WASHINGTON, Feb 10 (Reuters) - U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on Tuesday that he views the weaker dollar to be at a "more natural" level to promote U.S. exports and expand economic growth.

Lutnick, asked about recent dollar weakness at a U.S. Senate Appropriations subcommittee, said that for many years, the dollar was manipulated higher by other countries to export more to the U.S., but Trump was changing trade dynamics.

"So the idea is, the dollar, where it is now, is just more natural. We are exporting more, and that's why our GDP has grown so much, right?" Lutnick said, adding that he thinks fourth quarter 2025 GDP will exceed 5% and could top 6% in the first quarter of 2026.

(Reporting by David Lawder)

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