Beijing has dismissed Washington’s demands to cease oil imports from Russia and Iran, defending its energy trade decisions.
Beijing has dismissed Washington’s demands to cease oil imports from Russia and Iran, defending its energy trade decisions.
Despite signs of progress in US-China trade negotiations, a major point of contention remains unresolved: Washington’s demand that Beijing stop importing oil from Iran and Russia. Chinese officials have firmly rejected the request, vowing to prioritise the country’s energy needs and sovereignty.
“China will always ensure its energy supply in ways that serve our national interests,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated on X on Wednesday, following two days of negotiations in Stockholm. “Coercion and pressuring will not achieve anything. China will firmly defend its sovereignty, security and development interests,” the ministry added.
The response comes as both sides express optimism about striking a broader trade deal that could help stabilise commercial ties and reverse steep tariffs between the world’s two largest economies. However, Beijing’s firm stance highlights its readiness to resist pressure, especially when energy and foreign policy are involved.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent acknowledged the impasse, noting China’s firm position on oil imports. “The Chinese take their sovereignty very seriously,” he told reporters after the meetings. “We don’t want to impede on their sovereignty, so they would like to pay a 100% tariff.”
Calling the Chinese “tough” negotiators, Bessent said talks had not stalled. “I believe that we have the makings of a deal,” he told CNBC on Thursday.
Gabriel Wildau, managing director at Teneo, said he doubts President Donald Trump would follow through on imposing the threatened 100% tariff. “Realising those threats would derail all the recent progress and probably kill any chance” of Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping sealing a trade agreement if they meet this autumn, Wildau noted.
The US is seeking to cut off vital revenue streams from Russian and Iranian oil sales, citing concerns over Moscow’s war in Ukraine and Tehran’s support for militant groups in the Middle East.
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