China Rejects Trump Call for Sanctions Over Russian Oil
China has strongly opposed U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal urging NATO to stop buying Russian oil and impose tariffs on countries that continue trade with Moscow. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said sanctions only make matters worse and emphasized that Beijing does not plan or participate in wars.
Trump’s Sanctions Proposal
Trump called on NATO members to cut Russian oil imports and suggested tariffs between 50% and 100% on China for its continued purchases. He argued that such measures would weaken Russia’s financial standing and pressure Moscow over the Ukraine conflict.
China’s Stand on Sanctions
In his response, Wang Yi said China opposed comprehensive sanctions, stressing that such tactics escalate tensions rather than resolve disputes. He added that China would continue to support dialogue and cooperation as alternatives to confrontation.
Wider Global Context
Several NATO nations, including Turkey, Hungary, and Slovakia, still rely on Russian oil, making a unified embargo difficult. Trump has already targeted India with tariffs for buying Russian oil, but China has not yet faced similar penalties. Beijing insists that multilateralism and engagement remain the only viable solutions to complex global crises.
