U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent attends a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Argentina's President Javier Milei (both not pictured) during the 80th United Nations General Assembly, in New York City, New York, U.S., September 23, 2025. REUTERS/Al Drago

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Tuesday there was a very good chance President Donald Trump would announce a new chairman of the Federal Reserve before Christmas.

"So we're going to have the last interview in the second round today. Andrew, we got five very strong candidates," Bessent said in an interview with CNBC. Jerome Powell's term as Fed chair ends in May.

(Reporting by Susan Heavey and Doina Chiacu; Editing by Andrew Heavens)