'US Itself Continues To Engage In Trade With Russia': China On Trump's Tariff Threats

Last Updated:August 01, 2025, 09:27 IST

China has strongly rejected US accusations of aiding Russia and condemned new US tariffs on countries buying sanctioned Russian oil.

A file photo of Chinese President Xi Jinping (AP)

China has hit back at the United States over its tariffs, after the Donald Trump administration said it would levy tariffs of up to 500 per cent on countries that purchase sanctioned Russian oil.

The United States had also expressed displeasure at China’s continued purchases of sanctioned Iranian oil and its sales of over USD 15 billion worth of dual-use technology goods to Russia.

Addressing the media over the same, China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, Geng Shuang, refuted accusations made by the US representative against China at a UN Security Council meeting on the issue of arms supplies to Ukraine.

“I responded to such accusations on multiple occasions in past meetings. Since the US insists on repeating the same rhetoric, I find it necessary to set the record straight once again," Shuang said.

“First, China is not the creator of the Ukraine crisis, nor is it a party to the conflict. China has never provided lethal weapons to any party involved in the conflict," he added.

“We have always strictly controlled the export of dual-use items, including drones. Second, the UN Security Council has not imposed sanctions on any party of the conflict," he said.

“China maintains normal trade relations with both Russia and Ukraine, in full compliance with international law and without breaching any international obligations. China’s legitimate and lawful rights and interests must not be infringed upon," he said.

“In fact, the US itself continues to engage in trade with Russia to this day. Why should it be acceptable for the US to do so, but not for others?"

“Third, the Ukraine crisis is currently at a critical juncture, with a genuine prospect for a political resolution. The US cannot, on the one hand, ask China to play a constructive role in ending the war, while on the other hand, continuously smear and pressure China," he added.

“We once again urge the US to stop playing the blame game and scapegoating others, and instead contribute positively to efforts for a ceasefire, de-escalation, and the promotion of a dialogue and negotiation," he said.

US and Chinese officials met in Stockholm on Monday for more than five hours of talks aimed at resolving economic disputes with a goal of extending their truce on a trade war by three months.

China is facing an August 12 deadline to reach a durable tariff agreement with Trump’s administration, after Beijing and Washington reached preliminary deals in May and June to end escalating tit-for-tat tariffs and a cut-off of rare earth minerals.

TRUMP’s 25 PER CENT TARIFF IMPOSITION ON INDIA

China’s remarks came as Donald Trump also announced 25 per cent tariffs on imports from India, plus a penalty for New Delhi’s purchases from Russia.

“Remember, while India is our friend, we have, over the years, done relatively little business with them because their tariffs are far too high, among the highest in the World, and they have the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary trade barriers of any Country," Trump said, adding that the US has a “massive" trade deficit with India.

Disapproving of New Delhi’s defence deals with Moscow, the US President said India has “always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia".

They “are Russia’s largest buyer of energy, along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to stop the killing in Ukraine," he had said.

Vani Mehrotra

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

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First Published:

August 01, 2025, 09:22 IST

News world 'US Itself Continues To Engage In Trade With Russia': China On Trump's Tariff Threats

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