China has pushed back strongly against fresh U.S. sanctions targeting its companies over purchases of Iranian oil, making it clear it won’t play along.
In a statement on Saturday, Beijing’s commerce ministry said the measures c aimed at several Chinese firms would neither be recognised nor enforced. Officials described the sanctions as overreaching and lacking any basis in international law.
At the heart of the dispute is Iran’s oil trade. Despite ongoing tensions, China remains one of Tehran’s biggest buyers, with smaller independent refineries relying heavily on discounted crude shipments.
Washington, however, has been tightening the screws, hoping to choke off a key source of revenue for Iran.
The latest round of sanctions adds to that pressure, targeting companies the U.S. says have handled large volumes of Iranian oil.
But Beijing argues that such moves interfere with legitimate business dealings between countries.
“The sanctions improperly restrict normal economic and trade activities,” the ministry said, adding that China has consistently opposed unilateral actions not backed by global consensus.
The standoff comes at a delicate moment. Relations between Washington and Beijing are already strained, and with U.S. President Donald Trump expected to visit China later this month for talks with President Xi Jinping, the issue could quickly rise to the top of the agenda.
For now, both sides appear dug in with China signalling it has no intention of backing down, even as the U.S. ramps up its campaign against Iran’s oil exports.
