Trump Downplays Recession Fears Amid Escalating Trade War

In a pre-recorded interview aired on May 2, 2025, on NBC’s ‘Meet the Press,’ President Donald Trump addressed growing concerns about a potential recession tied to his administration’s sweeping tariff policies.

When asked about fears of an economic downturn, Trump responded confidently: “This is a transition period. We’re going to do fantastic things.” He emphasized that he is not worried about a recession and said simply, “Everything is fine.”

The interview comes amid rising trade tensions, with the U.S. having recently imposed a 10% baseline tariff on all imports and additional levies targeting goods from countries such as China, Canada, and Mexico. These measures have provoked retaliatory actions and sparked volatility in global markets.

According to recent data, the U.S. economy shrank by 0.3% in the first quarter of 2025, and consumer confidence has declined. Still, Trump maintains that these developments are part of a necessary restructuring to strengthen the American economy in the long term.

Critics argue that the tariffs are causing economic instability and warn that continued escalation could drive up consumer prices and disrupt supply chains. Trump, however, remains firm in his position, asserting that the nation will emerge stronger from this “adjustment phase.”

The full interview with President Trump is expected to be published on NBCNews.com later this week.