US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Tuesday that Washington expects strong support from allies, including India, to counter China’s new export restrictions on rare earth elements, which are critical to global industries.

Speaking to Fox News, Bessent described Beijing’s curbs as “China versus the world,” stressing confidence that major partners like India, Europe, and democratic nations in Asia would align with the US response. “We’ll be meeting with allies this week, and I expect substantial support from Europeans, Indians, and Asian democracies. This is a global problem,” he said.

Bessent warned that the US would not tolerate the export restrictions and hinted at possible retaliatory measures. “Everything is on the table,” he said, adding that earlier in the year, the US had implemented 12 countermeasures that disrupted China’s access to resources essential for its aviation and industrial production.

The development comes after US President Donald Trump threatened to impose 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese goods starting November 1, alongside export controls on critical software. Trump also hinted at cancelling a planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, accusing Beijing of “hostile” trade behaviour.

Beijing recently expanded its export controls on rare-earth elements and introduced fees on US ships following Washington’s tighter trade regulations.

Bessent confirmed that the Trump-Xi meeting, scheduled in South Korea, remains on track, noting that both sides have maintained “substantial communication.”

The latest tensions underscore escalating US-China trade frictions, with rare earths — essential for electronics, defense, and clean energy sectors — emerging as the latest flashpoint in the ongoing economic rivalry.