Scott Bessent has been confirmed as US Treasury Secretary, advocating for universal tariffs starting at 2.5%. He aims to eliminate taxes, implement a consumption tax, and adopt a gold-backed currency,

Newly confirmed U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is advocating a plan to impose universal tariffs on imports, according to the Financial Times. The proposal suggests starting tariffs at 2.5%, increasing by 2.

The U.S. Senate confirmed billionaire investor Scott Bessent on Monday to serve as President Donald Trump's treasury secretary, giving him the delicate balancing act of cutting taxes and curbing deficits while putting forward a plan on tariffs that doesn't jeopardize growth.