Bessent ‘to-do’ list shows proposal for US to buy $5-10bn of Japanese yen
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was photographed with a notepad detailing a potential plan to purchase $5-10 billion in Japanese yen. The leak has prompted speculation regarding US intervention in currency markets to stabilize the yen against the dollar.
Why it matters
Currency market interventions by the US Treasury are rare and carry significant implications for global trade and international economic stability.
Scott Bessent’s notepad with his proposal to buy Japanese yen. Scott Bessent’s notepad with his proposal to buy Japanese yen. US politics Bessent ‘to-do’ list shows proposal for US to buy $5bn-$10bn of Japanese yen Treasury secretary’s notepad, photographed by Reuters on Friday morning, prompts questions over US plans
Prefer the Guardian on Google During a cabinet meeting at Camp David on Friday, the US treasury secretary Scott Bessent carelessly revealed plans for the US to buy $5bn-$10bn in Japanese yen in a scribbled “to do” list left visible to a Reuters photographer.
The image, taken over Bessent’s shoulder during a portion of the meeting open to journalists, showed a Camp David notepad with the underscored words “To Do” followed by “Buy Japanese Yen (JPY) $5-10 bil”.
Bessent’s name card on the Camp David conference table is visible and positioned immediately above the notepad.
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