Stock Market Fluctuations Won’t Stop ‘Strong Measures Against China’: Bessent

U.S. officials said Beijing is forcing the world to decouple from China, which would be to the communist country’s detriment.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (L) and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer address a press conference in Rosenbad after the trade talks between the United States and China concluded, in Stockholm, Sweden, on July 29, 2025. Magnus Lejhall/TT News Agency/AFP via Getty Images

Stock market volatility won’t influence the United States’ decision to respond with “strong measures” against Beijing’s aggressive move to restrict rare earth exports, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Oct. 15.

“If we have to take strong measures against the Chinese, we won’t negotiate because the stock market is going down; we will negotiate because we are doing what is best economically for the U.S.,” Bessent said on CNBC.