Dr. Rafael Marrero from Miami Strategic Intelligence Institute for Poder & Dinero and FinGurú
Introduction
The first 100 days of Secretary Scott Bessent’s term have marked a crucial shift in U.S. economic policy. This is characterized by a return to fundamental principles of fiscal responsibility, trade balance, and strategic international commitment. This period has been instrumental in laying the groundwork for the administration's overarching goals, emphasizing a "America First" approach to addressing complex global economic scenarios.
Key Achievements
Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform
Secretary Bessent has been a central figure in advancing the administration’s fiscal agenda, particularly by promoting the "3-3-3 Plan," which aims for a GDP growth of 3%, an inflation rate of 3%, and a federal deficit of 3% relative to GDP. Collaboration with Congressional leaders has yielded significant progress in extending tax cuts from the Trump era, and legislation is moving forward to consolidate these measures (U.S. Department of the Treasury, 2025a).
Trade and Tariff Strategy
To address long-standing trade imbalances, the Treasury has implemented specific tariffs, particularly on Chinese imports, with rates reaching as high as 145%. These measures aim to protect domestic industries and encourage fair trade practices. While these actions have spurred discussions with international partners, they underscore the government's commitment to reshaping trade relationships (Reuters, 2025a).
As of April 29, 2025, the United States had collected approximately $21 billion in tariff revenues since President Trump took office on January 20, 2025, according to data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). In April alone, the Department of Homeland Security reported over $15.9 billion in revenue, with an average daily income of around $285 million, according to the latest figures from the U.S. Department of Commerce. These revenues come from various tariffs, including a base rate of 10% on imports and higher tariffs on strategic sectors such as automotive, steel, and aluminum. However, some rates were suspended or adjusted throughout the month.
Reform of International Financial Institutions
Secretary Bessent has advocated for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to refocus on their core missions: ensuring global financial stability and supporting economic development. This stance calls for a departure from peripheral initiatives, urging these institutions to concentrate on macroeconomic fundamentals (Reuters, 2025b).
Strategic International Commitments
The Secretary has participated in high-level meetings with his international counterparts, including finance ministers from Germany, Poland, and Argentina, to strengthen economic ties and promote collaborative growth strategies. The establishment of the Investment Fund for the Reconstruction of the United States and Ukraine exemplifies the commitment to supporting allies and fostering global stability (U.S. Department of the Treasury, 2025b).
Economic and Geopolitical Forecasts
National Economic Outlook
The U.S. economy is projected to experience moderate growth, with a forecasted GDP growth rate of 3%. The ongoing emphasis on fiscal discipline and tax reforms is expected to boost economic resilience and investor confidence.
Global Trade Dynamics
Ongoing trade negotiations, particularly with China, are expected to evolve, with a potential easing of tariff tensions subject to reciprocal adjustments in policies. The government remains open to dialogue, as long as trading partners commit to fair practices (Reuters, 2025a).
International Financial Institutions
Reforms in the IMF and World Bank are expected to progress, aligning these institutions better with their core objectives. These changes are likely to enhance their effectiveness in addressing global economic challenges.
Surge in Investment: $7 trillion commitments for strategic U.S. sectors
An astonishing outcome of Secretary Bessent’s first 100 days is the unprecedented increase in foreign and corporate investment commitments flowing into the United States. Thanks to a favorable business climate and trade restructuring, companies and allied nations have committed around $7 trillion to U.S. projects in priority sectors, according to foxbusiness.com. This influx of commitments, documented in reports from the White House and summarized by the media, spans technology, manufacturing, infrastructure, and energy. Below are highlights of the significant investment commitments (in U.S. dollars), demonstrating the scope and strategic focus (see Table 1):
This astounding influx —over $7 trillion in total promises— far exceeds any investment surge in U.S. history, rivaling mobilizations from the reconstruction era. It reflects confidence in the U.S. economy and a strategic realignment of global capital flows. As noted by a senior White House official, many entities have committed "even more than anticipated" in these figures, indicating the potential for billions more if projects succeed (foxbusiness.com). President Trump stated that such levels of investment have not been seen "perhaps since the 1940s or 1950s," according to foxbusiness.com, underscoring its historical significance.
Impact and Relevance: The impact of these commitments on the U.S. economy is profound. These investments are projected to create hundreds of thousands of well-paying jobs in the coming years, according to rev.com. The administration estimates that the current program will generate at least 451,000 new jobs for American workers, according to Rev.com. Job creation is concentrated in strategic industries: manufacturing (electronics, vehicles), energy, and technology, which offer multiplier effects throughout supply chains. For example, a new chip factory employs thousands of people directly and supports jobs in construction, tooling, and R&D, in addition to bolstering a supplier and startup ecosystem. Similarly, direct foreign investment from allies like Japan and the United Arab Emirates often provides training, technology transfer, and export opportunities for U.S. companies, amplifying the benefits.
Another key aspect is that these investments reinforce U.S. industrial and technological leadership. By securing a massive injection of capital into AI, semiconductor manufacturing, and advanced manufacturing, the U.S. addresses vulnerabilities exposed in recent years (such as the chip shortage) and outpaces rivals in the next-generation technology race. For instance, the development of a national AI infrastructure (through the $500 billion Stargate project and $200 billion from NVIDIA) ensures that the U.S. hosts the world’s most advanced processing capability for artificial intelligence, a critical factor for the economy and national security in the digital age (foxbusiness.com). In semiconductors, expansions from TSMC and potentially Samsung mean that the U.S. will produce a much greater share of cutting-edge chips domestically, reducing reliance on East Asia and democratizing the supply chain for Western allies. These commitments also align with the 3-3-3 Plan: greater domestic investment contributes to the 3% growth target (through improved productivity and output) and can help shrink the trade deficit (since more goods are produced domestically).
Furthermore, the combination of foreign sovereign investments (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Japan, India) represents a geopolitical win. These countries are effectively betting on the future of the United States, linking their economic fortunes with that of the U.S. For example, the $1.4 trillion promise from the UAE likely includes partnerships in energy (renewables, oil, gas) and technology, tying Gulf capital to American innovation. Japan’s $1 trillion commitment indicates that while it is bolstering its defenses, it views the U.S. as the primary focus for high-tech development. This solidifies alliances: when nations invest at this scale, they gain an interest in the stability and prosperity of the U.S., aligning their interests with those of the United States. It is a form of economic policy: nations such as Japan, India, and the Gulf states likely received assurances of closer strategic ties in exchange for their investment commitments (for instance, India’s $310 billion may be part of a broader U.S.-India initiative on supply chains and defense collaboration). Thus, the $7 trillion increase boosts the U.S. economy and reconfigures international partnerships around a U.S.-centered economic network.
From a fiscal perspective, an often-overlooked benefit is that private investment reduces the burden on public funds. Instead of the U.S. government funding all new infrastructure or industrial policy, these trillions of dollars in private and foreign capital take on the load. This contributes to deficit goals: the growth of private investment increases tax revenue and reduces the need for deficit spending to stimulate the economy. The U.S. is leveraging global capital to achieve internal renewal, a strategy that could yield dividends for years.
Conclusion
The first 100 days of Secretary Scott Bessent have been characterized by decisive actions aimed at strengthening the economic foundations of the United States and reaffirming its global leadership. Under Bessent's leadership, the Treasury is guiding the country toward sustained prosperity and stability through strategic fiscal policies, firm trade measures, and proactive international commitments.
Dr. Rafael Marrero, President, Founder, and Chief Economist of MSI²
References
Reuters. (2025a). Bessent states that U.S. and China tariffs must be reduced before trade negotiations can begin. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com
Reuters. (2025b). Bessent, from the U.S. Treasury, urges the IMF and World Bank to refocus on their core missions. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com
U.S. Department of the Treasury. (2025a). Statement from Secretary Scott Bessent on the Senate's approval of the Budget Resolution for Fiscal Year 2025, favorable to growth. Retrieved from https://home.treasury.gov
U.S. Department of the Treasury. (2025b). The Treasury announces an agreement to establish an Investment Fund for Reconstruction between the U.S. and Ukraine. Retrieved from https://home.treasury.gov
U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (2025). Tariff revenue data through April 2025. Retrieved from https://www.cbp.gov
U.S. Department of Commerce. (2025). Daily tariff collection statistics. Retrieved from https://www.commerce.gov
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