Scott Simon

Of course, tariffs are another big part of Trump's economic platform. What has Scott Besson said about that?

Of course, tariffs are another big part of Trump's economic platform. What has Scott Besson said about that?

Besant has defended Trump's proposal to slap taxes on all imports, even though most economists say that would likely raise prices for U.S. businesses and consumers. Unlike some of the others in Trump's orbit, though, Besant doesn't seem to be a dyed-in-the-wool protectionist.

Besant has defended Trump's proposal to slap taxes on all imports, even though most economists say that would likely raise prices for U.S. businesses and consumers. Unlike some of the others in Trump's orbit, though, Besant doesn't seem to be a dyed-in-the-wool protectionist.

Besant has defended Trump's proposal to slap taxes on all imports, even though most economists say that would likely raise prices for U.S. businesses and consumers. Unlike some of the others in Trump's orbit, though, Besant doesn't seem to be a dyed-in-the-wool protectionist.

In an interview with the Financial Times last month, he suggested that Trump views tariffs as a bargaining chip and said, quote, my general view is that at the end of the day, he's a free trader. So we'll see about that.

In an interview with the Financial Times last month, he suggested that Trump views tariffs as a bargaining chip and said, quote, my general view is that at the end of the day, he's a free trader. So we'll see about that.

In an interview with the Financial Times last month, he suggested that Trump views tariffs as a bargaining chip and said, quote, my general view is that at the end of the day, he's a free trader. So we'll see about that.

Of course, the Treasury Secretary typically works closely with the Federal Reserve. What do you foresee there?

Of course, the Treasury Secretary typically works closely with the Federal Reserve. What do you foresee there?

Of course, the Treasury Secretary typically works closely with the Federal Reserve. What do you foresee there?

Yeah, that could be a source of some friction. You know, Trump has frequently criticized the Fed chairman, Jerome Powell, even though he appointed him to the chairman's post. Trump thinks Powell and his colleagues were too quick to raise interest rates the last time Trump was in the White House and too quick to lower interest rates in the run-up to this fall's election.

Yeah, that could be a source of some friction. You know, Trump has frequently criticized the Fed chairman, Jerome Powell, even though he appointed him to the chairman's post. Trump thinks Powell and his colleagues were too quick to raise interest rates the last time Trump was in the White House and too quick to lower interest rates in the run-up to this fall's election.

Yeah, that could be a source of some friction. You know, Trump has frequently criticized the Fed chairman, Jerome Powell, even though he appointed him to the chairman's post. Trump thinks Powell and his colleagues were too quick to raise interest rates the last time Trump was in the White House and too quick to lower interest rates in the run-up to this fall's election.

The Fed is supposed to be insulated from political pressure from the White House, but Trump has repeatedly flouted that norm and And Besson went so far as to suggest that Trump name a shadow Fed chairman to sort of undermine Powell, although he later walked that back. Now, Powell is set to remain as Fed chairman into 2026 and says he's not going anywhere.

The Fed is supposed to be insulated from political pressure from the White House, but Trump has repeatedly flouted that norm and And Besson went so far as to suggest that Trump name a shadow Fed chairman to sort of undermine Powell, although he later walked that back. Now, Powell is set to remain as Fed chairman into 2026 and says he's not going anywhere.

The Fed is supposed to be insulated from political pressure from the White House, but Trump has repeatedly flouted that norm and And Besson went so far as to suggest that Trump name a shadow Fed chairman to sort of undermine Powell, although he later walked that back. Now, Powell is set to remain as Fed chairman into 2026 and says he's not going anywhere.

Powell is a staunch defender of the Fed's independence. He's also a savvy politician, though, and he's trying very hard not to antagonize the incoming administration.

Powell is a staunch defender of the Fed's independence. He's also a savvy politician, though, and he's trying very hard not to antagonize the incoming administration.

Powell is a staunch defender of the Fed's independence. He's also a savvy politician, though, and he's trying very hard not to antagonize the incoming administration.