During a House Armed Services Committee hearing prior to the congressional recess, Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) spoke about the Trump Administration's tariffs on nations allied to the United States.
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00:00Thank you, gentlemen, for yielding.
00:02The chair now recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts, Mr. Moulton.
00:05Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
00:06Mr. Koh, you said in your testimony that stronger alliances is what this team is delivering.
00:13Are alliances with Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, the Philippines, and India included in your stronger alliances?
00:22Are those important allies for us in the Indo-Pacific?
00:25Congressman, absolutely.
00:26So you're raising tariffs 24% on Japan, 25% on South Korea, 32% on Taiwan, 36% on Thailand, 46% on Vietnam, only 10% on Australia, 18% on the Philippines, and 26% on India.
00:42How do these tariffs strengthen our alliances?
00:47Congressman, as I said before, the issue of tariffs is beyond purview of my position.
00:53Oh, so it doesn't matter? You don't think our allies care about tariffs?
00:56You seem to care about our allies and the relationship we have with them.
00:59You don't think tariffs have any influence on that?
01:02Congressman, I've had multiple engagements, personal engagements with allies and partners.
01:06Does weakening our allies' economies help our alliance?
01:10All the engagements that I've had, that I've seen the Secretary have with his counterparts, lead me to believe that our alliances and partnerships are very...
01:17That they like the tariffs? That it's a good move? It strengthens our alliances? Is that what you're saying, Mr. Koh?
01:23Our alliances and partnerships are in a very strong place.
01:27These tariffs are also going to raise prices for American consumers, including American troops.
01:33Will this be good for your soldiers, General Brunson?
01:36Do they have a lot of extra disposable income to spend?
01:39Congressman, in answer to the extra disposable income, I've got two college-age daughters that I'm still putting through college and a 15-year-old at home.
01:51I don't know that disposable income is what I would look at here.
01:54Admiral Pepero, when the tariffs raise the prices that your sailors and Marines pay at the commissaries for groceries, the PX, whatever, is that good for your sailors and Marines, higher prices?
02:07Higher prices will hurt our service members.
02:11Mr. Noe, you mentioned that... I appreciate the direct answer. Thank you.
02:14Mr. Noe, you mentioned that Secretary Hegseth recently traveled to the region to reaffirm our commitment to our allies.
02:23Is South Korea one of those important allies?
02:28South Korea is a very important ally.
02:30In his call several weeks ago with the...
02:34I wonder if the reason why you have to reaffirm those alliances is because of this trade war the president has started.
02:40But regardless of that, can you explain how pulling out Patriot batteries from South Korea demonstrates that commitment?
02:50Congressman, we face a very dangerous security environment.
02:56The department will...
02:57Yes, in the Indo-Pacific, which is your number one priority.
02:59So why are you pulling Patriot batteries out of South Korea to send them to the Middle East?
03:03I thought that China was the pacing threat.
03:06Do you disagree with that?
03:07Congressman, the department will continue to address threats as...
03:11General Brunson, is it helpful to you and South Korea and your alliance with the South Koreans to pull out a Patriot battery?
03:17Congressman, if I could be given just a second to explain the way we handled that.
03:21No, I don't want to know.
03:22I just want to know if it's helpful or not.
03:24I don't want an explanation.
03:24I just want an answer.
03:25And it would be helpful if you could give direct answers like Admiral Paparo.
03:28Admiral Paparo, back to you.
03:29I recently heard from a commanding officer under your command expressing frustration and disgust over Secretary Hegseth's illegal disclosure of top-secret targeting information detailing when American pilots would be over enemy territory on an unclassified platform that we know is targeted by our adversaries, including China.
03:48I've never heard from this commander about an issue like this before.
03:51He seemed concerned about the example that this sets for our troops.
03:56You have to make rapid operational decisions.
03:59Do you use signal chats to discuss operational plans and other classified information?
04:03No, Congressman.
04:04Do you allow sailors under your command to keep their jobs when they knowingly disclose classified information?
04:10No, sir.
04:11Do you criminally prosecute people under your command who knowingly, illegally disclose top-secret information upon which the lives of our pilots depend?
04:21We would if we encountered that.
04:23Do you allow your sailors and Marines to drink on the job?
04:27No, sir.
04:28Admiral Paparo, I assume you expect accountability from your commander.
04:33Secretary Hegseth said accountability is back at DOD.
04:38When you instill accountability in your subordinates, do you advise them to lie about the disclosure of classified information?
04:44No, sir.
04:45I expect integrity.
04:46Mr. No, you talked about restoring the warrior ethos.
04:49Is part of the warrior ethos disclosing top-secret information and then lying about doing so?
04:54Yes or no?
04:58Is that part of the warrior ethos?
04:59You were in the Army.
05:00Is that what the Army taught you?
05:03Congressman, there is—
05:04Yes or no?
05:04Did the Army teach you that, Mr. Neal?
05:06Gentlemen, the time has expired.
05:07Are you sure?
05:07Do you want to say that, Mr. Neal?
05:09If you wanted a lawyer to try and stage a first-cap vain uh-huh,
05:10the time has Ki-3-1 gun.
05:11Do you want to take advantage of caution?
05:12If you want to break and start your life, your breath- responsibility?
05:21If you want to keep keep seeing the evolving.
05:23Do you want to take advantage of this caution?
05:24Do you want to have��면 to stay on the 부erna?
05:25You want to vigilt until you wake up by doing so that, Wilson?
05:27Do you want to protect yourself from another leader?
05:29Do you want to buy takim in and buy things?
05:31If you want to do something, pump up fast...
05:31But don't do you want to stay on your level today?
05:33If you aren't to leave your vibration?
05:34Yeah.
05:34You're going to do something, wild.