U.S. Treasury nominee Scott Bessent on Thursday faced sharp questions from both Democrats and Republicans on tax policy, tariffs, China, Russia sanctions and the future of an IRS tax filing system that Republicans have called to be cut.

Scott Bessent, Donald Trump's nominee for Treasury Secretary, said during a confirmation hearing Thursday that he is "perplexed" that the Biden administration did not impose more sanctions and tariffs on Russia's economy.

President-elect Donald Trump's pick for Treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, said on Thursday that the dollar should remain the world's reserve currency, the Federal Reserve should stay independent, and that he is ready to impose tougher sanctions on Russia's oil sector.

Advisors to Donald Trump are developing a sanctions strategy to reach an agreement between Russia and Ukraine while increasing pressure on Iran and Venezuela, Bloomberg reports. The agency notes that two scenarios have been prepared.