The comments come after Bessent said Friday that the U.S. would undergo a transition period as the federal government tries to cut spending, including laying off public sector workers. Bessent on Thursday reiterated his view that current levels of government spending are "unsustainable.

President Donald Trump did not deny there could be a recession this year under his leadership, telling Fox News there would be a “period of transition” as his economic policies take effect, as the president’s rapidly shifting tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada have rattled the stock market and led to warnings of an economic downturn.