Trump Picks CNBC Pundit Larry Kudlow As Economic Adviser

China can expect the U.S. to take a tough stance when it comes to international trade, Larry Kudlow, the newly appointed director of the National Economic Council, said Wednesday.

President Donald Trump named CNBC's Kudlow to the position Wednesday to succeed Gary Cohn.

Kudlow's first task will be to negotiate the administration around a ticklish issue over tariffs on steel and aluminum that Trump announced last week. The moves appear to be part of a get-tough strategy that will include an especially hard line against China.

"I must say as somebody who doesn't like tariffs, I think China has earned a tough response not only from the United States," Kudlow said on CNBC's "Closing Bell," the network where he has been an anchor and contributor for a quarter-century.

In his first public interview since the president offered him the job Tuesday evening, Kudlow had harsh rhetoric for China.


Kudlow: China has not played by the rules for a long time from CNBC.

Kudlow added that he opposed what he saw as blanket tariffs originally, but softened his position when he saw that the White House would offer exemptions to Canada and Mexico as well as other countries willing to negotiation more U.S.-friendly trade positions.