Director of the US National Economic Council accuses China of trying to intimidate the US government

Kevin Hassett, director of the US National Economic Council, accused China of trying to "bully" the US government by reinstating export controls on rare earth goods last week.

"It was a classic intimidation move. They wouldn't even answer calls from our team asking, 'What happened? Wasn't everything okay for Trump and Xi ( Jinping ) to meet?'" he said Tuesday night, 14, in an interview with Fox News .

Hassett, however, expressed confidence that trade negotiations between the two countries will continue and that China will begin to "follow the rules of the international community."

According to him, Beijing "needs to return to the negotiating table" and work together with American authorities to resolve the trade issue through dialogue, at the risk of damaging the Chinese economy itself.

In his view, China's economy is already facing problems this year, being sustained largely by Chinese exports of goods to Europe. "Maybe that's why they're acting this way," he commented, referring to controls on rare earths.

"Xi Jinping is up against the best team we've ever had, led by President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent," Hassett said.

The economic adviser also said that the US government has many "trump cards" against Beijing, without elaborating. "China won't take advantage of us; Trump will get a good deal for the US economy."