U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant [Davos, Switzerland, Reuters=Yonhap News]

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant predicted on the 20th (local time) that U.S. President Donald Trump will announce his nominee for the next chairman of the U.S. central bank, the Federal Reserve (Fed), as early as next week.

In an interview with CNBC while attending the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, Secretary Bessant said, "The President is expected to make a decision (on the next Fed chairman) as early as next week."

Secretary Bessant added, "We have had extensive discussions on this matter. We have been proceeding with the process since last September, and there were 11 very strong candidates. It has now been narrowed down to four. The President has met with all of them personally, and his decision will now be made."

The four finalists mentioned by Secretary Bessant appear to be Kevin Hassett, Chairman of the White House National Economic Council, Kevin Warsh, former Fed Governor, and current Fed Governors Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman.

However, regarding Hassett, who was considered the most likely candidate, President Trump recently stated, "I actually want to keep Hassett in his current position (Chairman of the White House National Economic Council). I could lose Hassett. This is a serious concern for me."

In the interview, Secretary Bessant commented on Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, who has been facing pressure from President Trump for dismissal similar to himself, saying, "I actually think it's a mistake" that current Fed Chairman Jerome Powell is scheduled to attend oral arguments at the Supreme Court on the 21st concerning Cook's case.

He emphasized, "If you are trying not to politicize the Fed, it is truly a mistake for the Fed chairman to sit there (at the Supreme Court) and try to intervene unfairly."

Earlier, President Trump claimed that Governor Cook committed mortgage fraud and notified her of her dismissal in August last year.

In response, Governor Cook filed a lawsuit and received favorable rulings in the first and second trials. The case is currently being heard by the Supreme Court following an appeal by the Trump administration.