,767 first time he's used the word "murder" to describe 494 00:27:01,767 --> 00:27:03,800 what happened to those Afghans? 495 00:27:03,800 --> 00:27:06,100 Mr. Carney: I think Afghan civilians, innocent Afghan civilians, 496 00:27:06,100 --> 00:27:06,833 were killed. 497 00:27:06,834 --> 00:27:12,834 How that happened and why that happened is under investigation. 498 00:27:12,834 --> 00:27:16,934 So I wouldn't go beyond that, and I think that he was not 499 00:27:16,934 --> 00:27:18,367 going beyond that. 500 00:27:18,367 --> 00:27:20,767 But it is a fact that these Afghan civilians, 501 00:27:20,767 --> 00:27:23,467 innocent civilians, were killed, as I understand it. 502 00:27:23,467 --> 00:27:25,767 And this was a tragic event, and as the President said, 503 00:27:25,767 --> 00:27:29,734 it is not reflective of who we are. 504 00:27:29,734 --> 00:27:33,233 It is not reflective of the values of the American military. 505 00:27:33,233 --> 00:27:38,667 And he certainly believes, and I know that everyone is this 506 00:27:38,667 --> 00:27:44,065 administration and everyone over at the Pentagon believes that we 507 00:27:44,066 --> 00:27:48,000 need to make sure that this is fully investigated and that 508 00:27:48,000 --> 00:27:51,433 anyone involved will be held accountable. 509 00:27:51,433 --> 00:27:53,100 The Press: Well -- and that was the other thing I wanted to ask. 510 00:27:53,100 --> 00:27:54,500 I know Ben asked about this already, 511 00:27:54,500 --> 00:27:58,467 but the Pentagon seems fairly certain in their statements that 512 00:27:58,467 --> 00:28:00,500 there was only one person involved. 513 00:28:00,500 --> 00:28:04,066 Is the fact that the President is saying "anyone involved" a 514 00:28:04,066 --> 00:28:08,700 suggestion that there might be others in the chain of command 515 00:28:08,700 --> 00:28:11,567 who are held responsible for other reasons? 516 00:28:11,567 --> 00:28:14,433 Mr. Carney: I think -- and I understand that a lot of things have been 517 00:28:14,433 --> 00:28:18,800 happening today, and briefings that might have happened, 518 00:28:18,800 --> 00:28:21,399 or have happened across the river may not have 519 00:28:21,400 --> 00:28:23,600 been caught up to here, but I think the Pentagon 520 00:28:23,600 --> 00:28:25,367 discussed this. 521 00:28:25,367 --> 00:28:31,265 And my understanding is that they're simply saying that 522 00:28:31,266 --> 00:28:35,133 the investigation will include discussions with a number of 523 00:28:35,133 --> 00:28:39,000 individuals, but that it is still our understanding that 524 00:28:39,000 --> 00:28:40,166 there was one shooter involved. 525 00:28:40,166 --> 00:28:43,500 But for these details I think the Pentagon is the best place 526 00:28:43,500 --> 00:28:44,400 for information. 527 00:28:44,400 --> 00:28:47,233 The Press: No, but I'm just trying to have a full understanding 528 00:28:47,233 --> 00:28:48,867 of what the President was trying to convey 529 00:28:48,867 --> 00:28:49,600 and to whom he was -- 530 00:28:49,600 --> 00:28:51,734 Mr. Carney: I think the President was reflecting what 531 00:28:51,734 --> 00:28:54,934 the Defense Department has been saying on this issue. 532 00:28:54,934 --> 00:28:58,367 The Press: So it's just not to suggest that anybody else was involved, 533 00:28:58,367 --> 00:29:00,200 but not to preclude any conclusion that 534 00:29:00,200 --> 00:29:03,266 might come out of the Pentagon investigation? 535 00:29:03,266 --> 00:29:03,900 Mr. Carney: I think that's right. 536 00:29:03,900 --> 00:29:08,367 He is -- he's making clear that the investigation needs to take 537 00:29:08,367 --> 00:29:12,533 its course, that you can't make prejudgments about it, 538 00:29:12,533 --> 00:29:19,100 and that anyone who might have information about it will be 539 00:29:19,100 --> 00:29:22,833 spoken to as part of the investigation. 540 00:29:22,834 --> 00:29:25,066 But beyond that, I think the Defense Department is probably 541 00:29:25,066 --> 00:29:25,967 the best place to go. 542 00:29:25,967 --> 00:29:27,800 The Press: The only reason I ask is because obviously some of 543 00:29:27,800 --> 00:29:30,633 the initial reports from the villagers involved were that 544 00:29:30,633 --> 00:29:33,400 there were -- it might have been misunderstandings from 545 00:29:33,400 --> 00:29:37,333 seeing troops that were looking for this soldier, 546 00:29:37,333 --> 00:29:40,433 or troops that were trying to find out what he had been doing 547 00:29:40,433 --> 00:29:42,400 -- but there were initial reports, 548 00:29:42,400 --> 00:29:44,633 specifically I think to Reuters, in fact, 549 00:29:44,633 --> 00:29:46,500 from villagers that there had been more 550 00:29:46,500 --> 00:29:47,867 than one soldier involved. 551 00:29:47,867 --> 00:29:50,265 I understand the military doesn't think that's true. 552 00:29:50,266 --> 00:29:53,433 But when the President gives an open-ended statement like that, 553 00:29:53,433 --> 00:29:55,900 it just -- it feeds into -- 554 00:29:55,900 --> 00:29:59,033 Mr. Carney: Well, the President's statement was reflective 555 00:29:59,033 --> 00:30:00,466 of the fact that, as the Pentagon is making clear, 556 00:30:00,467 --> 00:30:02,600 investigators continue to work closely with 557 00:30:02,600 --> 00:30:04,233 Army and Afghan authorities. 558 00:30:04,233 --> 00:30:07,100 They also continue to interview a range of individuals with 559 00:30:07,100 --> 00:30:09,033 potential knowledge of these attacks. 560 00:30:09,033 --> 00:30:10,899 And I don't have further information about the nature 561 00:30:10,900 --> 00:30:12,200 of those interviews. 562 00:30:12,200 --> 00:30:16,600 Initial indications continue to indicate that there was 563 00:30:16,600 --> 00:30:18,867 one shooter. 564 00:30:18,867 --> 00:30:24,800 And so I'm not -- I want to be clear about that. 565 00:30:24,800 --> 00:30:27,700 But I also want to be clear that the investigation will 566 00:30:27,700 --> 00:30:31,467 include interviews with a range of individuals with 567 00:30:31,467 --> 00:30:33,734 potential knowledge. 568 00:30:33,734 --> 00:30:34,399 Mark. 569 00:30:34,400 --> 00:30:37,033 The Press: Jay, can I just go back to something you said at 570 00:30:37,033 --> 00:30:38,766 the very beginning in answer to Ben? 571 00:30:38,767 --> 00:30:43,867 You said it was totally false to assert a report that there were 572 00:30:43,867 --> 00:30:48,399 officials in the administration advocating specific numbers for 573 00:30:48,400 --> 00:30:50,433 troop withdrawals. 574 00:30:50,433 --> 00:30:52,767 And I want to just make sure I understand that correctly. 575 00:30:52,767 --> 00:30:56,900 Are you saying by that that there is not a debate internally 576 00:30:56,900 --> 00:30:59,867 over the pace of withdrawal or whether withdrawal could 577 00:30:59,867 --> 00:31:01,367 be accelerated? 578 00:31:01,367 --> 00:31:05,133 Because that would run counter to previous troop debates, 579 00:31:05,133 --> 00:31:08,934 where there's always been a very vigorous debate between those 580 00:31:08,934 --> 00:31:11,734 who want to be aggressive and those who argue for being 581 00:31:11,734 --> 00:31:13,433 somewhat more cautious. 582 00:31:13,433 --> 00:31:15,100 Mr. Carney: Well, I can tell you that -- I mean, 583 00:31:15,100 --> 00:31:16,966 I can't account for every conversation that's happened 584 00:31:16,967 --> 00:31:21,066 around the water cooler or in front of the takeout window at 585 00:31:21,066 --> 00:31:23,867 the Navy Mess, but I can tell you that the report that there 586 00:31:23,867 --> 00:31:26,200 are three options being considered is absolutely false. 587 00:31:26,200 --> 00:31:32,600 I can tell you that the report that a specific individual was 588 00:31:32,600 --> 00:31:35,433 pushing a specific option is false. 589 00:31:35,433 --> 00:31:39,266 There is no specific option or specific policy at this point. 590 00:31:39,266 --> 00:31:42,400 These are -- this will be the product of ongoing discussions 591 00:31:42,400 --> 00:31:43,767 with our NATO allies. 592 00:31:43,767 --> 00:31:48,567 So I can't really account for the nature of some of the 593 00:31:48,567 --> 00:31:51,100 reporting on this, but I can tell you that the specifics that 594 00:31:51,100 --> 00:31:54,667 I just raised are inaccurate. 595 00:31:54,667 --> 00:31:56,466 The Press: Just one more question on this. 596 00:31:56,467 --> 00:31:59,834 Is that to say, then, that the notion of an accelerated 597 00:31:59,834 --> 00:32:02,700 withdrawal has not come up in policy deliberations, 598 00:32:02,700 --> 00:32:06,567 or -- the phrase "option," which could imply something very 599 00:32:06,567 --> 00:32:08,233 formal that's laid on the table. 600 00:32:08,233 --> 00:32:12,533 Mr. Carney: I think we have made clear that the President, 601 00:32:12,533 --> 00:32:16,199 as part of his policy, will -- the President's 602 00:32:16,200 --> 00:32:22,800 policy will result in the bringing home of 33,000 troops 603 00:32:22,800 --> 00:32:25,100 by the end of this summer. 604 00:32:25,100 --> 00:32:31,199 Then, as per the decision made by NATO at Lisbon, 605 00:32:31,200 --> 00:32:34,300 the transition -- the full transition to Afghan security 606 00:32:34,300 --> 00:32:36,899 lead will take place by the end of 2014. 607 00:32:36,900 --> 00:32:42,934 The President has made clear that American troops will 608 00:32:42,934 --> 00:32:48,600 continue to be drawn down after those 33,000 are withdrawn. 609 00:32:51,233 --> 00:32:54,367 But the pace of that drawdown will depend on assessments made 610 00:32:54,367 --> 00:32:57,500 by commanders, by the President, by our NATO allies. 611 00:32:57,500 --> 00:33:03,000 And there is not a discussion about specific numbers or 612 00:33:03,000 --> 00:33:05,934 specific options at this time. 613 00:33:05,934 --> 00:33:07,066 It's simply not accurate. 614 00:33:07,066 --> 00:33:14,100 So we are in the midst of bringing those 33,000 home. 615 00:33:14,100 --> 00:33:18,367 It is certainly premature to talk specific numbers about the 616 00:33:18,367 --> 00:33:21,265 timing of drawdowns beyond that. 617 00:33:21,266 --> 00:33:21,900 Brianna. 618 00:33:21,900 --> 00:33:24,834 The Press: To follow on that, the general concept of accelerating the 619 00:33:24,834 --> 00:33:27,433 drawdown -- is that being discussed? 620 00:33:27,433 --> 00:33:28,834 Mr. Carney: Well, I think I just got that question. 621 00:33:28,834 --> 00:33:31,967 Again, I can't account for every conversation that might take 622 00:33:31,967 --> 00:33:35,300 place, but I'm saying, in an official atmosphere or 623 00:33:35,300 --> 00:33:39,533 an official meeting, we are focused on the implementation 624 00:33:39,533 --> 00:33:41,667 of the President's Afghanistan strategy, 625 00:33:41,667 --> 00:33:47,766 which is all about the fight against al Qaeda, 626 00:33:47,767 --> 00:33:51,800 the stabilization of Afghanistan and the gradual withdrawal of 627 00:33:51,800 --> 00:33:54,934 U.S. forces -- in this case, the surge forces. 628 00:33:54,934 --> 00:33:57,033 And that is happening and will continue to happen. 629 00:33:57,033 --> 00:33:59,766 The Press: The NATO summit is really not all that far out when 630 00:33:59,767 --> 00:34:00,467 you think about it. 631 00:34:00,467 --> 00:34:03,233 It's really -- it's hard to believe that in concept this 632 00:34:03,233 --> 00:34:07,200 isn't being discussed. 633 00:34:07,200 --> 00:34:17,199 Mr. Carney: I can assure you that the nature of our deployment in Afghanistan, 634 00:34:17,199 --> 00:34:24,466 how that deployment will look beyond the end of the withdrawal 635 00:34:24,467 --> 00:34:26,000 of the surge forces will obviously be a 636 00:34:26,000 --> 00:34:30,132 discussion with our NATO partners. 637 00:34:30,132 --> 00:34:34,199 But there is not now and there will not be at the NATO meeting 638 00:34:34,199 --> 00:34:39,165 an announcement of a number or a troop withdrawal schedule. 639 00:34:39,166 --> 00:34:41,300 That is not the purpose of the discussions. 640 00:34:41,300 --> 00:34:49,233 And, again, I can't say I'm privy to every conversation 641 00:34:49,233 --> 00:34:53,000 that's taking place in every corner of this building, 642 00:34:53,000 --> 00:34:59,133 but I can tell you that the overall policy is focused on 643 00:34:59,133 --> 00:35:02,165 implementing the strategy the President put in place, which, 644 00:35:02,166 --> 00:35:06,133 by the way -- and this is important that everybody 645 00:35:06,133 --> 00:35:09,834 understand -- has as its component the withdrawal 646 00:35:09,834 --> 00:35:18,299 of 33,000 U.S. troops by the middle of September -- so even 647 00:35:18,300 --> 00:35:21,266 as we continue to transfer security authority to the 648 00:35:21,266 --> 00:35:24,300 Afghan forces, as we continue to take the fight to al Qaeda 649 00:35:24,300 --> 00:35:28,533 and we continue to stabilize regions of Afghanistan. 650 00:35:28,533 --> 00:35:31,433 The Press: If I can ask about the rare earth minerals -- 651 00:35:31,433 --> 00:35:35,200 Senator Schumer and three other Democratic senators are urging 652 00:35:35,200 --> 00:35:38,533 the administration to do more than the President announced 653 00:35:38,533 --> 00:35:40,366 he was doing today. 654 00:35:40,367 --> 00:35:44,367 Specifically, Senator Schumer advocates urging the World Bank 655 00:35:44,367 --> 00:35:47,433 to block financing for Chinese mining projects and for the 656 00:35:47,433 --> 00:35:50,300 Interior Department to block Chinese-funded mining projects 657 00:35:50,300 --> 00:35:51,767 in the U.S. 658 00:35:51,767 --> 00:35:56,433 Why not do those things in addition or instead of what -- 659 00:35:56,433 --> 00:35:58,667 Mr. Carney: What the President announced today was 660 00:35:58,667 --> 00:36:00,567 the action that we are taking. 661 00:36:00,567 --> 00:36:06,834 And the action at the WTO is part of a consistent effort 662 00:36:06,834 --> 00:36:10,133 and a stepped-up effort, in comparison to the previous 663 00:36:10,133 --> 00:36:15,165 administration, in taking cases to the WTO that have to do with 664 00:36:15,166 --> 00:36:20,233 unfair trade, and reflect this President's commitment 665 00:36:20,233 --> 00:36:23,800 to ensuring that American businesses and American workers 666 00:36:23,800 --> 00:36:27,066 get to compete on a level playing field. 667 00:36:27,066 --> 00:36:30,600 This is a very strong action and reflects that commitment 668 00:36:30,600 --> 00:36:32,266 that this President has held since he took office. 669 00:36:32,266 --> 00:36:37,633 Now, without getting into specifics of this case, 670 00:36:37,633 --> 00:36:42,200 because I don't want to speculate about other actions, 671 00:36:42,200 --> 00:36:47,500 you can be sure that this administration is focused on 672 00:36:47,500 --> 00:36:51,367 leveling the playing field through a variety of means, 673 00:36:51,367 --> 00:36:56,266 including our dialogue with the Chinese and other countries 674 00:36:56,266 --> 00:36:59,800 where we have issues, trade issues, between us. 675 00:36:59,800 --> 00:37:04,967 So this is a multifaceted effort. 676 00:37:04,967 --> 00:37:06,734 But the announcement today is a serious announcement. 677 00:37:06,734 --> 00:37:11,734 And again, the measure of that is evident by the actions the 678 00:37:11,734 --> 00:37:15,667 administration has taken with the WTO in the past, 679 00:37:15,667 --> 00:37:21,165 and the result of those actions that have had significant 680 00:37:21,166 --> 00:37:24,400 benefits for American workers here in the United States. 681 00:37:24,400 --> 00:37:26,567 The Press: Doesn't this undercut the President's trying 682 00:37:26,567 --> 00:37:30,300 to do something when it comes to trade practices with China 683 00:37:30,300 --> 00:37:33,467 to have Democratic senators essentially criticizing him 684 00:37:33,467 --> 00:37:34,734 or saying he's not doing enough? 685 00:37:34,734 --> 00:37:42,900 Mr. Carney: Well, I think that the fact that leaders in Washington take this 686 00:37:42,900 --> 00:37:48,066 matter very seriously should not be lost on 687 00:37:48,066 --> 00:37:50,100 our trading partners around the globe. 688 00:37:50,100 --> 00:37:53,500 We believe that we ought to be able to compete on a level 689 00:37:53,500 --> 00:37:54,500 playing field. 690 00:37:54,500 --> 00:37:55,500 That's what this action is about. 691 00:37:55,500 --> 00:37:58,433 That's what the action with regards to tires was about, 692 00:37:58,433 --> 00:38:02,100 and the many other activities in this space 693 00:38:02,100 --> 00:38:03,734 that we've engaged in. 694 00:38:03,734 --> 00:38:09,500 So I can't speak to specific reactions by foreign 695 00:38:09,500 --> 00:38:13,767 governments, but the comments that you reference I think 696 00:38:13,767 --> 00:38:18,799 reflect a general desire to see a more level playing field for 697 00:38:18,800 --> 00:38:21,767 U.S. companies and U.S. workers. 698 00:38:21,767 --> 00:38:24,100 Ari, and then Roger. 699 00:38:24,100 --> 00:38:27,165 The Press: With the health care case coming up before the Supreme Court, 700 00:38:27,166 --> 00:38:28,667 can you talk about how important this is to the 701 00:38:28,667 --> 00:38:30,333 President and how closely he's planning on following 702 00:38:30,333 --> 00:38:31,400 the arguments? 703 00:38:31,400 --> 00:38:32,400 Has he met with Justice officials 704 00:38:32,400 --> 00:38:33,533 who are involved in it? 705 00:38:38,567 --> 00:38:46,467 Mr. Carney: The President believes that the Affordable Care Act is 706 00:38:46,467 --> 00:38:49,800 constitutional, and I think I've made that case here on 707 00:38:49,800 --> 00:38:50,767 several occasions. 708 00:38:50,767 --> 00:38:57,232 And we believe that and hope that the Court will recognize 709 00:38:57,233 --> 00:38:58,233 that and uphold it. 710 00:38:58,233 --> 00:39:01,033 But beyond that, we're focused on the implementation of the 711 00:39:01,033 --> 00:39:04,633 Affordable Care Act, which is already providing significant 712 00:39:04,633 --> 00:39:07,366 benefits to millions and millions of Americans: to young 713 00:39:07,367 --> 00:39:09,867 Americans who have insurance that they otherwise would not 714 00:39:09,867 --> 00:39:13,967 have had; to seniors who are getting access to preventive 715 00:39:13,967 --> 00:39:16,300 services that they would not have had access to, 716 00:39:16,300 --> 00:39:19,934 or free preventive services they would not have had access to; 717 00:39:19,934 --> 00:39:22,467 seniors who are enjoying huge savings on their prescription 718 00:39:22,467 --> 00:39:26,800 drug bills and the like. 719 00:39:26,800 --> 00:39:28,300 So we're focused on the implementation. 720 00:39:28,300 --> 00:39:31,567 There are a lot of milestones along the way in the 721 00:39:31,567 --> 00:39:36,767 implementation, and that necessitates a lot of focus on 722 00:39:36,767 --> 00:39:37,866 behalf of the health care team. 723 00:39:37,867 --> 00:39:44,700 And the case itself we'll leave to the Supreme Court. 724 00:39:44,700 --> 00:39:46,600 But I believe in fact that we'll be traveling on, 725 00:39:46,600 --> 00:39:51,500 as I understand it, on the day or the days of those arguments. 726 00:39:51,500 --> 00:39:53,700 The Press: So he has not -- the Solicitor General's Office -- 727 00:39:53,700 --> 00:39:54,433 Mr. Carney: I don't believe he has. 728 00:39:54,433 --> 00:39:56,867 Not that I'm aware of. Roger. 729 00:39:56,867 --> 00:39:59,300 The Press: Yes, thank you. 730 00:39:59,300 --> 00:40:04,500 Going back to Jeff's question about China and the WTO actions 731 00:40:04,500 --> 00:40:07,767 and the politics of it. 732 00:40:07,767 --> 00:40:11,100 The announcement comes on a day of the Republican primaries. 733 00:40:11,100 --> 00:40:14,799 It comes when the critics have been saying the President hasn't 734 00:40:14,800 --> 00:40:16,900 stood up to China enough. 735 00:40:16,900 --> 00:40:21,000 One of the analysts in town who has been covering the rare earth 736 00:40:21,000 --> 00:40:23,834 issue says, "I think it's transparent he's doing this 737 00:40:23,834 --> 00:40:25,966 now for electoral purposes." 738 00:40:25,967 --> 00:40:27,300 Can you respond to that? 739 00:40:27,300 --> 00:40:30,166 Mr. Carney: Well, I'll just respond in the way that I've responded already, 740 00:40:30,166 --> 00:40:32,900 which is ridiculous unless you think that the President 741 00:40:32,900 --> 00:40:36,734 and all the actions that he took were taken for 742 00:40:36,734 --> 00:40:38,967 those reasons even in the first few months of 743 00:40:38,967 --> 00:40:42,500 his administration, which is, of course, patently absurd. 744 00:40:42,500 --> 00:40:45,767 The President's commitment on this has been evident from the 745 00:40:45,767 --> 00:40:50,433 very beginning, and this is simply part of that effort. 746 00:40:50,433 --> 00:40:54,700 The fact that it takes place on a day when there are Republican 747 00:40:54,700 --> 00:40:58,133 primaries -- competitive Republican primaries, I mean, 748 00:40:58,133 --> 00:41:00,299 throw some spaghetti at a calendar and find a day when 749 00:41:00,300 --> 00:41:03,767 there isn't a competitive Republican primary. 750 00:41:03,767 --> 00:41:06,966 And it's possible that could be the case for many weeks going 751 00:41:06,967 --> 00:41:08,000 forward, I don't know. 752 00:41:08,000 --> 00:41:13,900 But we're focused on the -- the President's schedule is a 753 00:41:13,900 --> 00:41:19,166 complex organism, and this was the appropriate day to do it. 754 00:41:19,166 --> 00:41:23,734 He has an important ally coming into town, 755 00:41:23,734 --> 00:41:25,600 the Prime Minister of Great Britain; 756 00:41:25,600 --> 00:41:28,000 he has a state visit -- an official visit, rather, 757 00:41:28,000 --> 00:41:30,166 and a state dinner tomorrow night, 758 00:41:30,166 --> 00:41:33,066 and certainly many other matters to attend to. 759 00:41:33,066 --> 00:41:34,834 So the timing of this had everything to do with his 760 00:41:34,834 --> 00:41:38,734 schedule and the fact of the case, and not politics. 761 00:41:38,734 --> 00:41:41,165 The Press: Well, I guess the follow-up would -- the rare earth thing 762 00:41:41,166 --> 00:41:44,166 has been around for at least two years, maybe even three. 763 00:41:44,166 --> 00:41:47,400 Does it take that long for it to ask the WTO -- 764 00:41:47,400 --> 00:41:49,433 Mr. Carney: Sure -- because there's an issue, I mean, 765 00:41:49,433 --> 00:41:51,867 there are various steps in how these things are developed, 766 00:41:51,867 --> 00:41:56,033 and then the decision is made to -- a pretty consequential 767 00:41:56,033 --> 00:41:59,000 decision and serious decision is made to take a case to the WTO. 768 00:41:59,000 --> 00:42:01,633 You don't do that on the first day that you've discovered you 769 00:42:01,633 --> 00:42:03,500 have a problem. 770 00:42:03,500 --> 00:42:07,367 And then at that -- I mean, I don't think that's a surprise. 771 00:42:07,367 --> 00:42:10,367 So, I mean, the specifics of -- I would refer you to the 772 00:42:10,367 --> 00:42:17,600 agencies involved, but of course this is a very thought-out 773 00:42:17,600 --> 00:42:22,500 process by which you make the decision to take a case up, 774 00:42:22,500 --> 00:42:26,734 and then you make that case in the presentation. 775 00:42:26,734 --> 00:42:28,667 The Press: No politics involved? 776 00:42:28,667 --> 00:42:30,266 Mr. Carney: I think I've answered this. 777 00:42:30,266 --> 00:42:34,834 Again, Chinese tires, to start. 778 00:42:37,000 --> 00:42:37,900 Donovan. 779 00:42:37,900 --> 00:42:40,900 The Press: Thanks, Jay. Just a slight follow. 780 00:42:40,900 --> 00:42:43,734 Does this have -- no, no, does this have anything to do with 781 00:42:43,734 --> 00:42:45,967 the discussions with the Chinese Vice President that 782 00:42:45,967 --> 00:42:47,667 was here recently? 783 00:42:47,667 --> 00:42:50,467 Is this something that the President or the Vice President 784 00:42:50,467 --> 00:42:51,767 discussed with him? 785 00:42:51,767 --> 00:42:54,767 And if so, was there some turning point in those 786 00:42:54,767 --> 00:42:57,799 discussions that led them to believe there was not going 787 00:42:57,800 --> 00:42:59,200 to be further cooperation? 788 00:42:59,200 --> 00:43:00,533 Mr. Carney: Not that I'm aware of. 789 00:43:00,533 --> 00:43:02,433 Obviously, in those conversations, 790 00:43:02,433 --> 00:43:06,967 as is the case in our conversations with senior 791 00:43:06,967 --> 00:43:08,934 members of the Chinese government, 792 00:43:08,934 --> 00:43:12,400 the overall issue of trade is often a subject. 793 00:43:12,400 --> 00:43:16,100 But I don't know one way or the other whether this came up in 794 00:43:16,100 --> 00:43:18,400 any of the conversations that the Vice President of China 795 00:43:18,400 --> 00:43:21,567 had with the President and the Vice President here. 796 00:43:21,567 --> 00:43:24,467 This is -- as Roger points out, this has been an issue 797 00:43:24,467 --> 00:43:30,100 of contention for some time so it's -- and there have 798 00:43:30,100 --> 00:43:33,500 been discussions, I'm sure, at a variety of levels about 799 00:43:33,500 --> 00:43:34,967 it with the Chinese. 800 00:43:34,967 --> 00:43:42,700 And those discussions in the course of the problem have 801 00:43:42,700 --> 00:43:46,500 led us to this point where the President announced a new trade 802 00:43:46,500 --> 00:43:49,400 case on the issue. 803 00:43:49,400 --> 00:43:50,934 Yes, Jared and Steve. 804 00:43:50,934 --> 00:43:52,467 The Press: So, am I -- 805 00:43:52,467 --> 00:43:53,467 Mr. Carney: No, no, no. 806 00:43:53,467 --> 00:43:55,967 I can't really tell who you are yet with your new beard. 807 00:43:55,967 --> 00:43:58,133 (laughter) 808 00:43:58,133 --> 00:44:01,165 The Press: Today, Energy Secretary Steven Chu said before -- 809 00:44:01,166 --> 00:44:05,000 or disavowed before a congressional panel comments 810 00:44:05,000 --> 00:44:09,667 he made in 2008 about wanting to see European-style gas prices. 811 00:44:09,667 --> 00:44:12,400 And I'm wondering, did the President ask him to disavow 812 00:44:12,400 --> 00:44:13,033 those comments? 813 00:44:13,033 --> 00:44:14,866 Mr. Carney: No, he didn't. 814 00:44:14,867 --> 00:44:18,200 And I think this is an excellent opportunity to make the point 815 00:44:18,200 --> 00:44:23,966 that folks who cover this issue, who try to suggest that the 816 00:44:23,967 --> 00:44:28,934 statement of someone who wasn't even in government at the time 817 00:44:28,934 --> 00:44:32,233 is somehow a more significant indicator of the President's 818 00:44:32,233 --> 00:44:37,266 policy than the President's policy are engaging in politics 819 00:44:37,266 --> 00:44:38,266 on this issue. 820 00:44:38,266 --> 00:44:41,867 The President, on his watch over the past three years, 821 00:44:41,867 --> 00:44:44,967 has taken significant actions to increase -- to continue the 822 00:44:44,967 --> 00:44:47,734 increase and to increase domestic oil and gas production. 823 00:44:47,734 --> 00:44:49,667 It is part of his oil -- I mean, it is part of his 824 00:44:49,667 --> 00:44:55,967 all-of-the-above approach to our energy needs and security. 825 00:44:55,967 --> 00:45:03,066 And I know that it's part of the fun for folks to find these 826 00:45:03,066 --> 00:45:07,100 quotes and suggest that they have some deeper meaning, 827 00:45:07,100 --> 00:45:12,467 and maybe that would be the case on day one of a presidency. 828 00:45:12,467 --> 00:45:15,367 But we're in the fourth year of this presidency. 829 00:45:15,367 --> 00:45:20,033 And this President has a very clear record of aggressively 830 00:45:20,033 --> 00:45:23,700 pursuing domestic oil and gas production in a safe and 831 00:45:23,700 --> 00:45:29,366 responsible way on public lands as well as private -- ensuring 832 00:45:29,367 --> 00:45:32,467 that it continues on private lands and waters -- and in 833 00:45:32,467 --> 00:45:38,500 pursuing aggressively alternative energy industries so 834 00:45:38,500 --> 00:45:42,333 that we can compete globally in the future in those industries. 835 00:45:42,333 --> 00:45:45,600 Pursuing -- on his watch after all, 836 00:45:45,600 --> 00:45:50,266 we have now permitted the first nuclear power plant in 30 years. 837 00:45:50,266 --> 00:45:54,500 We are well on our way towards doubling our 838 00:45:54,500 --> 00:45:57,133 renewable energy production. 839 00:45:57,133 --> 00:46:03,066 We are less dependent on foreign oil now by a significant measure 840 00:46:03,066 --> 00:46:06,200 than we were three years ago. 841 00:46:06,200 --> 00:46:08,933 Those are the facts. 842 00:46:08,934 --> 00:46:12,033 I saw right before I came out here the comment that you made, 843 00:46:12,033 --> 00:46:18,066 and I certainly think that you can report on that based on the 844 00:46:18,066 --> 00:46:20,399 Energy Secretary, but let's be clear about what the President's 845 00:46:20,400 --> 00:46:21,266 policy is. 846 00:46:21,266 --> 00:46:23,133 The Press: -- now because of the criticism -- 847 00:46:23,133 --> 00:46:25,366 Mr. Carney: I would ask Secretary Chu. 848 00:46:25,367 --> 00:46:28,867 I think, partly because of what I'm saying, 849 00:46:28,867 --> 00:46:32,600 there has been an attempt -- a partisan -- largely partisan 850 00:46:32,600 --> 00:46:40,033 attempt to try to take comments like that and pretend that those 851 00:46:40,033 --> 00:46:44,767 are policy when in fact the policy reflects the contrary. 852 00:46:44,767 --> 00:46:47,966 The Press: Could you talk about why the President thought it 853 00:46:47,967 --> 00:46:51,333 was important to come out again today very publicly 854 00:46:51,333 --> 00:46:54,500 to talk about the Afghan shooting, particularly his 855 00:46:54,500 --> 00:46:57,300 comments direct to the Afghan people? 856 00:46:57,300 --> 00:47:00,100 Are there -- is there concern that U.S. troops 857 00:47:00,100 --> 00:47:01,767 could face reprisals? 858 00:47:01,767 --> 00:47:04,600 Did he feel the need to give some cover to Karzai? 859 00:47:04,600 --> 00:47:05,834 Is there some kind of -- 860 00:47:05,834 --> 00:47:07,033 Mr. Carney: Look, I think it's a fair question. 861 00:47:07,033 --> 00:47:10,200 I think obviously the President was asked this yesterday in some 862 00:47:10,200 --> 00:47:13,100 regional TV interviews and addressed this issue, 863 00:47:13,100 --> 00:47:16,967 but he hadn't spoken to you in the national press and the White 864 00:47:16,967 --> 00:47:20,934 House Press Corps, and felt and we felt it was important that, 865 00:47:20,934 --> 00:47:26,734 given the tragic events and rather dramatic events of 866 00:47:26,734 --> 00:47:32,000 Sunday, that he address the issue with you here. 867 00:47:32,000 --> 00:47:43,133 It also the case that he wanted to clearly express publicly what 868 00:47:43,133 --> 00:47:46,200 he did about his condolences to the Afghan people, 869 00:47:46,200 --> 00:47:48,133 as he did in his phone conversation 870 00:47:48,133 --> 00:47:50,366 with President Karzai. 871 00:47:50,367 --> 00:47:52,767 But I wouldn't read more into it than that. 872 00:47:52,767 --> 00:47:53,399 The Press: Thanks, Jay. 873 00:47:56,567 --> 00:47:58,200 Mr. Carney: Yes, sorry, last one. 874 00:47:58,200 --> 00:47:59,265 The Press: A question on China. 875 00:47:59,266 --> 00:48:03,133 First, Rick Santorum said he's willing to bring out a trade war 876 00:48:03,133 --> 00:48:06,232 with China, while Romney say this is the last thing 877 00:48:06,233 --> 00:48:07,166 he want to see. 878 00:48:07,166 --> 00:48:08,667 So what's the stand of the White House? 879 00:48:08,667 --> 00:48:13,266 Is the White House worried about a trade war with China? 880 00:48:13,266 --> 00:48:15,133 Mr. Carney: This administration is focused on our 881 00:48:15,133 --> 00:48:17,466 very important relationship with China. 882 00:48:17,467 --> 00:48:19,500 We, as the President said -- the President believes, 883 00:48:19,500 --> 00:48:23,934 we believe that China's rise is a good thing for the Chinese 884 00:48:23,934 --> 00:48:29,000 people and for the global community, 885 00:48:29,000 --> 00:48:30,867 a good thing for the United States. 886 00:48:30,867 --> 00:48:36,800 It is also important that as China becomes a bigger and 887 00:48:36,800 --> 00:48:41,967 bigger economic power, that China play by the same set 888 00:48:41,967 --> 00:48:45,834 of rules that other major economic powers play by. 889 00:48:45,834 --> 00:48:48,834 And that's the approach the President has taken. 890 00:48:48,834 --> 00:48:51,567 It's not one or the other; it's both. 891 00:48:51,567 --> 00:48:56,300 It's absolute engagement and it's a very important and 892 00:48:56,300 --> 00:49:01,367 complex relationship on a whole host of issues. 893 00:49:01,367 --> 00:49:02,934 It also, when we have differences, 894 00:49:02,934 --> 00:49:05,467 as we do on this matter, making them clear and taking 895 00:49:05,467 --> 00:49:06,834 action on them. 896 00:49:06,834 --> 00:49:11,533 The Press: Also, the China commerce minister believes that the 897 00:49:11,533 --> 00:49:15,567 bill that President signed into law today should not only 898 00:49:15,567 --> 00:49:20,734 break the WTO rules but also sort of violate the 899 00:49:20,734 --> 00:49:25,366 U.S. domestic trade laws, which America -- trade laws. 900 00:49:25,367 --> 00:49:26,834 Mr. Carney: Well, I haven't heard those comments. 901 00:49:26,834 --> 00:49:30,000 Obviously the President signed the bill because he thought it 902 00:49:30,000 --> 00:49:32,233 was -- it merited signing. 903 00:49:32,233 --> 00:49:34,300 So I don't have any comments with regards 904 00:49:34,300 --> 00:49:35,633 to that official's statement. 905 00:49:35,633 --> 00:49:36,265 Thank you.