Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent would not acknowledge that the administration’s tariffs are “a tax” on Americans.
During an interview, NBC News’ Kristen Welker asked Bessent about recent estimates of how much the tariffs are costing U.S. companies such as Deere, Nike, Black & Decker, Hasbro, and the three auto makers. “They have to give the draconian scenario,” Bessent said, pushing back.
Welker, the host of Meet the Press, cited Goldman Sachs research that says 86% of the tariff revenue collected so far has been paid by American businesses and consumers. “So just bottom line, Mr. Secretary, do you acknowledge that these tariffs are a tax on American consumers?” Welker asked.