In-town Pool Note #1: Hassett at sticks

Good morning – I’ll be your print pooler today.

Director of the National Economic Council Kevin Hassett gaggled at the sticks around 9:50 am for about 15 mins.

The director discussed a variety of topics. Full otter below.

On government shutdown: “We 100% want the government open. We agree with Speaker Johnson whose passed a bill to get the government open.”

Hassett encouraged federal workers affected by the shutdown to call their supervisors and receive guidance on economic aid like credit union loans offered with zero interest.

“We really urge the folks who are in that situation to talk to their supervisors because the supervisors have methods to help.”

On Trump-Xi meeting next week: says President Trump and President Xi “are great friends” and the administration was “frustrated with some of the Chinese actions” over the last few weeks but relations have improved in the past days.

On Canada trade talks coming to halt: Hassett says Canadians have been “very difficult to negotiate with” and that “frustration has built up over time” for POTUS. Comments follow Ronald Reagan ad and Trump terminating trade talks.

On CPI Inflation numbers: Says overall “numbers were fantastic" and down relative to August. Hassett says the top line 3% inflation rise was due to a shutdown in Indiana refinery which spiked gas prices across the Midwest. He pivoted to President Joe Biden’s “runaway spending” policies.

On SNAP benefit suspensions: Hassett says OMB Director Russ Vought will soon have an update on this.

Full otter: https://otter.ai/u/XhcNHC2lXRXQLmA_RWVdOoRrrQg?tab=chat&view=@@POOL_LINK_0@@

Mica Soellner

Bloomberg Government

Senior White House Reporter

C: XXX-XXX-XXXX

@micasoellnerDC