Liberation Day, Round 2: Trump’s Tariffs & the AI Talent Race 7/8/25

CEO and President of Atlantic Council Fred Kempe discusses how the Trump administration’s renewed push for trade deals with foreign partners are being factored into the markets–or not. Meta has lured another AI executive to its team with a multi-million dollar compensation package–this time, it’s Ruoming Pang from Apple. Wired Senior Writer Lauren Goode discusses the ongoing tech battle for top AI talent. Plus, the TSA may be changing shoe requirements at the airport, Elon Musk is releasing a new version of his AI bot Grok, and Courtney Reagan reports on the best deals for Prime Day shoppers.  In this episode:Lauren Goode, @LaurenGoodeFred Kempe, @FredKempeCourtney Reagan, @CourtReaganMegan Cassella, @mmcassellaJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkMelissa Lee, @MelissaLeeCNBCKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Megan Cassella - 03:18Courtney Reagan - 16:57Fred Kempe - 23:15Lauren Goode - 35:42

In the latest phase of the Trump administration’s tariff strategy, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that the foreign nations without deals by August 1st would end up with the tariffs enacted in April. Sec. Bessent then announced that the administration will make “several” trade-related announcements within the next 48 hours, signaling imminent progress even as U.S. tariff deadlines remain in flux. Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Eric Adams discusses his independent bid in the city's mayoral race, including the politics of Andrew Cuomo and the campaign promises of the Democratic candidate, Zohran Mamdani. Plus, Elon Musk is forming his own political organization called the "America Party," and CNBC’s Phil LeBeau reports on the negative reaction from some Tesla stockholders.  Phil LeBeau - 7:37Scott Bessent - 13:06Eric Adams - 30:29 In this episode:Sec. Scott Bessent, @SecScottBessentEric Adams, @NYCMayorBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

AMERICA’S DEFICIT RECKONING: What happens if the U.S. doesn’t rein in the budget deficit? CNBC Senior Finance & Banking Reporter Leslie Picker interviewed a dozen experts, investors and former government officials over the course of five months to explore the consequences of America’s fiscal path – not how to solve it, but what’s at stake if we don’t. This special report unpacks how rising debt threatens markets, hinders economic growth, and fractures international relations. From trillion-dollar annual interest payments to bond-market tremors to geopolitical vulnerability, CNBC explores the tipping point that the U.S. may be approaching – and whether it’s still possible to change course.

The 5 things you need to know before the stock market opens today: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said over the weekend that countries who don’t make a trade deal with the U.S. before August 1st will see their tariff rates revert to what they were in April. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is meeting with President Trump at the White House today, Oracle is offering the U.S. government a 75% discount on some of its software, and Rep. Mark Green (R-Tennessee) will resign from Congress this month, temporarily tightening the margin between Democrats and Republicans in the House.  Squawk Box is hosted by Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin.  Follow Squawk Pod for the best moments, interviews and analysis from our TV show in an audio-first format. 

The House of Representatives began debate on President Donald Trump’s sweeping spending bill following a late-night shift as key Republican holdouts threw their support behind the measure. Representative Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) stepped out of an hours long speech from Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) to fill CNBC’s audience in on the broader implications of the legislation. Microsoft will lay off about 9,000 employees, just under 4% of its global workforce. CNBC’s Steve Kovach and fellow tech journalist Michal Lev-Ram discussed the role of AI in the cuts and the future of tech’s labor force. Meanwhile, U.S. payrolls increased by 147,000 in June, President Trump continues to put pressure on Fed Chair Jerome Powell to cut rates, and OpenAI is issuing a warning about Robinhood’s “tokens” in the company. Ro Khanna - 15:28Steve Kovach & Michal Lev-Ram - 23:03 In this episode:Rep. Ro Khanna, @reprokhannaMichael Lev-Ram, @mlevramMelissa Lee, @MelissaLeeCNBCAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

In an extended interview, SEC Chair Paul Atkins discusses his vision for the agency. From cutting red tape and rebooting IPOs to expanding retail investors' access to private markets, Atkins outlines what a “new day at the SEC” really means. He addresses his push for a rational crypto framework and his top priorities since taking the helm of the agency in April. Plus, CNBC’s Emily Wilkins joins with the latest developments from Capitol Hill, Sam Altman is calling out Mark Zuckerberg, and Paramount has agreed to pay $16 million to settle Trump’s lawsuit over its ’60 Minutes’ Kamala Harris interview. Emily Wilkins - 02:58Paul Atkins - 16:25 In this episode:Emily Wilkins, @emrwilkinsMelissa Lee, @MelissaLeeCNBCAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

The 5 things you need to know before the stock market opens today: the ADP releases its monthly metrics for private sector hiring later this morning, Tesla will release its own second quarter delivery numbers, health insurer Centene has pulled its 2025 earnings guidance, beverage conglomerate Constellation Brands missed quarterly estimates in its latest report, and Netflix and Spotify could be teaming up on a screen near you.  Squawk Box is hosted by Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin.  Follow Squawk Pod for the best moments, interviews and analysis from our TV show in an audio-first format. 

Senators worked through the night Monday as President Trump’s sweeping legislative package struggled to gain passing support in the Senate. CNBC’s Emily Wilkins reports on the record-setting vote-a-rama and what’s at stake for the President’s second-term agenda. RXR chairman and CEO Scott Rechler shares his perspective on the NYC mayoral race, candidate Zohran Mamdani’s campaign promises, and solutions to the city’s housing shortage. Republic is launching a SpaceX token that offers unaccredited investors an opportunity to invest in the company pre-IPO. Co-CEO Andrew Durgee explains his platform, its regulatory hurdles, and the future of tokenized investing. Plus, CNBC’s Steve Kovach reports on Apple’s plans to overhaul Siri as the company looks for new AI partners. Emily Wilkins - 02:42Steve Kovach - 10:42Scott Rechler - 22:33Andrew Durgee - 32:14 In this episode:Emily Wilkins, @emrwilkinsBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

The 5 things you need to know before the stock market opens today: Circle applies for a national bank charter, Boeing CFO Brian West prepares to step down, Robinhood launches tokenized shares of OpenAI and SpaceX for users in Europe, NASA strikes a deal to stream live missions on Netflix, and President Trump nears a settlement with Paramount. Squawk Box is hosted by Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin. Follow Squawk Pod for the best moments, interviews and analysis from our TV show in an audio-first format.

Senators will begin offering amendments to President Donald Trump’s legislative package after a weekend of tense negotiations aimed at advancing his second-term domestic agenda. CNBC’s Emily Wilkins breaks down the so-called “vote-a-rama.” Then, Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg reflects on 25 years since the company formed from the merger of Bell Atlantic and GTE. Meanwhile, Apple’s new film ‘F1,’ produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and starring Brad Pitt, opened in theaters with a strong box office performance. Bruckheimer discusses the film’s success, the future of Hollywood, and the challenge of competing with streaming. Plus, Zohran Mamdani, the presumptive Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, said that he believes billionaires should not exist. Emily Wilkins - 03:47Hans Vestberg - 22:00Jerry Bruckheimer - 32:40 In this episode:Emily Wilkins, @emrwilkinsHans Vestberg, @hansvestbergBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY