SAEDNEWS: China’s Foreign Ministry rejected the U.S. demand to halt oil purchases from Iran and Russia, stating: "No pressure will deter us from securing the energy our country needs."
According to Saed News political service, citing Fars News Agency, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to the U.S. request to halt oil purchases from Russia and Iran with a statement declaring that due to external pressures, it has no plans to revise its energy policy.
The statement, reported by the Associated Press, said:
“China will always secure its energy supplies based on its national interests. Bullying and pressure will achieve nothing. China will firmly defend its sovereignty, security, and development interests.”
Earlier, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bassett, during talks with Chinese representatives, emphasized that “the Chinese are very serious about their sovereign right to purchase oil from Russia.” He added, “We do not want to interfere with their sovereignty, so they are willing to pay a 100% tariff.” Bassett noted that while the Chinese negotiators are tough, this resistance has not stopped the dialogue, stating, “I believe there is room to reach an agreement.”
However, Gabriel Weildow, CEO of consulting firm Teneo, expressed doubts about the implementation of Trump’s threat to impose a 100% tariff. He warned, “Enforcing such threats could undo all recent progress and completely destroy the possibility of a trade agreement announcement between Trump and Xi Jinping should they meet this autumn.”
According to AP, the U.S. is striving to reduce oil exports from Russia and Iran, as energy remains the main revenue source for these countries. The U.S. government claims this move aims to limit financial resources for the Russian and Iranian armed forces.
Western media reports indicate that over the past three years, China and India have become the largest buyers of Russian oil. Unlike China, India has previously stated it is prepared to halt Russian oil imports if sanctions are imposed by Washington.
