Squawk Pod

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent discusses the state of global tariff negotiations [https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/28/trade-war-tariffs-full-blown-crisis-us-farm-exporters-say.html?&qsearchterm=tariffs]; he says talks are ongoing, but it’s up to China to de-escalate [https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/28/chinese-factories-stop-production-eye-new-markets-as-us-tariffs-hit.html]. Secretary Bessent also warns that the Trump administration has an “escalation ladder” to climb, should it need more leverage in trade talks. Boardroom co-founder and CEO Rich Kleiman and MLB veteran pitcher CC Sabathia discuss the next era of baseball. The MLB is considering ways to better engage fans, including speeding up the pace of play. Plus, it’s a home buyer’s market, if they commit to deals [https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/24/march-home-sales-drop.html], and Domino’s Pizza reported a beat, thanks to international customers.    Scott Bessent - 15:44 Rich Kleiman & CC Sabathia - 33:43   In this episode: Rich Kleiman, @richkleiman [https://x.com/richkleiman?lang=en] CC Sabathia, @CC_Sabathia [https://x.com/cc_sabathia?lang=en] Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick [https://twitter.com/beckyquick?lang=en] Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk [https://twitter.com/joesquawk?lang=en] Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin [https://x.com/andrewrsorkin] Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie [https://twitter.com/Kramer_Katie]

Axios White House reporter Marc Caputo and former U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns discuss the trade talks–or lack thereof–between the U.S. and China. Between comments from the Chinese embassy and President Trump’s interview with Time, the public has conflicting accounts of where trade negotiations currently stand. Plus, Apple may move manufacturing of its US iPhones to India [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DN44RPuxYE], Google parent Alphabet has reported a beat on earnings, and Paramount is in talks with the FCC over its merger with Skydance.    Marc Caputo - 17:29 Nicholas Burns - 24:50   In this episode: Marc Caputo, @MarcACaputo [https://twitter.com/MarcACaputo] Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick [https://twitter.com/beckyquick?lang=en] Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin [https://x.com/andrewrsorkin] Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie [https://twitter.com/Kramer_Katie]

Ahead of the Chevron Championship in Houston, Becky Quick sits down with LPGA golfers Amy Alcott and Stacy Lewis. Alcott, a hall of famer and Chevron Champion, reflects on the history of fandom for women’s sports and the current momentum for sponsorships and viewership. Lewis, a competitor in the Chevron this week, explains golfing strategy off the green; for the athletes and fans of women’s sports, the time is now for investment and publicity. To watch Stacy Lewis and her competitors at the Chevron this week, tune into NBC or Peacock.    Amy Alcott & Stacy Lewis - 6:06   In this episode: Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick [https://twitter.com/beckyquick?lang=en] Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk [https://twitter.com/joesquawk?lang=en] Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin [https://x.com/andrewrsorkin] Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie [https://twitter.com/Kramer_Katie]

Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack was once a market participant at Goldman Sachs; she’s a policymaker now, but she says she’s still watching the markets during periods of volatility. Google is still under antitrust scrutiny [https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/21/google-argues-doj-breakup-could-hurt-us-economy-in-battle-with-china.html], but regulation may affect AI innovation. Aravind Srinivas, CEO of AI engine Perplexity, discusses Google’s contributions to its competitors and the future of AI. Plus, Fed Chair Jay Powell [https://www.cnbc.com/video/2025/04/23/prestrump-fed-chair-powell-making-a-mistake-not-lowering-interest-rates.html], China [https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/24/china-says-no-talks-with-the-us-on-trade-calls-for-canceling-unilateral-tariffs.html], the Kentucky Derby, and even millionaires are caught in President Trump’s crosshairs.    Aravind Srinivas - 33:13 Steve Liesman & Beth Hammack - 15:44   In this episode: Aravind Srinivas, @AravSrinivas [https://x.com/AravSrinivas] Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick [https://twitter.com/beckyquick?lang=en] Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk [https://twitter.com/joesquawk?lang=en] Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin [https://x.com/andrewrsorkin] Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie [https://twitter.com/Kramer_Katie]

After news that Harvard is suing the Trump administration [https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/21/harvard-sues-federal-government-after-trump-administration-slashed-billions-in-funding.html] over its threats to cut funding, ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt discusses antisemitism on college campuses and beyond. Plus, Washington Post reporter Faiz Siddiqui discusses his new book about Elon Musk’s leadership: “Hubris Maximus: The Shattering of Elon Musk.” Third Point CEO Dan Loeb spoke on Tuesday night about his belief in the resilience of the American economy, while President Trump backtracked his previous comments [https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/22/trump-says-he-has-no-intention-of-firing-fed-chair-powell.html] and said he has no intention of firing Fed Chair Jerome Powell.    Jonathan Greenblatt - 19:12 Faiz Siddiqui - 34:18   In this episode: Jonathan Greenblat, @JGreenblattADL [https://x.com/JGreenblattADL?] Faiz Siddiqui, @faizsays [https://x.com/faizsays?lang=en] Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick [https://twitter.com/beckyquick?lang=en] Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk [https://twitter.com/joesquawk?lang=en] Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin [https://x.com/andrewrsorkin] Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie [https://twitter.com/Kramer_Katie]