Voters elected Trump to find a way to curb the hotter inflation that occurred under President Joe Biden. But the president has also sought to impose tariffs to extract concessions and raise revenues on the belief — which many economists dispute — that America’s yawning trade deficit is a sign of weakness.

The latest remarks come just as new inflation data showed prices picking up more than expected. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will also answer questions in Congress on Wednesday.

US inflation jumped to 3% in January, defying forecasts and adding pressure on the Federal Reserve to rethink its timeline for interest rate cuts.

Trump's first inflation report since beginning his second term shows prices have risen more than expected.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics will release the consumer price index report for January on Wednesday, Feb. 12.