Hassett's statements during his interview appearance on NBC News' Meet the Press shows that the White House intends to hold steady on its tariffs even as economic data raises concerns about the impact they may have on growth, prices, and job creation as well as lasting consequences for global trade.

After Canada failed to strike a trade deal with Washington, the president raised tariffs on some Canadian exports this week.

Trump signed an order imposing steep tariffs on 66 countries, the European Union, Taiwan and the Falkland Islands, to go into effect Aug. 7, after he originally threatened them for April but postponed twice after that until Aug.