Washington: The United States is looking to its global allies, including India, for support in responding to China’s new export restrictions on rare earth elements, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Monday.
In an interview with Fox News, Bessent described China’s move as “China versus the world,” asserting that Washington expects a united front from its partners in Europe and Asia. He said the US is already in discussions with several nations and anticipates strong backing from India and other democratic countries in countering Beijing’s trade measures.
“We have already been in touch with allies and will be meeting them this week. I expect substantial global support from the Europeans, from the Indians, and from democracies across Asia. This is a global issue, and I believe our partners will follow us on this,” Bessent said.
He emphasised that Washington will not tolerate export restrictions that disrupt global supply chains, adding that “everything is on the table” in terms of potential countermeasures. Bessent recalled earlier US actions targeting Chinese industries dependent on natural resources, which he claimed had disrupted parts of China’s civilian aviation fleet.
The tensions come as US President Donald Trump warned of additional 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese goods starting November 1, along with possible export controls on critical software. He also hinted at cancelling a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, accusing Beijing of hostile trade practices after it expanded its rare earth export curbs.
However, Trump later downplayed the dispute, saying there was “no need to worry about China,” adding that President Xi had simply “had a bad moment.” Despite the escalating rhetoric, Bessent confirmed that the scheduled meeting between the two leaders in South Korea would proceed, noting that communication between both sides had continued over the weekend.
Beijing recently tightened export control measures on rare earth elements and imposed new fees on US ships, while Washington has expanded its own export rules. Trade negotiations between the two countries, ongoing since April, are set to face renewed pressure with a temporary truce expiring on November 10.
