2 months ago
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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday urged countries that have been targeted by Donald Trump’s sweeping new tariffs not to retaliate.
Otherwise, it could escalate tensions further, he warned.
“My advice to every country right now is, do not retaliate,” Bessent told Fox News anchor Bret Baier. “Sit back, take it in. Let’s see how it goes, because if you retaliate, there will be escalation. If you don’t retaliate, this is the high-water mark.”
Baier had earlier noted: “People are looking at their 401(k)s and they worry about it. What do you say to them tonight?”
In response, Bessent argued the tariff policy was part of the Trump administration setting the stage for “long-term economic growth.”
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Bessent last month admitted “there are no guarantees” the U.S. will not be plunged into recession during Trump’s second term.
This administration has taken the United States off the trajectory of past recessionary trends and put us back on a sound trajectory for growth. pic.twitter.com/PVocSgZRbz
— Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) April 3, 2025
English (US) ·