The president, in a Rose Garden appearance, said the economic recovery is facing "tough headwinds," noting the uptick in unemployment to 9.2 percent "confirms what most Americans already know: We still have a long way to go and more work to do."

Only 18,000 private sector jobs were added in June, which was below expectations. Obama acknowledged that  "our economy as a whole just isn't producing enough jobs for everyone who's looking."

He then returned to the calls he issued in last week's press conference, asking Congress to act on trade agreements, patent reform and infrastructure spending.

"There are bills and trade agreements before Congress that could get all these ideas moving," Obama said.

The president also said that he will continue to work with members on cutting the deficit and raising the debt ceiling in an effort to give the markets more certainty and grow the economy.