Squawk Pod

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, a key player in U.S. economic policy, dives into urgent trade agreements with the EU, Japan, and Indonesia, just days before a critical tariff deadline. He candidly shares his attempt to persuade President Trump against dismissing Fed Chair Jerome Powell, calling for a thorough evaluation of the Federal Reserve. The conversation seamlessly blends serious economic insights with lighter topics, including luxury investments in private aviation and the dynamics of golf and lifestyle, making for a captivating listen.

The 5 things you need to know before the stock market opens today: Block is heading into the S&P 500, Alaska Airlines is back in the air after an IT outage, China’s exports of rare earth magnets to the U.S. jumped in June, Trump administration officials are planning to tour renovations at the headquarters of the Federal Reserve, and the viral “Coldplay kiss-cam” moment that broke the internet.  Squawk Box is hosted by Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin.  Follow Squawk Pod for the best moments, interviews and analysis from our TV show in an audio-first format.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Once the Housing and Urban Development Secretary under President Obama, Shaun Donovan now runs a nonprofit devoted to increasing housing supply and advancing equity. In a conversation about America’s housing affordability crisis, Sec. Donovan explains how the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit in President Trump’s spending bill incentivizes private investment. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) touts his wins in the spending bill and shares his perspective on monetary policy. Speaker Johnson also weighs in on the Epstein files, saying he and the President believe in transparency. Plus, Netflix reported a strong second quarter, top Federal Reserve official Christopher Waller is calling for a rate cut this month, and The Late Show will end, come next May.  Shaun Donovan - 13:46Speaker Mike Johnson - 20:27 In this episode: Mike Johnson, @SpeakerJohnsonMelissa Lee, @MelissaLeeCNBCJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkZach Vallese, @zachvallese Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The 5 things you need to know before the stock market opens today: Chevron has prevailed in its mediation with Exxon over oil assets in Guyana, Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell has officially responded to White House concerns about Fed building renovations, Amazon is laying off some cloud computing staffers, and the Commerce Department will impose anti-dumping duties on graphite imported from China and used in EVs.  Squawk Box is hosted by Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin.  Follow Squawk Pod for the best moments, interviews and analysis from our TV show in an audio-first format.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

President Trump has said he won’t attempt to fire sitting Fed Chair Jerome Powell, but change is coming to the central bank regardless. On Wall Street and in Washington, names floated for the next Federal Reserve chair have included current NEC director Kevin Hassett and former Fed governor Kevin Warsh. In an extended interview, Kevin Warsh calls for a regime change at the bank, positing a revised theory of inflation and sharing lessons from his own history in finance. Plus, President Trump announced that Coca-Cola agreed to use cane sugar in its U.S. drinks, and the House of Representatives has voted to bring forward crypto legislation. Kevin Warsh - 18:39 In this episode: Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Gary Cohn, Vice Chairman at IBM and former Director of the National Economic Council, shares his insights on U.S. inflation and monetary policy. He advocates for a slight interest rate cut, discussing its potential impacts. The conversation also covers the evolving media landscape and the success of Acquired, which offers deep dives into major companies. Cohn emphasizes the importance of reshoring supply chains and highlights challenges posed by inflation and tariffs. His expertise bridges economic policy with future growth strategies.

Discover intriguing updates like the closure of federal investigations into Polymarket and the recent Senate vote on a $9 rescissions package. SpaceX's insider share sale and Tesla’s top North American sales executive leaving stir the pot in tech news. Meanwhile, baseball introduces an automated system for calling balls and strikes, raising questions about technology's role in sports officiating. The episode dives into the balance between AI and human judgment, especially after a notable error at Wimbledon.

Ken Langone, co-founder of Home Depot and a prominent philanthropist, shares his thoughts on local politics and the national economy, expressing faith in Andrew Cuomo. Ryan Cohen, CEO of GameStop and meme-stock mogul, discusses his unique auction featuring a stapler, reflecting on the absurdity of current market behaviors. The conversation also touches on the resurgence of AI chip sales and Starbucks' call for remote workers to return to the office. Both guests provide insights on the evolving business landscape and political dynamics in New York.

Kevin Hassett, former National Economic Council Director, dives into the impact of President Trump's proposed tariffs on Mexico and the EU, stirring up discussions on trade tensions and their economic repercussions. He also critiques the Federal Reserve’s independence amid growing frustrations from the White House. The conversation touches on the playfulness of corporate earnings, particularly Kraft Heinz, alongside a humorous exploration of quirky national days that lighten the serious topics of tariffs and inflation.

Discover key market insights just before the opening bell! Superman is dominating the box office, while online spending sees a massive boost from Amazon Prime Days. Nvidia's CEO is making waves in China, and exports from there are on the rise. Plus, JPMorgan's Jamie Dimon raises alarms about private credit dangers, even as he pushes for more investment in that sector. It's a blend of finance and pop culture that's both informative and entertaining!