Highlights:
- China rejects US “long-arm jurisdiction”
- Beijing opposes unilateral sanctions without UN backing
- US House passes Russia sanctions bill
- China and US discuss reciprocal tariff reductions
- Chinese trade with Russia continues despite US pressure
China has rejected US efforts to impose tariffs or sanctions linked to purchases of Russian oil and gas, arguing that its normal economic and trade relations with other countries should not be subject to interference or coercion by a third party.
Responding to questions about the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Beijing opposes actions that lack authorization from the United Nations Security Council.
“China engages in normal economic and trade cooperation with other countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefit,” Guo said at a media briefing in Beijing.
He added that such cooperation does not target third parties and should remain free from outside disruption or coercion. China, he said, opposes “long-arm jurisdiction” and unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law or a UN Security Council mandate.
Washington targets Russia’s trading partners
The US House of Representatives passed the sanctions legislation in a 262-159 vote on Wednesday (16). The bill would authorize president Donald Trump to impose sanctions on Russia and steep tariffs on major trading partners of Moscow, including China and India.
The legislation seeks to increase economic pressure on Russia over its continued war against Ukraine.
China has repeatedly opposed unilateral sanctions and has previously resisted US pressure over its purchases of Iranian oil. Beijing is also one of the largest buyers of Russian oil and gas, alongside India.
According to official data cited in the report, China imported about $64 billion worth of Russian oil and gas last year, while imports from January through August this year had already exceeded $70 billion.
Much of China’s Russian energy supply is transported through pipelines crossing the countries’ land border, making the trade an important part of their broader economic relationship.
Beijing and Washington discuss tariffs
The dispute over sanctions comes as China and the United States continue discussions on tariffs and trade.
China’s Commerce Ministry said Thursday that the two countries are negotiating a framework for reciprocal tariff reductions covering about $30 billion worth of products from each side.
Ministry spokesperson Huang Ling said the economic and trade teams of both countries were working on implementing the understanding reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump during their meeting in Beijing.
The goal, she said, is to reach a reciprocal tariff reduction arrangement as soon as possible.
The latest developments also come ahead of Xi’s planned visit to Washington for a summit with Trump, expected to take place September 24-25. It would mark their second summit this year.
The discussions put trade, energy and sanctions at the center of a broader US-China economic relationship, with Beijing maintaining that its trade decisions should not be dictated by sanctions imposed by another country.
