US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says ‘America First’ does not mean ‘America alone’

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/scott-bessent-offers-a-gentler-message-again-saying-america-first-does-not-mean-america-alone-a0acf376

>On Wednesday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent continued the Trump administration’s efforts to send a more conciliatory message toward trade partners.
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>“‘America First’ does not mean America alone. To the contrary, it is a call for deeper collaboration and mutual respect among trade partners,” Bessent said at an Institute of International Finance event in Washington, D.C.
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>“Far from stepping back, ‘America First’ seeks to expand U.S. leadership in international institutions like the IMF and World Bank,” the Treasury secretary added, referring to the International Monetary Fund. “By embracing a stronger leadership role, ‘America First’ seeks to restore fairness to the international economic system.”
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>Bessent’s remarks have come after multiple published reports on Tuesday said he told a private investor summit that there would be “de-escalation” in the Trump administration’s trade fight with China.