Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) grilled Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday as he testified before the House Financial Services Committee.
Velazquez began her questioning by asking that Bessent be sworn in, “I would like for the witness to be sworn in before I ask my questions.”
The committee chair shot down the request, saying, “Chair doesn’t see a need for that. You may ask a question. Your time can start. Start the gentlewoman’s time over five minutes.”
“Secretary Bessent. You were on CNBC earlier this week making claims saying we are very close and maybe we will see some deals this week on tariffs. So tell us, tell the American people, tell small businesses and consumers, tell retirees, specifically which countries are you close to striking deal with,” Velazquez asked.
“I’m sorry, Congresswoman, but that would not benefit the United States–” Bessent replied as Velazquez cut in:
No, no, no I’m asking you a question based on the statement that you made on CNBC.
“And I am telling you that it would be detrimental to the interest of the United States for me to answer that,” Bessent replied.
“Why would that be detrimental?” Velazquez demanded.
“Because as the negotiations may still be in process as we speak, as we are not at the end of the week yet, I am sure that you, through your question, would not want to compromise U.S. negotiations,” Bessent answered.
“Reclaiming my time. Secretary Bessent, the president goes into a press conference and claims that there are negotiations going on and then the next day there’s no negotiations going on. So why would you not answer my question and that would be considered detrimental to the people to the American economy. I do not understand,” Velazquez added.
“I’m happy to say there are negotiations going on. I’m not going to reveal the details,” Bessent replied.
“So, how long do you think those negotiations will take before they are concluded?” Velazquez pressed.
“There are numerous countries, as I have said, if you saw my CNBC interview which you referenced, that there are 18 important trading partners and we are moving forward at all deliberate speed with those,” Bessent responded.
Velazquez then asked Bessent how far along those negotiations are and eventually moved on to China, “In congressional testimony yesterday, you said the U.S. Has not started negotiating with China on tariff reductions. Does that continue to be your position, yes or no?”
“As you may have read–” Bessent replied as Velazquez cut in, “Yes or no, sir!”
“As you may have read in the press I will be going to Switzerland and the negotiations will begin on Saturday,” Bessent added.
Velazquez then asked who would be joining Bessent in Switzerland. “What about Pete Navarro?” Velazquez pressed.
“He will not be joining us in Geneva,” Bessent replied.
“Thank God for that! Are those negotiations considered advanced? Are those negotiations considered advanced?” Velazquez said. Bessent and Navarro have widely been seen as on opposing sides of Trump’s tariff policy, with Navarro pushing for increased tariffs while Bessent has promoted a more moderate approach to reassure the markets.
“As I said, on Saturday we will begin, which I believe is the opposite of advance,” Bessent replied, clearly losing patience.
Watch the clip above via C-SPAN.
The post Scott Bessent Dodges Questions On Trade Negotiations In Tense Hearing Exchange: ‘Detrimental… For Me To Answer That’ first appeared on Mediaite.
