Politics

Bessent: China not weaponising Treasury amid volatility

US Treasury Secretary Bessent asserts China isn’t weaponising Treasurys amid bond market volatility from tariff policies.

Published

11 months ago

April 16, 2025

Ahron Young

US Treasury Secretary Bessent asserts China isn’t weaponising Treasury amid bond market volatility from tariff policies.

In Short

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent addressed bond market volatility attributed to the Trump administration’s tariffs, assuring that China has not used its Treasury holdings as leverage.

He explained that rising yields indicate a lack of confidence in resolving trade conflicts, but selling Treasurys would harm China’s economy.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent spoke to Yahoo Finance regarding recent bond market volatility linked to the Trump administration’s tariff policies.

While concerns grow about China potentially utilising its substantial Treasury holdings as leverage, Bessent stressed that such action has not occurred. He indicated that the US Treasury has measures in place to address any potential threats to the bond market.

Investors are noticing unusual activities in the bond market as stock sell-offs occur. Typically considered a safe haven, Treasurys are experiencing pressure, with the 10-year Treasury yield rising to 4.38% and mortgage rates surpassing 7%. Recent movements in the bond market are raising alarms about the US’s future debt repayment capabilities and a looming recession.

Diminishing confidence

Experts point out that rising yields reflect diminishing confidence in resolving ongoing trade conflicts and potential Treasury sales by China, the second-largest holder of US bonds. Bessent argued that it would not be economically beneficial for China to sell Treasurys, as doing so could impact their currency negatively.

Bessent illustrated this by comparing it to damaging personal assets during disputes. He noted that, despite tensions, China’s economic strategies and currency policies do not support the idea of them weaponising Treasurys.

The volatility stems from daily changes in tariff discussions, including a recent 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs, with China remaining heavily affected by elevated tariff rates.

Politics

Pentagon clashes with Anthropic over AI safeguards amid Iran conflict

Pentagon vs. Anthropic: clash over AI’s role in military sparks ethical debate on autonomous weapons and privacy.

Published

24 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Pentagon vs. Anthropic: clash over AI’s role in military sparks ethical debate on autonomous weapons and privacy.

The Pentagon and AI company Anthropic are clashing over the role of artificial intelligence in military operations. As bombs struck Iran, the Pentagon demanded Anthropic remove safeguards from its AI models, claiming the technology was involved in the campaign.

Anthropic refused, sparking a debate over ethics, accountability, and the limits of AI in defence.

Professor Chris Berg from RMIT University breaks down the Pentagon’s demands, the risk of contract termination, and what this conflict could mean for the future of autonomous weapons. The standoff underscores the tension between national security imperatives and public concerns about privacy and safety.

From AI safeguards to surveillance, this story examines the high-stakes battle between government authority and ethical tech.

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#AIethics #NationalSecurity #Pentagon #Anthropic #AIinDefense #TechNews #PrivacyMatters #AutonomousWeapons

Politics

Angus Taylor pushes bipartisan taskforce on carbon tariffs and spending cuts

Angus Taylor urges bipartisan collaboration on carbon tariffs, advocating for spending cuts to protect Australia’s economy and industries.

Published

2 weeks ago

February 16, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Angus Taylor urges bipartisan collaboration on carbon tariffs, advocating for spending cuts to protect Australia’s economy and industries.

Opposition leader Angus Taylor is urging Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to form a bipartisan task force to tackle carbon tariffs and propose essential government spending cuts. Taylor argues that cross-party collaboration is crucial to safeguard Australian industries and the economy from escalating carbon-related costs.

Taylor highlights specific areas for spending reductions while emphasising the need for major parties to work together. His proposals aim to balance environmental responsibilities with economic growth, sparking debate on how Australia should navigate its carbon policy.

Professor Chris Berg from RMIT University discusses the implications of Taylor’s stance and what it could mean for Australia’s economic future.

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Politics

Sussan Ley faces leadership pressure amid coalition turmoil

Sussan Ley faces rising pressure as Liberal Party dissent grows; political stability at risk, per Chris Berg.

Published

3 weeks ago

February 9, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Sussan Ley faces rising pressure as Liberal Party dissent grows; political stability at risk, per Chris Berg.

Liberal leader Sussan Ley is under growing pressure less than a year into her role, as internal party dissent intensifies and narratives form questioning her judgement. Political insiders suggest her leadership could face serious challenges in the coming months.

Professor Chris Berg from RMIT University breaks down the forces driving instability in Australian politics, examining how party dynamics and public perception influence leadership survival.

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#SussanLey #AustralianPolitics #LiberalParty #LeadershipCrisis #PoliticalAnalysis #ChrisBerg #RMITUniversity #TickerNews