Fox News’s Jacqui Heinrich asked White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt if President Donald Trump should tell Americans they’re in for “short-term economic pain.”
Markets have been roiled by Trump’s tariffs-on, tariffs-off approach to trade policy vis-à-vis Canada and Mexico, the two largest U.S. trading partners. The president’s whipsaw approach has fostered an uncertain business climate that’s rankled some analysts. Additionally, the Trump administration has laid off thousands of federal workers across the country.
White House officials have urged patience as trade talks play out.
Leavitt joined Wednesday’s America Reports on Fox News, where Heinrich cited a statement from the American Automotive Policy Council speaking out against tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada and Mexico. The organization said the tariffs “will add significant cost for automakers, suppliers, and consumers.”
“Steel and aluminum tariffs, obviously could have big impacts,” Heinrich said. “Is it time for the president to do an Oval Office addressmaybe? And try to explain …