Trump Aide Hassett Says U.S. Got ‘Amazing’ Tariff Deal Offers, Recession ‘100% Not’ Happening

Trump Aide Hassett Says U.S. Got ‘Amazing’ Tariff Deal Offers, Recession ‘100% Not’ Happening

By Steven Orlowski, CFP, CNPR

April 14, 2025

Washington, D.C. — Former White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett claimed in a recent interview that the U.S. received “amazing” offers for tariff deals under former President Donald Trump, and dismissed the possibility of a near-term recession, stating it is “100% not” going to happen.

Hassett, who served as Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers during Trump’s administration and remains a vocal supporter, made the comments during an appearance on a Sunday news program. He argued that Trump’s hardline trade policies, particularly the use of tariffs, were more successful than many critics have acknowledged.

“We had world leaders lining up to make deals once they saw we were serious,” Hassett said. “The tariff leverage worked. The U.S. got amazing offers—offers that protected American jobs and manufacturing.”

Hassett’s remarks come as trade policy once again takes center stage in the 2024 presidential campaign, with Trump running for a second non-consecutive term. Trump has repeatedly promised to reimpose or expand tariffs on Chinese goods, and has floated the idea of a universal baseline tariff on all imports.

While many economists have criticized tariffs as inflationary and counterproductive, Hassett insisted they were part of a “strategic toolbox” that helped restore American economic strength, particularly in manufacturing-heavy regions hit hard by decades of globalization.

“The data shows that after the initial disruption, we saw a resurgence in domestic investment,” he claimed. “Supply chains started coming home.”

On the broader economic outlook, Hassett was equally bullish. Despite persistent concerns over inflation, high interest rates, and slowing global growth, he brushed off any notion of an impending recession.

“A recession is 100% not happening,” Hassett said. “The fundamentals are strong—consumer spending is steady, job growth continues, and core inflation is cooling.”

His remarks have drawn skepticism from some economists who point to mixed signals in the U.S. economy, including a sluggish housing market, rising credit card debt, and recent softness in manufacturing output.

Still, Hassett doubled down, arguing that fiscal discipline and targeted pro-growth policies could maintain momentum.

“We’ve seen this movie before,” he said. “Pessimists always find a headline to cling to, but the reality is the American economy is uniquely resilient.”

Critics, however, warn that aggressive tariff policies risk reigniting trade wars and could trigger retaliatory measures from key partners like the European Union, Mexico, and China—potentially destabilizing fragile supply chains.

With Trump’s campaign gaining traction and the possibility of his return to office looming, Hassett’s comments suggest a clear roadmap for how a future Trump administration might once again wield tariffs as both economic and geopolitical tools.

As the debate over tariffs and economic resilience heats up, one thing remains clear: the divide over trade, recession risk, and America’s economic path forward is as wide as ever.