Meanwhile, tariffs on imported autos are to go into effect on Wednesday. While economists predict Trump's tariffs will raise prices in the U.S., Trump told reporters Sunday that automakers "are going to make a lot of money," suggesting the measures would encourage companies "to build in the United States."

Trump interview: In a wide-ranging interview with NBC News, President Trump told Kristen Welker that he “couldn’t care less” if automakers raised prices as a result of auto tariffs that are set to go into effect next week because it could result in people buying American-made cars, according to a transcript released by the network. Read more ›

"A lot of people want me to do it," Trump said in an interview with NBC News. "But, I mean, I basically tell them we have a long way to go, you know, it’s very early in the administration." Trump said he's "focused on the current" term.