China has formally declared that it will not comply with U.S. sanctions imposed on five Chinese companies accused of purchasing Iranian oil, escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing as both sides prepare for high‑level talks later this month.
Beijing’s commerce ministry issued a statement on Saturday saying the U.S. measures “shall not be recognized, implemented, or complied with,” arguing that the sanctions violate international law and improperly restrict normal trade with third countries. China remains one of Iran’s most important oil customers, particularly through independent “teapot” refineries that rely on discounted crude.
The injunction covers three companies in Shandong province Shandong Jincheng Petrochemical Group, Shandong Shouguang Luqing Petrochemical and Shandong Shengxing Chemical as well as Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Refinery and Hebei Xinhai Chemical Group. These firms were targeted in separate rounds of U.S. sanctions announced since last year.
Washington added further pressure on Friday, sanctioning another Chinese company, Qingdao Haiye Oil Terminal Co., Ltd., which it said had imported “tens of millions of barrels” of Iranian crude, generating billions in revenue for Tehran. That company was not included in Beijing’s injunction.
The U.S. has intensified efforts to curb Iran’s oil revenue amid a prolonged diplomatic stalemate and ongoing conflict following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February. China, however, has consistently opposed unilateral sanctions lacking United Nations authorization.
The dispute unfolds just weeks before U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit China for talks with President Xi Jinping a meeting now likely to feature sharp disagreements over sanctions, energy trade and the broader geopolitical fallout from the Iran conflict.
#China #USSanctions #IranOil #GlobalTrade #Geopolitics
+ There are no comments
Add yours