Treasury Secretary Bessent & Media with Mario Gabelli 7/31/25

After the U.S. struck a trade deal with South Korea, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent explains that negotiation and the ongoing talks with China after the administration’s two-day meeting with Beijing officials in Stockholm. Sec. Bessent discusses his team’s frustration with India’s negotiating team and the “2-dimensional chess” match that is the China-U.S. relationship. The day after the Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged for the July meeting, Sec. Bessent says he’s compiling a list of candidates to fill the soon-opening seats at the central bank. Veteran media investor Mario Gabelli discusses his 50-year investment in Paramount Global, the company’s upcoming merger with Skydance, and the future of entertainment. He weighs in on media transactions and the best ways to “save Hollywood,” including restoring creative capacity. Plus, Microsoft and Meta wowed Wall Street with their quarterly earnings.

Steve Liesman - 13:15

Megan Cassella - 18:38

Scott Bessent - 22:03

Mario Gabelli - 44:37

In this episode: 

Megan Cassella, @mmcassella

Steve Liesman, @steveliesman

Scott Bessent, @SecScottBessent

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk 

Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

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