White House senior trade adviser Peter Navarro warned reporters Wednesday that their media coverage affects how the economy reacts and that most media coverage is unfair to President Trump.
“The last thing I’ll say is, I would just ask you in the media to understand your responsibility. I know that there’s a lot of folks in the media who don’t like this president,” he said.
“The media, the legacy media, in particular, has published far more negative stories than positive. But when you write for broadcast that there’s going to be wild inflation and recession and set people’s hair on fire, that does possibly have impacts on consumer confidence.”
He added, “When you do that without justifiable data to back it up, some of you have been doing it, it doesn’t serve the purpose of this country. You actually do harm when you do that.”
Mr. Navarro made the remarks one day after he pushed back on a reporter who asked about President Trump’s strategy regarding shifting his tariff policy approach towards Canada and Mexico.
Mr. Navarro told Sky News reporter Mark Stone during a gaggle with reporters at the White House Tuesday to “stop that crap” when Mr. Stone said Mr. Trump “seems to be changing his mind by the hour at the moment.”
Mr. Trump on Tuesday announced an increased tariff of 50% on Canadian steel and aluminum but decided to halt that proposal hours later.
However, there are 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports to the U.S.
Mr. Navarro defended Mr. Trump’s reversal, saying, “Looks like the president is negotiating strategically. So, stop with the rhetoric. Okay? Just stop that crap.”
“But he does seem to be changing his mind all the time,” Mr. Stone responded. “Stop that crap!” Mr. Navarro shot back.
Mr. Trump’s 25% across-the-board tariffs against Canada and Mexico last week came with an ultimatum. Both border countries must crack down on the circulation of fentanyl precursors and illegal immigrants into the U.S.
A day later, he established a carve out for auto manufacturers. The following day, he declared the tariffs would not apply to imports subject to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement he had negotiated during his first term.
It should be noted that 50% of imports from Mexico and 38% of imports from Canada are subject to the USMCA.
Mr. Navarro told White House reporters that Mr. Trump had withdrawn his threat to double the tariffs on steel and aluminum from Canada after Ontario Premier Doug Ford halted the electricity surcharge.
“Why is that? It’s a fact that he’s changing his mind every single day,” Mr. Stone said.
“Back up. Stop! Stop!” Mr. Navarro scolded Mr. Stone, prompting the reporter to say that he’s “allowed to ask questions for folks who weren’t out here.”
“Because here’s what we can do,” Mr. Navarro hit back, I can either stay here and answer your questions, and you can be civil about it, or you can hector me like this.”
“So, stand back. Get that thing out of my face,” he added, referring to the Sky News reporter’s equipment. “You’ve had your chance to ask questions. I will answer some other questions.”
The clash was similar to an interaction White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt had with an AP reporter earlier that day who attempted to test her knowledge of tariff policy, resulting in her lashing out at the reporter.
