U.S. Treasury Secretary's Mixed Feelings About China's Rare Earth Supply
China's regulation of rare earths, which has struck a nerve in Western industries, is not forgotten by U.S. Treasury Secretary Bowman.
On the local time of November 16, Bowman, during an interview with Fox News morning program, stated that the U.S. government hopes to finalize a rare earth supply agreement with China before Thanksgiving on November 27. At the same time, he was quite uneasy, fearing being "strangled" again by China, so he threatened that if China "changes its mind," the U.S. has many means of retaliation.
"The current agreement has not been finalized yet, and we hope to finalize it before Thanksgiving on November 27," said Bowman in the program. He mentioned that the leaders of China and the U.S. had previously met in South Korea, "after the meeting, I believe the Chinese side will fulfill all its commitments."
He said that after the agreement takes effect, the supply of rare earths will "return to the free flow state before April 4th."
Bowman did not forget to threaten, saying that if China "changes its mind," the U.S. has various means of retaliation.
He admitted that previously, China stopped purchasing American soybeans as a countermeasure against Trump's tariff policies, which made American soybean farmers become "victims."
"But we believe that the agreement reached this time will make up for this issue," he added.
At the same time, he also refuted a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, which reported that China plans to restrict U.S. companies with ties to the military from obtaining rare earths.
China has repeatedly emphasized on the issue of rare earth export controls that the relevant measures are normal practices of improving China's export control system in accordance with laws and regulations, reflecting China's major power responsibility in maintaining world peace and stability. China is committed to maintaining the safety and stability of the global industrial and supply chains.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1849022012403776/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.