Treasury Eyes Currency Manipulation in Trade Showdown

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has announced that the US is expanding its trade policy focus to include currency manipulation alongside tariffs.

The announcement comes as the administration develops plans for reciprocal tariffs by April 1st, with Bessent emphasizing that while the US maintains a strong dollar policy, it won’t accept other nations deliberately weakening their currencies for trade advantage.

The Treasury’s review will create what Bessent calls a “reciprocal index” that examines three key factors for each trading partner: existing tariffs, non-tariff barriers, and currency manipulation practices. This comprehensive approach represents a significant shift in US trade strategy, with Bessent specifically highlighting the contradiction between America’s strong dollar policy and other nations’ currency weakening practices.