Trump's top economist is leaving the White House

Kevin Hassett, the chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, is leaving the White House "shortly," President Trump announced on Twitter Sunday night.

Hassett has "done such a great job for me," Trump said, and is "a true friend." A conservative economist, Hassett has led the Council of Economic Advisers since September 2017, and helped Trump's senior advisers Jared Kushner and Stephen Miller come up with a proposal that would make it easier for immigrants with certain skills to enter the country, rather than giving priority to people with relatives already in the U.S.

Hassett's departure comes at a time when the United States is dealing with an escalating trade war with China and Trump is threatening new tariffs on Mexican goods. Trump is headed to Europe and said he will announce Hassett's "very talented" replacement once he returns to the U.S.

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