Trump asks bank executive to thank him for ‘incredible’ earnings

After President Trump signed the “phase one” trade deal with China on Wednesday at the White House, he questioned whether banking giant JPMorgan Chase & Co. would thank him.

“They just announced earnings, and they were incredible,” the president said. Mary Callahan Erdoes, head of asset and wealth management for the largest bank in the U.S., was present for the ceremony.

“They were very substantial. Will you say, ‘Thank you, Mr. President,’ at least, huh?”

Trump tells JP Morgan Chase CEO Mary Erdoes to say “thank you, Mr President” for their most recent earnings report and adds that his administration “made a lot of bankers look very good.” pic.twitter.com/iRUY8eHttl

— Oliver Willis (@owillis) January 15, 2020

On Tuesday, the firm announced that it had enjoyed the most profitable year in the history of U.S. banking in 2019. 

During his first term, Trump has been supportive of the banking and finance industries, rolling back regulations and policies put in place during the Obama administration.

Under the new trade deal with China, Beijing will buy an additional $200 billion in goods from the U.S. over the next two years.

Fifteen percent tariffs on $120 billion of Chinese imports will be cut in half, but the 25 percent tariffs on an additional $250 billion of imports will remain in place.