Scott Bessent, U.S. Treasury Secretary, argues that tariffs can serve multiple strategic

Scott Bessent, U.S. Treasury Secretary, argues that tariffs can serve multiple strategic purposes for a nation

Bessent also claims that tariffs can be used to push back against foreign economic systems that he views as unfair, such as China’s, which he says relies on low labor costs, subsidies, and non-tariff barriers.
He suggests that tariffs can help correct global trade imbalances and improve national security by reshoring critical industries like semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, making supply chains more resilient.
Furthermore, he argues that tariffs place the U.S. in a stronger negotiating position, especially since, as a debtor nation with trade deficits, it holds leverage over surplus nations like China.