Dow CEO: Trump Administration The Most ‘Pro-Business’ Since ‘Founding Fathers’

The chief executive of Dow Chemical — and the leader of a Trump administration manufacturing panel — said that prominent executives are encouraged by the "pro-business policies" of the White House.

"Some of us have said this is the most pro-business administration since the Founding Fathers," Andrew Liveris, the Australian head of the Michigan chemical giant, said as part of a discussion between the president and executives from two dozen companies.

"There is no question that the language of business is occurring here at the White House," Liveris added, according to CNBC.

Liveris organized the meeting, which he characterized as a "working session" in contrast to an earlier discussion in the first days of the new administration.

Trump announced in December that Liveris would lead the American Manufacturing Council, an advisory panel to the Commerce Department, under his administration — despite strong criticism that he leveled at Trump earlier in the 2016 campaign.

Liveris told CNBC that the White House feels particular urgency to remove "barriers" to business and said that tax reform is a high priority and could be addressed as soon as late this year.

He said that manufacturing executives were generally supportive of a "border adjustment" plan backed by House Republicans but did not indicate whether Trump shared their enthusiasm.

Border adjustment would prevent companies from deducting imports as a cost of business. Supporters hope the increased revenue would fund corporate and individual tax cuts, but critics from across the political spectrum warned of increased costs for businesses and consumers alike.