The National Economic Council (NEC) is the principal forum used by the president of the United States for the consideration of domestic and international economic policy matters with senior policymaking and Cabinet officials, and forms part of the Office of Policy Development[1] which is within the Executive Office of the President of the United States.

The creation of the council also fulfilled a major promise by President Bill Clinton, to make the economy of the United States a priority.

[6] The Council is considered an important tool for presidential administrations to use to achieve their domestic, and international economic goals.

Robert Rubin said that the purpose for the creation of the Council was to "fix a process problem" and according to Rubin, Clinton said that he believed that he needed to find "some process instrument" which would be able to perform the role and function necessary to advance the president's agenda, and allow agencies to deliberate, coordinate, and solve matters of economic importance.

Rubin states another reason Clinton established the Council was "“integrate domestic and international economic policy and.