Bessent: No supply chain shocks ahead from tariffs

• Many businesses have front-loaded imports to avoid the tariffs, though it's unclear how long that inventory will last.

What they're saying: "I wouldn't think that we would have supply chain shocks," Bessent said at a White House briefing. "I think retailers have managed their inventory in front of this."

• "I speak to dozens of companies — sometimes daily, but definitely weekly — and they know that President Trump is committed to fair trade, and have planned accordingly,' Bessent added.

Yes, but: There's already ample evidence that shipments of goods to the U.S. are quickly decreasing.

The big picture: Businesses don't know how long the 145% tariffs on Chinese goods will last, part of the huge uncertainty roiling corporate America and forcing some companies to suspend revenue and profit guidance to Wall Street.

• Speaking to reporters, Bessent would not clarify the state of trade talks between the U.S. and China. Officials in China dispute Trump's claims that the world's two largest economies are engaged in talks that might de-escalate trade tensions.

• "The Chinese tariffs are unsustainable for China," Bessent said. "They sell almost five times more goods to us than we sell to them — so the onus will be on them to take off these tariffs."

Go deeper: Retail wipeout: Trump tariffs stoke fears of shortages and price hikes