Bessent does not believe China wants to be 'agent of chaos'

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday said it is not clear whether China's recent restrictions on exports of rare earth minerals represent a split politically inside its trade negotiating team, but that he doesn't believe Beijing wants to be an "agent of chaos."

"It's very difficult to know," Bessent said in a press conference in Washington on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.

Bessent said a Chinese official "showed up uninvited in Washington and said, quote, 'China will cause global chaos if the port shipping fees go through.' I don't believe China wants to be an agent of chaos."