AsianFin -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he has a shortlist of four candidates to succeed Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, without US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

In an interview with CNBC, Trump said that during a conversation on Monday night, Bessent told him he was opting out of the race and preferred to stay in his current job.

"Well, I love Scott, but he wants to stay where he is," said Trump.

According to media reports, Former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh and Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, are among the four candidates, though Trump hasn't disclosed the full list.

"Both Kevins are very good, and there are other people that are very good, too," Trump said.