Eric Trump, the executive vice president of the Trump Organization and son of President-elect Donald Trump, recently sat down for an exclusive interview with Benzinga’s Bibhu Pattnaik to discuss his thoughts on tariffs, inflation, and Federal Reserve policies.
Eric shared his perspective on how his father plans to tackle some of the country’s biggest economic challenges, including rising energy costs, government spending, and international trade. When it comes to tariffs, Eric isn’t concerned about their impact on inflation. In fact, he believes the key to lowering inflation is unlocking cheaper energy.
“Energy costs make up about 60% of inflation,” Eric explained, “and by freeing up energy, we can bring those costs down significantly.” He went on to emphasize that his father’s plan to boost domestic drilling and tap into natural resources would help lower energy prices, which in turn, could help ease inflation.
Eric also mentioned that his father’s proposed $1 trillion in government spending cuts during the first couple of years would be a game changer. “Cutting spending and lowering energy prices will push inflation and interest rates down,” he said, explaining how these changes could make it easier for people to buy homes, start businesses, and even invest in things like cryptocurrency.
On the topic of the Federal Reserve and its approach to managing inflation and the risk of a recession, Eric didn’t get into too many specifics. However, he did highlight his father’s strong leadership style when it comes to handling international issues and economic policies.
“He’s putting foreign powers on notice and telling them to stop playing games,” Eric said, referring to the President-elect’s approach to international trade and his efforts to hold other countries accountable for trade imbalances.
Eric praised his father’s tough stance on tariffs and foreign policy, especially when it comes to holding China and NATO accountable. “He’s not going to let foreign powers take advantage of us,” he said, adding that his father is focused on creating peace, stability, and economic strength for America.
As the Trump administration prepares to take office, Eric’s comments give us a glimpse into what could be the administration’s key economic priorities—energy independence, smarter government spending, and a more assertive approach to international trade.
