Donald Trump searches for new economic adviser amid reports White House 'unable to attract top talent'

'Everybody wants to work in the White House'

Donald Trump is searching for a new economic adviser after Gary Cohn announced his resignation, amid international concern about a possible trade war and mounting speculation the White House is struggling to attract top talent.

Mr Cohn, a former Goldman Sachs CEO who served as the director of the President’s National Economic Council, announced he was standing down after a year in the position over his disagreement with Mr Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on imported steel and aluminium.

Mr Trump thanked Mr Cohn for his service and later said he would soon be naming a successor to the billionaire banker and free trade advocate. “Will be making a decision soon on the appointment of new chief economic adviser. Many people wanting the job – will choose wisely!”

“What the president is saying about his ability to have his pick of top people for any job is false. Several ‘top people’ have declined to be interviewed...

Before Mr Cohn, 57, announced his decision, Mr Trump sought to play down media reports of chaos inside the White House, following the resignation last week of communications director Hope Hicks, the downgrading of Jared Kushner’s security clearance and his public scolding of Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Appearing with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven at the White House on Tuesday, Mr Trump said he was inundated with people who wanted to work with his administration.

“Many people want every single job. Everybody wants to work in the White House,” he said.

“They all want a piece of that Oval Office. They want a piece of the West Wing. And not only in terms of, it looks great on their resume – it’s just a great place to work.”

Yet many reports have suggested just the opposite, describing the White House as a toxic, uncertain place, where people are out for themselves only and are deeply troubled by Mr Trump’s admitted preference for a chaotic environment with people competing for his attention and priority.

Indeed, shortly after Mr Trump made the claim that everyone wanted to work for him, the respected New York Times political reporter Maggie Haberman tweeted: “What the President is saying about his ability to have his pick of top people for any job is false. Several ‘top people’ have declined to be interviewed.”

While every administration endures staff turnover, the Trump White House has a rate of 34 per cent, a level that has not been seen for decades, according to the Brookings Institution think tank.

Mr Cohn, who will leave the White House in a couple of weeks, had been instrumental in helping to shape the major Republican tax cuts that Mr Trump signed into law late last year. He had been one of the strongest voices urging the President against protectionism and pointing out that if he went ahead with his plan for tariffs, other nations could retaliate.

That is something that has already happened, with the EU, Canada and Mexico threatening to impose their own tariffs. Mr Trump responded by saying a trade war would be “good” for America.

The White House has said it will an announcement on tariffs either later this week or early next week. In answer to a question, press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters: “Yes, we are still on pace for an announcement on that at the end of this week.”

Asked about naming a successor to Mr Cohn, she said: “Look, that will happen when the President is ready to make that announcement. I’m certainly not going to get ahead of him and try do that right this second.” Among the names that have been mentioned to fill the slot are Peter Navarro, director of the White House National Trade Council, and conservative commentator Larry Kudlow.

On Wednesday, Germany was among those countries to voice its concern about Mr Cohn departure and the possible impact it would have on the direction of Mr Trump’s administration.

Germany’s economy minister Brigitte Zypries said she hoped Mr Trump would change his mind on import tariffs.

“The situation is serious,’ she said of Mr Trump’s decision to impose import tariffs and the departure of Mr Cohn, who was seen as a moderating voice in the White House.

According to Reuters, she added: “I hope Trump changes his mind.”