Trump economic adviser Gary Cohn quits White House

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON

President Donald Trump's top economic adviser is departing the White House after clashing with the president over planned tariffs on steel and aluminum, the White House confirmed Tuesday.

Gary Cohn's departure is the latest in a long string of West Wing defections. He is expected to leave in a matter of weeks.

Cohn, a free trade proponent Goldman Sachs veteran, had been counseling the president against his proposal to impose a 25 percent tariff on steel and 10 percent tariff on aluminum imports.

Cohn was critical to Trump's singular major legislative victory, playing a central role in the development of the Republican tax overhaul.

Trump's tariff plan has raised widespread concern about sparking trade wars with America's trading partners, including from Cohn and the president's allies on Capitol Hill.

Just last week, Trump's longtime aide and White House communications director Hope Hicks announced her departure from the administration after a staff secretary was forced out amid spousal abuse allegations.

Earlier Tuesday, Trump denied there was chaos in the White House, saying on Twitter that "people will always come & go", a now apparent signaling of Cohn's exit.

"I want strong dialogue before making a final decision. I still have some people that I want to change (always seeking perfection). There is no Chaos, only great Energy!" he said.

After Cohn's departure was made public, Trump struck a thankful tone, saying he "did a superb job".

“Gary has been my chief economic advisor and did a superb job in driving our agenda, helping to deliver historic tax cuts and reforms and unleashing the American economy once again. He is a rare talent, and I thank him for his dedicated service to the American people,” Trump said in a statement.

Cohn voiced his gratitude to the president in a statement issued by the White House.

“It has been an honor to serve my country and enact pro-growth economic policies to benefit the American people, in the passage of historic tax reform. I am grateful to the President for giving me this opportunity and wish him and the Administration great success in the future," Cohn said.