US economy optimistic at the end of the year.

VTV.vn - Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent predicts that US GDP could grow by 3% amid a surge in holiday shopping.

People shop at a supermarket in San Mateo, California, USA. (Photo: THX/VNA)

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that the holiday shopping season has been very active so far and predicted that the US economy will end the year on an optimistic note.

In an interview with CBS News' Face the Nation program, Scott Bessent stated that the U.S. economy had seen a 4% increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for several quarters, despite the government shutdown due to budget disagreements. He suggested that the U.S. economy could still end the year with real GDP growth of around 3%.

According to data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), US GDP in the first quarter of 2025 decreased by 0.6% compared to the same period last year. In the second quarter, the world's largest economy returned to growth at 3.8%.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta (BEA) is expected to release its initial estimate of third-quarter 2025 growth on December 23rd. The latest forecast from the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank on December 5th suggests that US GDP could grow by 3.5% year-on-year in 2024.

Consumers – who contribute nearly 70% of U.S. GDP – remain pessimistic about the economic outlook. The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment survey scored 53.3 points in December 2025, up 4.5% from November but down 28% from the same time last year.

The latest US inflation report, delayed due to the government shutdown, showed consumer prices in September rose 3% year-on-year, with food prices increasing 3.1%. Rising prices continue to impact people's lives, but President Donald Trump has dismissed suggestions that Americans are facing financial hardship.

Recently, voters have expressed frustration with the Trump administration's handling of the economy. According to an NBC News poll, about two-thirds of registered voters believe the administration has not done a good job addressing economic issues and the cost of living.

Responding to Trump's remarks, Secretary Bessent argued that the current administration is still dealing with the lingering effects of inflation from former President Joe Biden's time, and suggested that media coverage has created a negative perception of the economy among the public.

Source: https://vtv.vn/kinh-te-my-lac-quan-cuoi-nam-100251209091015508.htm