Bessent Sees US Trade Talks Largely Done by October, Nikkei Says

The US expects to largely complete negotiations with countries that have yet to secure a trade deal by the end of October, Nikkei Asia reported, citing an interview with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

The comments, made to Nikkei on Thursday, come after President Donald Trump’s sweeping new tariffs took effect. Some key trading partners, including Canada, Mexico and Switzerland, are still seeking to secure more favorable terms with the US.

Bessent also reaffirmed the importance of the Federal Reserve’s independence but said the next central bank head should be someone “very attuned to forward thinking, as opposed ...