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BumRushDaShow

(165,178 posts)
Tue Apr 8, 2025, 01:01 PM Apr 2025

Treasury Secretary Bessent says China's escalation was 'big mistake,' country playing with 'losing hand'

Source: CNBC

Published Tue, Apr 8 2025 7:22 AM EDT Updated 5 Hours Ago


Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday the U.S. holds a substantial advantage over China as the two nations exchange threats in a burgeoning trade war.

“I think it was a big mistake, this Chinese escalation, because they’re playing with a pair of twos,” Bessent said during an interview on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” “What do we lose by the Chinese raising tariffs on us? We export one-fifth to them of what they export to us, so that is a losing hand for them.”

The comments come a day ahead of the U.S. raising its duties on China and dozens of other nations as part of so-called reciprocal tariffs whose purpose, Bessent said, is to bring trading partners to the negotiating table and jobs back to the U.S.

So far, he said Japan has been at the forefront of countries eager to negotiate, and the White House expects a multitude of others.

Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/08/treasury-secretary-bessent-says-chinas-escalation-was-big-mistake-country-playing-with-losing-hand.html



"...We export one-fifth to them of what they export to us, so that is a losing hand for them.”


When they sell most of the manufactured goods that we buy, we have no "advantage". Someone needs to pull out the hook and get him off the stage.

18 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Treasury Secretary Bessent says China's escalation was 'big mistake,' country playing with 'losing hand' (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Apr 2025 OP
bASSent was supposed to be the smart guy in the room. He does not understand the resolve of the Chinese. NoMoreRepugs Apr 2025 #1
I don't think Bessent understands the concept of saving face. patphil Apr 2025 #2
Clearly, it's all a game to the republicans truthisfreedom Apr 2025 #3
THEY are playing with a "losing hand". mwb970 Apr 2025 #4
Yeah, but at least these guys got cards. 3Hotdogs Apr 2025 #9
China is going to spank the US hard and send US to bed without any supper. nt ImNotGod Apr 2025 #5
The ignorance and arrogance is going to hurt us big time. The world economy was fine. FAFO?? Amateur billionaires Evolve Dammit Apr 2025 #6
China holds $800 Billion is US debt in the form of Treasury notes. Irish_Dem Apr 2025 #7
April 2024, foreign countries own approximately $7.9 trillion in Treasurys -- or 22.9% of total US debt BadgerKid Apr 2025 #8
Yes but when the shit hits the fan economy wise, even the smaller pieces begin to matter. Irish_Dem Apr 2025 #11
What matters is the amount traded each week IbogaProject Apr 2025 #15
They are on the "lower" end of the foreign holdings BumRushDaShow Apr 2025 #13
Xi may just up and decide, "You know what? Fuck it." and use this opportunity to invade Taiwan. LudwigPastorius Apr 2025 #10
What do you think Trump would do in this scenario? Irish_Dem Apr 2025 #12
I honestly don't know. LudwigPastorius Apr 2025 #14
Trump could order troops to Taiwan, then if China gives him something, he will turn Taiwan over to China. Irish_Dem Apr 2025 #16
Absolutely possible. LudwigPastorius Apr 2025 #17
The Secretary of the Treasury was impressed by the number of trades (sell offs) that took place last week. sinkingfeeling Apr 2025 #18

NoMoreRepugs

(11,779 posts)
1. bASSent was supposed to be the smart guy in the room. He does not understand the resolve of the Chinese.
Tue Apr 8, 2025, 01:05 PM
Apr 2025

patphil

(8,670 posts)
2. I don't think Bessent understands the concept of saving face.
Tue Apr 8, 2025, 01:10 PM
Apr 2025

China is already a dictatorship, and can weather an economic storm easier than the US can.
They're not ever going to get voted out of office.

3Hotdogs

(14,983 posts)
9. Yeah, but at least these guys got cards.
Tue Apr 8, 2025, 02:02 PM
Apr 2025

Z. didn't even have no cards so he shouldn't'a tried to get into the game.

Evolve Dammit

(21,420 posts)
6. The ignorance and arrogance is going to hurt us big time. The world economy was fine. FAFO?? Amateur billionaires
Tue Apr 8, 2025, 01:27 PM
Apr 2025

Irish_Dem

(79,406 posts)
7. China holds $800 Billion is US debt in the form of Treasury notes.
Tue Apr 8, 2025, 01:47 PM
Apr 2025

If they sell this debt, there could be some disruption in the US economy?
This is a card China holds?

BadgerKid

(4,946 posts)
8. April 2024, foreign countries own approximately $7.9 trillion in Treasurys -- or 22.9% of total US debt
Tue Apr 8, 2025, 02:01 PM
Apr 2025
https://usafacts.org/articles/which-countries-own-the-most-us-debt/

So around 1/5th of debt. it seems like a small chunk.

Irish_Dem

(79,406 posts)
11. Yes but when the shit hits the fan economy wise, even the smaller pieces begin to matter.
Tue Apr 8, 2025, 02:12 PM
Apr 2025

IbogaProject

(5,565 posts)
15. What matters is the amount traded each week
Tue Apr 8, 2025, 02:17 PM
Apr 2025

These are held and the active market is much smaller compared to the total face value. This will start to have problems, but that would be the endgame as they want to get their money back from them.

LudwigPastorius

(14,049 posts)
10. Xi may just up and decide, "You know what? Fuck it." and use this opportunity to invade Taiwan.
Tue Apr 8, 2025, 02:02 PM
Apr 2025

Now that Trump has put the U.S. economy on its heels, Xi may want to see how long he lasts by going all in.

LudwigPastorius

(14,049 posts)
14. I honestly don't know.
Tue Apr 8, 2025, 02:16 PM
Apr 2025

It's not the war he wants. He wants an "easy" war (Panama).

If I had to bet, I'd say he orders troops to defend Taiwan because he'll view an invasion by China as a challenge to his ego.

Irish_Dem

(79,406 posts)
16. Trump could order troops to Taiwan, then if China gives him something, he will turn Taiwan over to China.
Tue Apr 8, 2025, 02:25 PM
Apr 2025

sinkingfeeling

(57,067 posts)
18. The Secretary of the Treasury was impressed by the number of trades (sell offs) that took place last week.
Tue Apr 8, 2025, 04:14 PM
Apr 2025

Somehow, I think China holding our debt (Treasury Securities to the tune of around $770 Billion) gives them a pretty good hand.

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