Rachel Reeves and Scott Bessent ‘argued’ in Washington after Chancellor’s Iran war criticism
Downing Street has refused to deny reports that Chancellor Rachel Reeves had a heated exchange with her US counterpart Scott Bessent during a visit to Washington DC earlier this year.
Financial Times It reported that Ms. Reeves had argued with Mr. Bessent while attending the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund.
The alleged conflict reportedly stemmed from Ms Reeves’ public criticism of the US war against Iran ahead of her transatlantic trip.
Mr. Bessent later “berated” him on the sidelines of the meeting, according to the newspaper.
Ms Reeves is said to have said she did not work for the US treasury secretary and did not like the way he spoke to her, repeating her claim that America lacked clear objectives when entering conflict and was not making the world safer.
The prime minister’s official spokesman appeared to avoid refuting the reports when questioned on Tuesday, but insisted Ms Reeves and her US counterpart had since held “constructive” talks.
The spokesman said: “We will not engage in private discussions. The chancellor and the US treasury secretary have a good relationship.”
“They have had constructive discussions together since the Chancellor’s visit to Washington.
“I think there’s a statement from the U.S. Treasury Department that makes clear the productive nature of their relationship.”
The Chancellor emerged as one of the UK government’s most outspoken critics of the US decision to go to war in Iran before heading to IMF meetings in April.
He criticized US President Donald Trump’s decision to go to war, which resulted in Iran retaliating with attacks on Gulf states and the closure of the vital oil and gas shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz.
At that time, he described the war as ‘madness’ and said: “This is a war we did not start. It was a war we did not want.”
“I feel very frustrated and angry that the United States entered this war without a clear exit plan, without a clear idea of what it was trying to achieve.”
The Chancellor also argued that the best economic policy now for Britain and the world is to ease the Middle East crisis and reopen the strait.
