We're telling them we're watching them.
We've had some good uptake from some of the bigger retailers from some of the bigger retailers in terms of what they want to do for consumers."
Though June employment data showed only 57,000 added jobs and wage growth lagged behind the 4.2% inflation rate, Bessent characterized the strain as a temporary spike.
"I would expect, perhaps, as soon as this month, we're going to see real wage gains," Bessent said.
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When questioned whether Wall Street or the financial pressure felt by citizens reflects the true state of the economy, Bessent pointed to positive stock market performance as a forward-looking indicator.
"The stock market lives in the future.
So what the stock market is telling us is, presumably, what I am saying today, that we'll get to the other side of this," Bessent said.
"Rates will come down and then we will be back up to real wage gain. So both can be true."
The conversation also turned to the federal Trump Accounts program, which officially opens for public contributions on July 4 to encourage early stock market investment for citizens under 18.
"Thirty-eight percent of American households have no investment in our great equity markets, and we want everyone to share, you know, in the bounty that is the U.
S. ," Bessent said.
"In our innovation and our capital markets, and, you know, the economic engine, greatest in the history of the world.
So, you know, over time, I would think that that 38% number would move toward zero. And then the other thing too is financial literacy."
The federal government will provide a $1,000 match for children born between 2025 and 2028, supplemented by massive private donations including $6.25 billion from Michael and Susan Dell.
"I would expect that we are going to see, again from these philanthropic families and institutions and companies, I would expect that we would see the lower-income profile families, actually the accounts will be topped up more," Bessent said.
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The Treasury Department envisions these accounts expanding throughout childhood before eventually transitioning into standard individual retirement accounts.
