Trump complains about interest rate hikes, says he'll 'most likely' meet North Korean leader again

U.S. President Donald Trumpon Monday ruled out agreeing to any demands from Turkey to gainthe release of a detained American pastor, and said he was notconcerned that his tough stance could end up hurting European and emerging market economies.

In a wide-ranging Oval Office interview with Reuters, Trump complained about interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve, andsuggested he was having second thoughts about Jerome Powell, hischoice for Fed chair. He also said he "most likely" will have asecond meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un,andindicated he would consider lifting U.S. sanctions on Russia ifMoscow took some actions in return.

Trump said he thought he had a deal with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan when he helped persuade Israel to free a detainedTurkish citizen. He had thought Erdogan would then releasepastor Andrew Brunson, who denies Turkey's allegations that hewas involved in a plot against Erdogan two years ago.

I think it's very sad what Turkey is doing. I think they'remaking a terrible mistake. There will be no concessions.- Donald Trump, U.S. president

"I think it's very sad what Turkey is doing. I think they'remaking a terrible mistake. There will be no concessions," he said.

U.S. balks at Turkey's demand

Turkey has demanded that the United States hand overFethullah Gulen, a Turkish cleric in the United States suspected in the coup plot against Erdogan, but the U.S.hasbalked at this.

Trump has imposed tariffs on imports of Turkish steel andaluminum in response to Erdogan's refusal to free Brunson, raising concerns of economic damage in Europe and in emergingmarket economies.

"I'm not concerned at all. I'm not concerned. This is theproper thing to do," he said, when asked about the potential damage to other economies.

Trump said Erdogan had wanted the Turkish citizen returnedfrom Israel.

Trump and Erdogan met in Brussels for a NATO summit inmid-July where they discussed Brunson's case and what could bethe way forward to release the pastor, a senior White Houseofficial said earlier.

Turkey had sought U.S. help to persuade the Israelis torelease a Turkish woman who was being held in Israel, the seniorofficial said. In exchange Turkey would release Brunson andother Americans being held in Turkey.

Trump said he kept his side of the bargain.

"I got that person out for him. I expect him to let thisvery innocent and wonderful man and great father and greatChristian out of Turkey," Trump said.

I got that person out for him. I expect him to let thisvery innocent and wonderful man and great father and greatChristian out of Turkey.- Donald Trump, U.S. president

The dispute threatens to intensify a split between theU.S.and Turkey, a key NATO ally that plans to buy Russian missiles.

Israel, which confirmed that Trump had requested EbruOzkan's release, deported her on July 15. Ankara has denied everagreeing to free Brunson in return.

Trump added: "I like Turkey. I like the people of Turkeyvery much. Until now I had a very good relationship as you know with the president. I got along with him great. I had a verygood relationship. But it can'tbe a one-way street. It's no longer a one-way street for the United States."

Putin, Trump meeting

Trump drew a barrage of criticism at home and abroad after he stood side by side with Russian President Vladimir Putin at aJuly 16 summit in Helsinki and cast doubt on his ownintelligence agencies' findings that Russia meddled in the 2016U.S. elections.

In the Reuters interview, he ticked off areas that hediscussed privately with Putin, including security for Israel,Syria and Russia's annexation of Crimea and incursion intoeastern Ukraine, and the Nord Stream 2 pipeline from Russia to Germany that will supply natural gas to Germany.

Trump said Putin did not raise with him the issue of U.S.sanctions on Russia but that he would consider lifting them ifRussia took steps on such areas as Syria or Ukraine.

"I would consider it if they do something that would be goodfor us. But I wouldn't consider it without that," he said.

On Iran, China

Turning to Iran, Trump showed little interest in meetingIranian President Hassan Rouhani to discuss the dispute overIran's nuclear program after earlier this month expressing awillingness to do so.

The Iranians, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, have dismissed the offer. Trump said it did not matter to him whetherhe met Iran's leaders and that there had been no U.S. outreachtoward Iran to discuss talks.

Trump's withdrawal of the U.S.from the nucleardeal between Iran and world powers earlier this year has raisedtensions between Washington and Tehran.

"If they want to meet that's fine, and if they don't want tomeet, I couldn't care less," he said.

Trump cast doubt on whether he will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping during an international Asia-Pacific summit in PapuaNew Guinea in November. Trump again talked up the warmth of hisrelationship with Xi, but said little progress has been made onhis drive to rebalance the U.S.-Chinese trade relationship.

"Maybe. I'm not sure that it's been set up yet. We'll see,"he said, when asked about a possible meeting with Xi.

He also said he had "no time frame" for resolving hisadministration's trade dispute with China.

"I'm like them;I have a long horizon," he said.