Tim Seymore

NEW: Scott Bessent says Trump didn’t just raise tariffs—he set a trap, and China walked right into it. This is what 4D chess looks like. Markets are rebounding after President Trump slapped a 125% tariff on Chinese imports while giving a 90-day pause to other countries. The result? China stands alone—and completely exposed. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent put it plainly: “This was driven by the president’s strategy.” “He and I had a long talk on Sunday, and this was his strategy all along.” According to Bessent, this wasn’t just tough policy—it was calculated pressure. “You might even say that he goaded China into a bad position.” “They responded, they have shown themselves to the world to be the bad actors.” While China chose escalation, Trump opened the door to allies and trade partners who didn’t retaliate. “We are willing to cooperate with our allies and with our trading partners who did not retaliate.” “It wasn’t a hard message. Don’t retaliate, things will turn out well.” Now the markets are roaring back—and China is left holding the bag.