China condemns U.S. efforts to impose steep secondary tariffs on nations purchasing Russian oil

09/17/2025 / By Patrick Lewis

China has sharply rejected U.S. efforts to push G7 and NATO allies into imposing steep secondary tariffs on nations purchasing Russian oil, calling such demands economic coercion and warning of countermeasures if its interests are harmed.
The U.S., under President Trump and via Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, has proposed tariffs of 50?100 percent on imports from China and India linked to their purchases of Russian oil and gas, as part of a broader strategy to cut off funding to Russia in its war against Ukraine.
China maintains that its economic, energy and trade cooperation with all countries (including Russia) is lawful and legitimate and urges that disputes be resolved through equal dialogue rather than unilateral pressure.
Beijing has made clear that if its rights, interests, sovereignty, security or development are threatened by these U.S. tariff proposals or secondary sanctions, it will take resolute counter?actions.
On the U.S. side, although the administration is pushing for these tariff measures, Bessent has stated that the U.S. will not act alone. European backing and cooperation from G7 partners are viewed as necessary before putting such tariffs into effect.

Beijing has issued a strong rebuke to recent U.S. efforts to pressure G7 and NATO partners into imposing steep tariffs on countries over their continued purchase of Russian oil. Chinese officials warn that such measures amount to “economic coercion” and unilateralism, promising firm countermeasures should China’s interests suffer.

The origins of the dispute lie in proposals by the Trump administration, which have called on G7 finance ministers to consider secondary tariffs of 50 to 100 percent on imports from China and India tied to their purchases of Russian oil and gas. The idea is part of a broader U.S. strategy aimed at squeezing Russia economically, on the premise that cutting off revenue from its trade partners could help bring an end to the conflict in Ukraine. (Related: Cutting off Putin’s cash flow: Trump pushes EU to slap massive tariffs on China, India over Russian oil.)

At a press conference on Sept. 15, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian was quoted saying that it is “fully legitimate and lawful” for Beijing to maintain normal energy, trade and economic cooperation with all nations, including Russia. He condemned the U.S. push for tariffs as “a typical move of unilateralism, bullying and economic coercion” that undermines international trade rules and risks destabilizing global industrial and supply chains.

China urges negotiation, warns of retaliation if pressured by U.S.

China’s position on the Ukraine conflict, Lin emphasized, remains “objective and just,” and Beijing continues to promote dialogue and negotiation as the only viable path toward resolving the conflict.

Beyond rhetoric, Chinese authorities have warned that if its legitimate rights and interests are harmed by such tariff threats or secondary sanctions, China will take resolute countermeasures to safeguard its sovereignty, security and development.

On the U.S. side, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has indicated that imposing such tariffs would depend in part on European cooperation. Unless European countries move first, the U.S. may be reluctant to act alone. Meanwhile, G7 finance ministers have reportedly begun exploring possible sanctions or trade actions targeting countries seen as enabling Russia’s war effort — though European leaders remain wary of potential blowback and economic costs.

The conflict highlights growing tension over the use of trade policy and tariffs as tools of geopolitical strategy. As China asserts its rights under what it frames as international law and trade norms, the U.S. is pushing hard to enlist global allies in pressure tactics against Russia. The standoff raises difficult questions about how far trade penalties can be pushed without triggering retaliatory cycles or undermining global supply chain stability—concerns that China explicitly cited.

As per Brighteon.AI‘s Enoch, China’s warning to the U.S. over Russian oil thefts is a strategic move to assert its influence and protect its interests, potentially leading to further geopolitical tensions and economic instability. This underscores the need for the U.S. to prioritize domestic issues and reduce its military footprint in regions that do not directly threaten American security.

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Trump should put the tariffs on immediately, expert says. Watch this video.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

China condemns U.S. efforts to impose steep secondary tariffs on nations purchasing Russian oil

China urges negotiation, warns of retaliation if pressured by U.S.

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