Trump Calls Dollar Very Strong, Concedes It Could Be Slowing Economic Growth

President Donald Trump on Tuesday praised the strength of the U.S. dollar, saying a strong dollar is good and keeps inflation in check, while simultaneously acknowledging a potential downside. "You can make that case," Trump said when asked whether a strong dollar slows economic growth, a notable admission that put his remarks in tension with each other.

The comments reflect the longstanding policy dilemma a strong currency presents: lower import costs and reduced inflationary pressure on one hand, and a drag on exports and overall growth on the other. Trump's willingness to voice both sides of that trade-off in the same breath is unusual for a sitting president, who typically guards against any language that could be read as dollar-negative or growth-pessimistic.