AND NOW: Larry Kudlow: “I Would Buy The Dollar And Sell Gold”

Throughout the interview, Kudlow adhered to the Trump policy playbook.

When asked about David Stockman’s assertion that President Trump is setting Kudlow up to fail because of the president’s die-hard protectionism, Kudlow defended Trump’s plan to impose targeted tariffs on Chinese imports.

“I think China has earned a tough response, not only from the US. The US could lead a coalition of large trading partners and allies against China. You could call it a sort of ‘trade coalition of the willing’.”

“My problem with the steel and aluminum tariffs as they were originally announced might do harm to importers of steel and aluminum.”

* * *

Moving on to taxes, Kudlow commented on a report about “phase two” of the Trump administration’s tax reform.

If Kudlow had his druthers, he would get rid of filibusters and the reconciliation process, subjecting every piece of legislation to an up-or-down vote.

“This is the 21st century it’s the information age and they’re behaving like it’s the 1830s. I would just do a vote, up-or-down, first one to fifty wins – or first one to fifty plus Pence wins.”

Later in the interview, Kudlow reiterated that his top priority at the NEC would be maintaining a stable currency and stable prices.

He added that Nafta needs to be “reupholstered in many different ways.”

Returning to the topic of trade, Kudlow said he’s afraid there would be negative consequences for the US economy because it’s so intertwined with the economies of Canada and Mexico.

At one point, Kudlow recounted the story of getting “the call” from Trump. Kudlow was reportedly eating dinner at Cipriani in midtown Manhattan Tuesday night when Trump called to offer him the job. He abruptly left the restaurant and finished the call in the backseat of a taxi cab. Trump had previously called him that Sunday to discuss the job while Kudlow was playing tennis in Connecticut.

“Just to talk to him for 30-40 minutes at a clip for three or four days a week – it’s a wonderful thing,” Kudlow said.

“He asks good questions…if I try and give him the Kudlow thing…he’s going to come back and ask questions.”

Kudlow went on to defend Trump’s tax reform proposal, likening it to a business doing capex spending. He explained that he doesn’t have a problem for businesses borrowing money to invest in infrastructure – which he said the US is doing with its tax and infrastructure plans.

* * *

For those who are unfamiliar with Larry Kudlow, CNBC published a video outlining his views, and his career history…

* * *