Trump's executive order late Thursday laid out rates to be applied against nearly 70 countries, ranging from 10% to 41% in what a Trump administration official hailed as the beginning of a "new system of trade." The new duties are now set to go into effect on Aug. 7.

Hassett's statements during his interview appearance on NBC News' Meet the Press shows that the White House intends to hold steady on its tariffs even as economic data raises concerns about the impact they may have on growth, prices, and job creation as well as lasting consequences for global trade.

An anemic July jobs report boosted expectations the Federal Reserve might lower interest rates in September. Trump said the jobs report was "rigged."