Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested critics of President Donald Trump‘s tariff plan should be open to cutting taxes, calling them “deflationary.”

Trump announced a sweeping tariff plan early last month, placing a blanket 10% tariff on imports into the United States and higher rates for select countries. Roughly a week after announcing the tariff plan, the president paused some of the higher rates, allowing trade deals to be made. He has since announced a trade deal with the United Kingdom and a temporary agreement with China, which reduced some tariffs.

Last week, Walmart announced the tariffs would result in higher prices, with CEO Doug McMillon saying the company was unable to absorb all the added costs. Trump responded on Saturday, telling the company it should “stop trying to blame tariffs.”

While appearing on Meet the Press on Sunday, Bessent was asked how far the administration would go to prevent corporations from raising prices in response to tariffs. The secretary suggested that his takeaway from those claiming tariffs are a tax on consumers is that “tax increases are inflationary.”

“When I was testifying before Congress last week, one of the congressmen said that, and I said, ‘Well, congressman, if taxes are inflationary, let’s cut taxes,’” Bessent explained. “So, let’s get this tax bill done, bring down taxes, which, according to this line of thinking, should be disinflationary.”

Bessent also argued that Walmart’s warning about raising prices was based on the retailer’s earnings call, in which retailers must provide “the worst-case scenario.” He said he called McMillon on Saturday but did not apply “any pressure” on the company to lower its costs.

“I just wanted to hear it from him,” Bessent said of McMillon and Walmart’s plan to increase prices.

The secretary noted that the Federal Reserve has not said tariffs will cause inflation but that it is “not sure.” Bessent’s assessment comes after inflation fell slightly in April, the same month the Trump administration unveiled its “Liberation Day” tariffs.

Bessent’s urge to provide tax cuts to consumers comes after House Republicans failed to pass the “one big, beautiful bill” out of the Budget Committee on Friday. The committee’s vote tallied 16-21, with Reps. Ralph Norman (R-SC), Chip Roy (R-TX), Josh Brecheen (R-OK), Andrew Clyde (R-GA), and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) joining all House Democrats in opposing it.

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On Truth Social, the president rebuked “GRANDSTANDERS” within the Republican Party and urged lawmakers to unite and get his “ONE, BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL” to his desk.

On Sunday, former Vice President Mike Pence expressed criticism over Trump’s handling of foreign relations, including tariffs. He was also critical of Trump’s acceptance of an Air Force One jet from Qatar, calling it “inconsistent” with the nation’s security needs.