Scott Bessent on Tariffs, AI Policy, and Trump's Economic Strategy

0:00My name is Mortimer, and this is the Secretary of the Treasury podcast. Today, we are talking about the current U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bassand, and why he is at the center of some of the biggest economic headlines and social media debates right now. First, tariffs. According to Med Tech Dive, Bassand said in a CNBC interview that the United States will likely raise its temporary global tariff to 15 percent some time this week. He explained that this higher tariff is being used to quickly rebuild Donald Trump's tariff regime after the Supreme Court struck down earlier levies. The tariff, imposed under the Trade Act of 1974, automatically expires after 150 days, unless Congress extends it, so Bassand has been emphasizing that this is a time-limited but aggressive move on trade. Max's news desk and other financial blogs are amplifying the same message.

1:07Noting that Trump wants tariffs back up after the court decision, and that Bassand is the point person explaining how this new 15 percent rate will work as a temporary replacement. That has sparked heated online debate. Supporters on X and business forms praise Bassand for defending U.S. industries, while critics warn that higher tariffs could raise prices and strain alliances. Second, artificial intelligence and national security. Axios reports that Bassand announced Treasury is terminating its use of Anthropics AI tools after an order from President Trump. On Monday, he said Treasury is officially discontinuing anthropic products,

2:10following Trump's directive to block the company from federal projects over disputes about Pentagon use of its technology. This move has triggered a wave of discussion among tech and policy commentators. With some arguing, Bassand is helping draw a hard line on AI risk, and others accusing the administration of undermining U.S. innovation. Across social media, Scott Bassand is being cast as both chief enforcer of Trump's trade agenda, and a key player in the administration's tougher stance on AI and big tech. Whether people see him as protector of U.S. interests or as escalating economic tensions, one thing is clear. The Treasury Secretary's office is driving major headlines this week. Thanks for listening to the 10th Secretary of the Treasury podcast, and please subscribe. This has been a Quiet Please production, and for more info, check out quietplease.ai.