Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent used economic game theory to defend President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff plan, while admitting it could be months before the U.S. reaches trade deals with some of its major partners.
“Strategic uncertainty is part of negotiation. Should we say, ‘Oh, here’s what we’ll accept, please take this’?” Bessent said in response to questions from progressive Rep. Mark Pocan on small businesses hit by tariffs.
Bessent called on members to trust Trump’s mysterious dealmaking prowess.