Key Takeaways:
Trump and Bessant adopt a “good cop, bad cop” approach to market signaling
Trump’s remarks on Section 899, US-Japan tariffs, and Powell’s dismissal caused volatility
Bessant counters with market-calming statements and policy reassurances
CITIC Securities calls this coordinated narrative the “TACO transaction”
Bessant seen as the market mouthpiece of the Trump administration
According to a research report by CITIC Securities, U.S. President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Bessant are employing a deliberate “TACO deal” strategy—a market-influencing tactic rooted in the classic “good cop, bad cop” dynamic.
The report highlights how Trump’s market-disruptive remarks—including comments on Section 899, the U.S.-Japan tariff negotiations, and the possible dismissal of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell—have created spikes in market uncertainty.
In contrast, Bessant has played the role of the stabilizer, frequently stepping in with market-friendly reassurances. He has publicly urged Congress to remove Section 899, expressed optimism about the US-Japan trade agreement, and worked behind the scenes to dissuade Trump from firing Powell.
CITIC analysts believe that this intentional messaging pattern is aimed at managing investor expectations while maintaining pressure on policy negotiations. The coordinated effort has been dubbed the “TACO transaction”, reflecting its tactical use of Timing, Assurances, Communication, and Orchestration to influence market sentiment.
Bessant, now considered the key spokesperson for market stability within the Trump administration, may act as a signal for market turning points. His statements are increasingly viewed as deliberate entry or exit triggers for institutional traders navigating volatile macro policy narratives.