Bessent, stepping down as Treasury Secretary to become Fed Chair?… Bloomberg: "Included among the candidates"

Bloomberg: "Support for Bessent grows within the administration"

White House: "Reports of Bessent's nomination are not true"

Bloomberg reported on the 10th (local time) that within the Donald Trump administration, there are increasing calls to support Scott Bessent, the Treasury Secretary, as the next Chair of the U.S. central bank (Fed).

Citing multiple sources, Bloomberg stated that Secretary Bessent, who has led the Trump administration's trade negotiations, tax cuts, and deregulation policies, is among the candidates for the next Fed Chair. However, it is known that no formal interview process has yet begun. Responding to Bloomberg's inquiry, Secretary Bessent said, "I have the best job in Washington," and "The President will decide on the most suitable person for the American economy and people."

Previously, President Trump said on the 6th that he would nominate a successor to Jerome Powell, the current Fed Chair, "very soon." Powell's term expires in May of next year. The White House immediately denied the related reports. According to Reuters, a White House official dismissed Bloomberg's report as "not true."

Meanwhile, in addition to Secretary Bessent, Kevin Warsh, a former Fed governor who interviewed for Treasury Secretary last November, is also being mentioned as a candidate for the next Fed Chair. Arthur Laffer, a former University of Chicago professor close to President Trump, told Bloomberg, "Bessent's specialty is not monetary policy. As I told the President, Kevin Warsh is the perfect person for this role."

President Trump also mentioned on the 6th that Warsh, the former governor, is "very highly regarded." Other names being mentioned as candidates include former White House National Economic Council Chairman Kevin Hassett, Fed Governor Christopher Waller, and former World Bank President David Malpass.

Reporter Da-yeon Im allopen@hankyung.com