Immigration reform could "absolutely" improve the economy, should the United States move to a points-based system that would bring in workers American firms need, outgoing White House Economic Adviser Kevin Hassett said Wednesday.

"We could absolutely improve the economy with immigration reform, and that's why we rolled out a plan to do that," Hassett told CNN Business' Poppy Harlow. "Then I think everybody would support expanded immigration in that circumstance."

However, CNN noted, immigration rights advocates object to President Donald Trump's merit-based plan, saying it favors wealthier immigrants over people without means. 

Meanwhile, Hassett, speaking before Trump was to leave for Japan and the G20 summit, said all want a deal to be reached with China. Trump said in an interview on Fox Business earlier that "billions and billions" of dollars in tariffs could be ordered against Chinese goods if a deal isn't reached, and Hassett said the president's "Plan B" is appropriate.

"If China continues to engage in some of the practices we want to convince them to change, I think the president is right," Hassett said. "If it doesn't get fixed, he's right about what he's going to do."

Hassett also responded to Trump's attacks on Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, saying that he respects Powell's independence from politics.
"The president appointed a very strong, independent Fed, and he also expresses his opinions," Hassett said, adding to Harlow that he'll "speak more frankly" if he's invited back after he ends his White House role at the end of June. 

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