President Donald Trump’s new H-1B visa policy is designed to use foreign expertise as a bridge for rebuilding U.S. industries — not as a replacement for American jobs, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said.
Explaining the administration’s intent, Bessent described the initiative as a “knowledge transfer” programme focused on bringing skilled professionals to the United States temporarily to help train domestic workers. The approach, he said, is central to reviving key sectors like manufacturing, shipbuilding, and semiconductor production that have declined after years of outsourcing.
“Train the U.S. workers. Then go home. Then the U.S. workers fully take over,” Bessent said in an interview with Fox News, summarising how the administration envisions the transition.
Bessent pushed back against concerns that the policy might displace American employees. “An American can’t have that job — not yet,” he said. “We haven’t built ships or semiconductors here for years. Overseas partners coming in, teaching American workers — that’s a home run.”
He emphasised that the goal is to utilise temporary visa programmes like H-1B to fill immediate skill gaps, giving U.S. workers time to gain the required technical expertise before the foreign specialists return home. This, Bessent noted, aligns with Trump’s broader strategy of bringing back critical industries and reducing dependency on imports.
Trump’s stance on foreign labour has sparked debate even among his supporters. In another Fox interview, the president said the U.S. “doesn’t have certain talents,” adding that foreign experts are necessary to train Americans in highly technical fields. “You can’t take people off the unemployment line and say, ‘We’re going to make missiles,’” Trump remarked.
Bessent also touched on the administration’s economic priorities, revealing ongoing discussions about a potential $2,000 tariff rebate for families earning below $100,000. “The president’s talking about a $2,000 rebate,” he confirmed. “It’s part of ensuring families feel the benefits of strong trade policy.”