Trump Says August Jobs Beat Expectations and Urges Fed to Cut Rates, Threatens Trade Action

President Trump said August payrolls rose 162,000 — far above expectations, “two to three times” forecasts — and urged the Federal Reserve to cut rates, arguing US credit conditions are now much stronger and the country should have among the world’s lowest interest rates.

He warned that if rates are not lowered he will halt trade with countries running large trade surpluses, citing a recent Supreme Court tariff ruling as affirming presidential authority to act and calling such measures preferable to tariffs.

He urged the Fed, under its new leadership, to act “patriotically,” saying high rates place the US at an unfair disadvantage.