In town pool #3b More Bessent quotes...

The China question was "Are you considering software curbs on Chinese exports?"

Bessent said: "I will confirm that everything is on the table, that we are going into the negotiations with good intentions with great respect. The Chinese have put these rare earth export controls not only on the U.S. but on the whole world, and if these export controls, whether it is software, engines or other things happen, it will likely be in coordination with our G7 allies."

Asked about beef negotiations with Argentina, Bessent said he has not spoken with the president on that.

On the shutdown back and forth with Warren, "Senator Warren is welcome to come to the Treasury's economic literacy classes to understand what we are doing."

He suggested that the shutdown was delaying help for American farmers. "The Argentinian government is open, and they are running so we are able to negotiate with them. There are many things we wanted to do. We want to get money out to our farmers, especially our soy farmers but the government has been shut down. So I think the Democratic senators--I would say to the moderate Democratic senators, You can be heroes, reopen the government."

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Michael Scherer

Staff Writer

The Atlantic

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