Gary Cohn Carves Out Center Of Power In Trump White House
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Gary Cohn, the former Goldman Sachs exec and Trump economic adviser, has apparently become one of the biggest power brokers within the White House.
Cohn was critical to preventing the United States from withdrawing from the Nafta trade agreement with Canada and Mexico and has been a chief architect of administration proposals on infrastructure and taxes, Politico reported.
Cohn’s emphasis on global cooperation and pro-trade stance has put him at odds with the White House’s nationalist-populist wing, including strategist Steve Bannon and trade adviser Peter Navarro, who wanted a full withdrawal from Nafta.
“Gary doesn’t shy away from a debate. He likes debating people. He’s a New Yorker. He likes telling his viewpoint right to people’s face,” said an unidentified source close to the administration.
Cohn was also vocal about the Paris climate change agreement, which Trump decided to cancel American participation in during June. Cohn spent months building support within the White House and among energy companies for the United States to remain within the pact. Ultimately, he lost out, but clearly he’s retaining his influence in some critical ways.
Contact Daniel J. Solomon at [email protected] or on Twitter @DanielJSolomon
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