US Commerce chief defends greater government role in US companies

WASHINGTON, Aug 26 (Reuters) - U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Tuesday defended President Donald Trump's push for the federal government to take a greater role in U.S. companies, raising the possibility it could move into the defense industry.

"There's a monstrous discussion about defense," Lutnick told CNBC, when asked if the government could seek a role in the companies it does business with.

"There's a lot of talking that needs to be had about how do we finance our munitions acquisitions."