Trump’s apparent acknowledgement on Fox News that his policies, including tariffs, could cause a period of “transition” for the economy was also disturbing – since it appeared to indicate that short-term pain is in the offing and that he is prepared for a country weary of high prices for groceries and housing to endure it.

President Donald Trump indicated that he's optimistic when asked about the current state of the economy on Tuesday after previously sidestepping questions about fears of a potential recession. Reacting to the growing fears of a tariff war,

President Donald Trump downplayed a sharp market selloff spurred by worries that his tariff agenda will drag the world’s largest economy into a downturn, saying he did not foresee the US going into a recession.