Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said China “made a real mistake” by threatening to restrict exports of rare earth minerals, adding that Beijing’s move has jolted the United States and its allies to fast-track efforts to secure new sources within the next two years.
In an interview published by the Financial Times on Oct. 31, Bessent said China had drawn global attention to its willingness to use critical minerals as leverage.
“China has alerted everyone to the danger. They’ve made a real mistake,” he told the newspaper.
“It’s one thing to put the gun on the table. It’s another thing to fire shots in the air.”…