Scott Bessent says tariff uncertainty is a tactic — otherwise countries ‘would play us in the negotiations’

• The Treasury secretary said "strategic uncertainty" is a tactic as the U.S. engages in talks over the Trump administration's tariffs, arguing that too much certainty would allow other countries to "play us in the negotiations." That comes as companies, trading partners, and financial markets have endured whiplash from on-again, off-again tariffs.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested that the Trump administration's tariff zig-zags are a feature, not a bug.

During...