Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent: Putin, Chips, & Global Summits 8/19/25

Nvidia and AMD have reportedly agreed to give the U.S. government 15% of revenues from the chips they sell in China, in exchange for export licenses. The deal is an unprecedented arrangement between the government and private industry, raising concerns about what the deal represents for executive power whether it constitutes “paying off” the government.  Lip-Bu Tan, CEO of fellow chipmaker Intel, is headed to the White House after President Trump has publicly called for his resignation. President Trump and President Vladimir Putin will meet in Alaska on Friday; former Democratic Senator Heidi Heitkamp and former Acting Chief of Staff to President Trump Mick Mulvaney discuss the meeting and its optics. The Verge Deputy Editor Alex Heath maps out the battle for AI talent in tech, while firms offer millions for a small pool of hires. Plus, the list of potential Fed Chair nominees has gotten longer.  Heidi Heitkamp & Mick Mulvaney - 16:58Alex Heath - 30:09 In this episode:Alex Heath, @alexeheathJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

11 Elo 35min

The 5 things you need to know before the stock market opens today: President Trump is considering deploying up to 1,000 National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., the President is urging China to quadruple its American soybean purchases, shares of lithium miners are spiking in Asia after a Chinese company halted operations, Warner Brothers’ “Weapons” claimed the top spot at the weekend box office, and AOL is officially ending dial-up on September 30. Squawk Box is hosted by Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin.  Follow Squawk Pod for the best moments, interviews and analysis from our TV show in an audio-first format.

11 Elo 2min

The only person to have served as Treasury Secretary and as Federal Reserve Chair, Janet Yellen sits down to discuss interest rates, central bank independence, and the health of the U.S. economy. In a conversation with Andrew Ross Sorkin at the Aspen Economic Strategy Group Forum in Colorado, Yellen speaks candidly about President Trump’s pressure on sitting Fed Chair Jay Powell, as well as the policies of her successor at the Treasury, sitting Secretary Scott Bessent.  In this episode:Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

8 Elo 22min

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman sits down for an extended interview after the ChatGPT-5 launch this week. In a wide-ranging conversation, Altman discusses the impact his AI is having on human agency and hints at the world he envisions, as AI becomes more integrated into every aspect of society. He explains the expensive bet he’s making on Silicon Valley’s top AI talent, as well as his decision to keep pushing innovation–before focusing on his OpenAI’s profitability. Plus, Intel is still in focus on Capitol Hill and Wall Street. Sam Altman - 19:23 In this episode:Sam Altman, @samaJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

8 Elo 38min

The 5 things you need to know before the stock market opens today. Expedia taking off thanks to strong earnings, Pinterest is struggling from tariff uncertainty, Instacart is upbeat, SoftBank’s profit beat expectations and Sweetgreen is fighting the competitive salad wars. Squawk Box is hosted by Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin.  Follow Squawk Pod for the best moments, interviews and analysis from our TV show in an audio-first format.

8 Elo 3min

President Trump has announced he will impose a 100% tariff on chips and semiconductors imports, although he’s suggested exemptions for companies manufacturing in the U.S. One company that may qualify for that exemption: Apple. During CEO Tim Cook’s meeting with the President on Wednesday, Cook committed an additional $100 billion to onshore manufacturing. Author Walter Isaacson discusses Cook’s commitment in the context of Steve Jobs’ original plans to manufacture Apple products in America. President Trump also has another tech CEO in his sights, calling for the resignation of Intel’s Lip-Bu Tan on social media. CNBC’s Angelica Peebles reveals the latest obesity pill trial results from Eli Lilly. Orfoglipron’s results were similar to Wegovy, and investors are disappointed by the data and the rate of discontinuation among trial participants. Plus, Lyft CEO David Risher explains his company’s earnings report, strong on paper but disappointing to some investors.  Megan Cassella - 5:35Angelica Peebles - 13:03Walter Isaacson - 20:47David Risher - 35:21 In this episode:Megan Cassella, @mmcassellaAngelica Peebles, @angelicapeeblesJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinMelissa Lee, @MelissaLeeCNBCKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

7 Elo 38min

The 5 things you need to know before the stock market opens today … on a Thursday!  Toyota expects a profit hit due to increased tariffs, e.l.f. beauty is facing higher costs from higher tariffs on Chinese imports, SoftBank is still investing in artificial intelligence, leadership changes at Paramount Global and the MLB’s first female umpire takes the field this weekend.  Squawk Box is hosted by Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin.  Follow Squawk Pod for the best moments, interviews and analysis from our TV show in an audio-first format.

7 Elo 1min

Treasury Secretary under President George W. Bush Hank Paulson and Treasury Secretary under President Barack Obama Tim Geithner sat down with Andrew Ross Sorkin at the Aspen Economic Strategy Group Forum. In a wide-ranging conversation, Geithner and Paulson–two pivotal characters in the 2008 financial crisis–weigh in on tariffs, economic data, and the independence of the Federal Reserve. Geithner and Paulson underscore the resilience and strength of the American economy, despite slowing growth and tariff uncertainty.  In this episode:Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

6 Elo 18min