Bloomberg Talks cover image

Bloomberg Talks

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Talks Ukraine, Tariffs

Feb 28, 2025
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent discusses his insights on Donald Trump's meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, highlighting the intricate diplomatic dynamics at play. He shares his thoughts on tariffs and their impact on economic negotiations, emphasizing the importance of aligning military and economic interests for Ukraine's growth. Bessent also critiques current U.S. assistance models and outlines strategies for managing the budget deficit, advocating for government efficiency and economic growth.
18:23

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The U.S. Treasury Secretary emphasized that any economic agreements with Ukraine hinge on achieving a foundational peace deal due to intertwined interests.
  • Concerns were raised about the implications of tariff management and rising inflation on the U.S. economic growth objectives amidst external pressures.

Deep dives

Impact of Diplomatic Relations on Economic Deals

The recent diplomatic interactions between the U.S. and Ukraine highlight the complexities of negotiating economic deals amid political tensions. The U.S. Treasury Secretary underscored that any economic agreements are contingent on a foundational peace deal, as both aspects are interconnected. President Zelensky's unexpected behavior during a critical Oval Office meeting demonstrated a severe disconnect that could jeopardize future negotiations. The Secretary expressed disbelief at Zelensky’s public conduct, arguing it undermined both American respect and the strategic message intended for Ukrainian and Russian audiences.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode