A day after President Donald Trump called the Federal Reserve “loco,” his top economic advisor said the White House is not trying to influence monetary policy.
Larry Kudlow, director of the National Economic Council, spoke Thursday to CNBC about the current state of the economy and its impact on markets.
On Trump’s remarks, he did not address them directly but said the administration knows the Fed has a job to do.
“The president has his own views. He’s stated them many times. There’s nothing new here as far as I can tell,” Kudlow told CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street. “We all know the Fed is independent. The president is not dictating policy to the Fed. He didn’t say anything remotely like that.”
The discussion came a day after the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell more than 800 points amid fears about rising interest rates, the escalating trade battle with China and a number of other factors. The market weakness comes amid an economy growing strongly and the unemployment rate at a nearly 50-year low.
Earlier in the day, Trump told Fox News that “this is the strongest economy we’ve ever had.”
Kudlow reiterated the president’s belief that current conditions are solid and said the stock market retreat should not be viewed as a reflection on what’s happening with growth.
“My own view is it’s a normal correction in a bull market,” he said. “The economic numbers are superb across the board.”
Stock market averages were mixed in morning trade after futures had pointed to steep losses.
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