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‘Phase Four’ Stimulus Bill Could Come This Summer

Peter Navarro says the package could focus, in part, on creating American manufacturing jobs.

The federal government could initiate a “phase four” stimulus package to bolster the ailing American economy before the summer is through.

Economist Peter Navarro, director of the National Trade Council, said over the weekend of June 13-14 that President Donald Trump’s administration is considering a fresh stimulus package of at least $2 trillion.

Pete Navarro

Peter Navarro, director of the National Trade Council

The package could, according to Navarro, focus particularly on injecting more life into the United States’ manufacturing sector – something that could have importance to promotional products companies that produce domestically or are interested in doing so.

“The only way to fully rebuild the economy … is to significantly expand and strengthen our manufacturing base,” Navarro said. “Put simply, we need to create more manufacturing jobs. Manufacturing jobs not only provide good wages but also create more jobs both up- and downstream through multiplier effects.”

To meet the pressing needs of businesses and American workers, Navarro said a phase four stimulus package should be passed before August, but noted that could be tough to do as “Capitol Hill is a ghost town.” Even so, there are indications that a new stimulus bill could be ready before Congress’ August recess.

The precise amount of money to be included in a potential phase four stimulus isn’t clear. Top congressional Democrats like Nancy Pelosi have favored a $3 trillion package, while Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell would like a $1 trillion package, CNN reported.

Navarro said the Trump administration prefers a package of “at least $2 trillion dollars that is strategically focused around the President’s two simple rules – buy American, hire American – along with incentives for American companies to bring offshored jobs back home.”

Kevin Hassett, a White House economic advisor, has said the likelihood of a phase four stimulus is “very, very high.” The exact nature of the package, however, could be influenced by factors that include monthly unemployment number trends and macro economic data, he said.

“I can’t say exactly what (President Trump) is going to support,” White House counselor Kellyanne Conway recently said. “He’s been very clear about looking at a phase four, possibly infrastructure, more relief for distressed industries and individuals, growing the economy.”