Many were surprised by recent comments from Donald Trump, who appeared to be warming up to the idea of skilled immigration. In an interview, he defended the need for foreign talent, suggesting the US must “bring talent into the country” because Americans lack “certain talents” for high-tech jobs. This was perceived as a major shift, potentially signaling an expansion of the H-1B visa program.
However, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has stepped in to reframe the narrative, explaining that Trump’s comments were part of a much different, more “America First” strategy. Bessent clarified that the goal is not to hire foreign workers to do jobs, but to hire them to teach jobs. The new policy is being described as a “knowledge transfer” initiative with a clear expiration date for the foreign participants.
Bessent described the vision as a “home run” for the United States, particularly for its workers. “This idea of overseas partners coming in, teaching American workers, then returning home, that’s a home run,” he stated. This model is designed to be temporary, with skilled workers brought in for a limited term, such as “three, five, seven years,” solely for the purpose of upskilling the domestic labor force.
The underlying reason for this policy, Bessent admitted, is a current skills deficit within the US. When pressed on why Americans can’t simply take these jobs now, he responded, “An American can’t have that job, not yet.” He pointed to industries like shipbuilding and semiconductors, where a long hiatus in domestic production has led to a lack of qualified American workers.
Ultimately, this policy is being presented as the solution to America’s industrial skills gap. Trump’s comments about needing talent were not a prelude to more immigration, but a prelude to this temporary training plan. The end goal, Bessent reiterated, is for foreign workers to “go home” so that “US workers will fully take over” these crucial and newly-learned technical roles.