President Joe Biden told The Associated Press on Thursday that the American people are “very, very depressed” after two tumultuous years with the coronavirus pandemic, the volatility of the economy and rising gasoline prices. which are affecting family budgets.
He said a recession is not inevitable and faces claims by Republican lawmakers that last year’s COVID-19 aid plan was entirely to blame for inflation reaching a 40-year high. calling this argument “weird.”
As for the general American mentality, Mr. Biden said, “People are very, very low.”
“They’re very downcast,” he said. “The need for mental health in the United States has skyrocketed, because people have seen it all upset. Everything they’ve been upset about. But most of it is a consequence of what happened, COVID crisis “.
Speaking to the AP in a 30-minute interview with the Oval Office, Biden addressed warnings from economists that the United States could go into recession.
“First of all, it’s not inevitable,” he said. “Second, we are in a stronger position than any nation in the world to overcome this inflation.”
The president said he saw reason for optimism with the 3.6% unemployment rate and the relative strength of the United States in the world.
“Trust me, because I’m sure we’re better positioned than any country in the world to own the second quarter of the 21st century,” Biden said. “This is not a hyperbole, this is a fact.”
- In:
- Economy
- Joe Biden
- Inflation
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