WASHINGTON, Oct 24 (Reuters) - Republican lawmakers have

been praising a preliminary plan under consideration by

President Donald Trump's administration to curb exports to China

of a dizzying array of globally produced technology powered by

U.S. software, as first reported by Reuters.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the proposal

which, if implemented, could hit global shipments to China of

everything from laptops to jet engines, cars and industrial

pumps, as part of a bid to retaliate against Beijing's latest

round of rare earth export restrictions.

"President Trump's strong moves to secure our nation's

supply chains, safeguard our software, and protect the American

people are all critical steps to countering China's predatory

actions targeting the U.S. economy this month," Republican

Congressman John Moolenaar, who chairs the House Select

Committee on China, said in a statement to Reuters when asked

about the proposed measure.

The policy, if it moves forward, would make good on Trump's

threat in a social media post this month to bar "critical

software" exports to China by restricting global shipments of

items that contain U.S. software or were produced using U.S.

software. Trump's post came a day after Beijing dramatically

expanded its export controls on rare earth elements, key inputs

for U.S. automakers and other tech industries that are largely

controlled by China.

"I will confirm that everything is on the table," U.S.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters at the White

House Wednesday when asked about software curbs on China. "If

these export controls - whether it's software, engines or other

things - happen, it will likely be in coordination with our G7

allies."

Republican Senator Rick Scott echoed Moolenaar's praise,

saying he fully supports "the Trump administration's bold

actions to hold Communist China accountable and restrict its

access to American technology, software, or intellectual

property that would undoubtedly be used against us. This is a

huge step in protecting American innovation, jobs, and our

national security," he added.