Bessent: 'More than 50 countries' approached administration to lower tariffs, trade barriers and halt 'currency manipulation'
Share and Follow


Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claimed Sunday that “more than 50 countries” have approached the Trump administration to bring down “non-tariff trade barriers,” reduce tariffs, and halt “currency manipulation” on their side.

“More than 50 countries have approached … the administration about lowering their non-tariff trade barriers, lowering their tariffs, stopping currency manipulation,” Bessent said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” to moderator Kristen Welker.

“And … they’ve been bad actors for a long time. And it’s not the kind of thing you can negotiate away, be it in days or weeks,” he added.

On Thursday, markets dropped dramatically after President Trump announced a 10 percent tariff on goods imported into the United States, alongside other tariffs aimed at multiple U.S. trading partners. The economy did not fare better the following day, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average losing 2,200 points and the S&P 500 dropping by 10 percent over the course of Thursday and Friday.

In his “Meet the Press” appearance Sunday, Bessent referred to Trump’s tariffs a “one-time price adjustment,” stressing a distinction from continuous price increases due to inflation.

“Have you expressed any concerns to President Trump directly that his tariff policy could be inflationary?” Welker asked Bessent on Sunday.

“No, what I have said are tariffs are a one-time price adjustment,” Bessent responded.

“So, there’s a big difference between insipid, endemic inflation within the system and consistent price level increases and a one-time adjustment,” he added.

Trump also said Saturday that the tariffs will result in an “economic revolution.”

“We have been the dumb and helpless ‘whipping post,’ but not any longer,” the president said on Truth Social. “We are bringing back jobs and businesses like never before. Already, more than FIVE TRILLION DOLLARS OF INVESTMENT, and rising fast!”

National Economic Council Director Kevin Hasset defended the president’s tariffs on Sunday, saying he didn’t think there will be a “big effect on the consumer in the U.S.”

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Angela Rayner Introduces ‘Banter Police’ in the Workplace: Be Mindful of Your Conversations! Proposed Workers’ Rights Bill Encourages Companies to Monitor ‘Inappropriate’ Chats

Angela Rayner has been accused of plotting to censor workplace banter by…

Trump criticizes ‘fake’ Democrat for shockingly likening him to Obama regarding Iran agreement

President Donald Trump is once again fending off attacks from Democrats who…

Plan to scrap two-child benefit cap ‘dead in the water’ after Labour’s £5billion welfare U-turn

LABOUR will not scrap the two-child benefit cap despite pressure from left…

Two killed and several injured in Indianapolis mass shooting as violence broke out where ‘hundreds’ of teens gathered

TWO people have died and several are injured after a mass shooting…

Bobby Jenks Death Cause: Who Was Bobby Jenks

Bobby Jenks’ Death Cause: Who Was Bobby Jenks. Bobby Jenks’ death cause…

Florida Democrats denied entry to 'Alligator Alcatraz' after Trump visit

A group of five Democratic state lawmakers in Florida said they were…

Musk announces formation of 'America Party'

Tech billionaire Elon Musk said Saturday he has officially formed the “America…

Terrifying moment boy, 4, was taken from his bed by stranger as he slept beside his twin – and was never seen again

THIS is the harrowing moment a four-year-old boy is kidnapped from his…