A MARTÍNEZ, HOST:
As his top negotiators look to finalize plans to end the war in Iran, the president is turning the page a bit to the economy.
MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:
He is heading today to Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, where he will tour a Mack Trucks manufacturing plant to tout what he sees as his economic gains.
MARTÍNEZ: NPR White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez will be following the visit. So not a typical domestic trip for President Trump, Franco.
FRANCO ORDOÑEZ, BYLINE: Yes and no. But, A, I'd largely say no because of the timing of the visit. I mean, this is going to be his first domestic trip since signing an agreement with the Iranians to end their fighting in the Middle East. And as you mentioned, it's a chance for Trump to turn the page and focus on his domestic agenda. Now, I expect he'll outline some of the economic gains that he's been promising would happen once the fighting has stopped. I mean, politically, he also needs this. His approval ratings continue falling to record lows over his handling of the economy. According to NPR's most recent polling, just 36% of voters say they approve of Trump's overall job performance, while 59% say they disapprove. And that's the widest gap Trump has faced during either term in office.
MARTÍNEZ: Now, he's made big promises that gas prices and food prices will start to drop once the war is over. I mean, is that what you expect to hear today?
ORDOÑEZ: Yeah, to a certain degree. I mean, he's been very clear, when pressed about the high cost of living in America right now, that all that would change once the war is over and that the Strait of Hormuz is open again - that gas prices would plummet and as would other energy prices. And he actually acknowledges thinking about the political and economic consequences if that doesn't happen.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: I don't want to be Herbert Hoover. That's the president I don't want to be 'cause he - you know, he was in charge during the Great Depression.
ORDOÑEZ: And yesterday, he boasted that the strait was open and that there was now a, quote, "oil gusher." So I expect you'll hear some of that today, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if he urges folks to also have some patience.
MARTÍNEZ: More patience? OK. So what do you mean?
ORDOÑEZ: Well, I mean, obviously, there are a lot of factors that go into this. I mean, it's a very delicate and uncertain moment. I mean, but even if the Strait is reopened, it could take some time, likely months, until U.S. drivers see gas prices fall to preconflict levels. I mean, this was a monthslong blockade that severely disrupted energy markets and messed with prices across several sectors. I mean, the disruptions also involved natural gas, feedstock, fertilizer. It affected supply chains. So it could really be months before grocery prices come down.
MARTÍNEZ: All right. Now, getting back to the politics, especially with the midterms coming up, how important is it for President Trump to address the economy?
ORDOÑEZ: It's extremely important. I mean, pundits will tell you that voters don't go to the polls on foreign policy issues, but they will absolutely make their voices heard about inflation and higher prices. I quoted NPR's polling earlier, and it's not just Democrats who are concerned about the economy under Trump. Republicans are as well. I mean, 22% of Republicans say they disapprove of Trump's handling of the economy. A, that's a really big number for a president who has long had an iron grip on Republican support.
I mean, Republican elected officials - lawmakers have been clamoring for Trump to zero in on the economy for months now, especially with the midterms approaching. They've been doing this over and over again, but the Trump administration continues to talk about these issues in foreign policy. I think the real question now is whether it's going to be soon enough for Trump to make a difference, or is it too late?
MARTÍNEZ: That's NPR White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez. Thanks a lot.
ORDOÑEZ: Thanks, A. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.
