Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has outlined President Donald Trump’s new H-1B visa policy, which focuses on temporarily bringing skilled foreign experts to the United States with the aim of training American workers. During an interview with Fox News host Brian Kilmeade, Bessent emphasized that this initiative is not intended to replace American labor but to facilitate a “knowledge transfer” that will help rebuild critical sectors such as US manufacturing, shipbuilding, and semiconductor production that have suffered from decades of outsourcing.
Bessent articulated the administration’s vision, stating, “Train the US workers. Then go home. Then the US workers fully take over.” This framework aims to enhance the skillset of domestic laborers as foreign experts provide essential training before returning to their home countries. He made a strong rebuttal to concerns about potential job displacement, referencing the current state of industries that have been neglected for years, and highlighted the necessity of foreign expertise in bridging skill gaps before American workers can take over.
Trump’s remarks about foreign labor have stirred mixed reactions within certain factions of his base. In a separate interview, he noted that certain talents are not available domestically, further supporting the need for foreign professionals to guide American workers in technical fields. “You can’t take people off the unemployment line and say, ‘We’re going to make missiles,’” he pointed out.
Additionally, Bessent shared insight into the administration’s broader economic agenda, mentioning plans for a possible USD 2,000 tariff rebate for families earning under USD 100,000 to ensure that American families benefit from the government’s trade policy efforts. He expressed optimism about 2026 being a significant year for the US economy, describing the administration’s vision of “Parallel Prosperity”—a concept where both Wall Street and Main Street can flourish together—which hinges on maintaining a robust, stable Treasury market.
As the government seeks to foster growth and skills among American workers, this visa policy is seen as a strategic move to enhance domestic capabilities while temporarily utilizing international expertise.