In a dramatic escalation of the trade dispute, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent spoke with Maria Bartiromo on FOX Business Network Wednesday morning following China’s decision to impose an 84% tariff on American goods. This move mirrors President Trump’s bold tariffs implemented earlier the same day.
The confrontation marks a significant chapter in the economic standoff, as Bessent and the Trump Administration hold their ground against China’s retaliatory measures. During the interview, Secretary Bessent emphasized that the possibility of delisting Chinese stocks from American exchanges is very much “on the table.”
Such an action could lead to a cascade of investor sell-offs, cutting Chinese companies off from U.S. capital and potentially driving them to relocate to other markets like Hong Kong. This comes as tensions rise, with China confidently stating its readiness to manage “any and all uncertainties” in this ongoing battle.
In 2024, the United States exported $143 billion worth of goods to China, while importing a staggering $439 billion from them, underlining the imbalance in trade relations.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent: Maria, I think it’s unfortunate that the Chinese actually don’t want to come and negotiate because they are the worst offenders in the international trading system. They have the most imbalanced economy in the history of the modern world.
Bessent further elaborated on the situation, suggesting that the escalation is disadvantageous for China. He notes that despite their skilled economists and bureaucrats, China does not hold the upper hand, given that their exports to the U.S. vastly exceed American exports to China. “They can raise their tariffs, but so what?” he remarked.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent isn’t backing down—he says delisting Chinese stocks from American exchanges is firmly “on the table.”
— Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra)
April 9, 2025
