Washington, June 6 (IANS) US President Donald Trump has celebrated stronger-than-expected employment figures, renewed his call for lower interest rates, and suggested Americans could eventually benefit financially from artificial intelligence companies.
He also mentioned that Washington was making progress in preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump repeatedly pointed to the latest jobs report as evidence that the US economy remains strong.
“So we had incredible job numbers today. You saw that,” Trump said. “The job numbers just came out, and they were fantastic, far better than even anticipated.”
He argued that strong economic growth should be viewed positively by financial markets and rejected the notion that growth necessarily fuels inflation.
“And you don’t have to have inflation by having growth, and we have great growth,” he said. “So I hope the market starts to learn that when you have good numbers, the market should go up, not down.”
Asked whether the Federal Reserve should cut interest rates, Trump said he would leave such decisions to Kevin Warsh, whom he described as “a very talented guy”, while making clear his own preference for lower borrowing costs.
“I’d like to see lower interest rates,” Trump said, adding that each percentage-point change has a significant impact on government finances.
On national security, Trump said he was interviewing five candidates to permanently lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence while Bill Pulte serves in an interim capacity.
“Bill Pulte’s very good. He’s very talented,” Trump said, adding that he would not object if staffing levels at the office were reduced. “If he cut, I wouldn’t mind that.”
Trump also outlined a potentially significant new idea involving the artificial intelligence industry. He said the administration was examining ways for the American public to share directly in the financial success of leading AI firms.
“There’s something very interesting about it where it almost becomes a partnership with the American public,” he said.
Trump said he had spoken with major AI executives and planned to host a White House meeting with industry leaders.
“All the big ones,” he said when asked which companies would attend. “They’re all coming to the White House probably next week.”
He added that the administration was exploring mechanisms through which citizens could benefit from the sector’s rapid growth.
“We’re talking about it, where the American people can benefit from the success of AI,” Trump said. “It’s probably the biggest industry, maybe, that we’ve ever seen.”
On energy markets and the Middle East, Trump expressed confidence that oil prices would remain under control despite regional tensions.
“We’re having great success with Iran,” he said. “They’re not going to have a nuclear weapon, and they’re in no position to have a nuclear weapon.”
Trump also said significant volumes of oil were moving through international shipping routes despite concerns over regional instability.
“A lot of oil is coming into our country. A lot of oil is coming into the world that people don’t even know about,” he said.
The President indicated that his administration was reviewing a proposed arms package for Taiwan and said he remained willing to speak with Taiwan’s president.
“We’re looking at that,” Trump said.
On Ukraine, Trump welcomed prospects for direct engagement between Moscow and Kyiv and suggested a resolution could be approaching.
“I think we’re getting close to where Russia, Ukraine — should have — it’s a war that should have never happened,” he said.
The latest US employment data comes as investors continue to debate the timing of future Federal Reserve policy moves. Strong labour market performance has remained a key indicator of economic resilience amid uncertainty over inflation, growth and interest rates.
–IANS
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