China Critiques Trump’s Tariffs on Iranian Trade
China’s Foreign Ministry and the state propaganda agency expressed strong disapproval on Tuesday regarding President Donald Trump’s decision to impose 25% tariffs on nations conducting business with Iran.
This announcement came after two weeks of protests in Iran, where calls for the overthrow of an oppressive Islamist regime led to a violent crackdown, resulting in the deaths of over 3,000 individuals. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, recently commented that it’s not the Trump administration facing collapse, but rather the elected government in America, which his aides assert remains in control.
Following this, Trump encouraged Iranian demonstrators to “take over their organization,” claiming the White House would back them in their struggle.
The newly introduced tariffs aim to prevent financial resources from bolstering Iran’s military apparatus used for oppression. Most affected will likely be Iran’s close allies, particularly those in the anti-American BRICS coalition led by China. Iran, already facing severe sanctions from the US and its partners, might feel significant economic strain, especially after losing access to Venezuelan oil due to recent political tensions.
Mao Ning, a representative from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made a statement emphasizing China’s clear stance, asserting that no one benefits from a tariff war. He further stated that China is committed to defending its legitimate rights and interests.
Concerning the ongoing protests in Iran, Mao indicated China’s support for “internal stability” while implying that Trump’s approach reflects a misuse of force in international relations.
In a more forceful response, the Chinese Embassy in Washington threatened to undertake “all necessary measures” to shield itself from potential tariffs.
Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the embassy, reiterated China’s consistent opposition to unilateral sanctions, stating that coercion and pressure wouldn’t fix the underlying issues and that protectionism ultimately harms all involved parties.
According to the state-backed Global Times, statements from experts associated with China’s Belt and Road Initiative warned that the tariffs against Iran’s trade partners could have destabilizing effects on the global economy.
Zhu Yongbiao, an expert at Lanzhou University, mentioned that current global economic growth is already sluggish due in part to geopolitical tensions and uncertainties in US policies. He suggested that ongoing tariffs would undermine the bases of global economic stability and adversely affect the US itself.
On Monday, Trump ordered the immediate implementation of 25% tariffs on Iranian trade partners, describing the action as “final and definitive.” White House press secretary Caroline Levitt mentioned during a briefing that while military action remains a potential option regarding Iran, the focus currently lies on diplomatic and economic strategies.
China stands to be one of the hardest-hit nations since it’s a close ally of Iran and a key importer of Iranian oil. Reports suggest that China is likely to increase its purchases of Iranian oil to offset losses expected from reduced trade with Venezuela. The tariffs might compel China to explore other oil supply options aside from Iran.
Notably, Nicolás Maduro, the former Venezuelan leader arrested recently, had maintained strong ties with Iran, collaborating with Iranian officials during his tenure. Just before his arrest, Maduro met a special envoy from China’s leadership.
Violence has persisted in Iran for two weeks, marked initially by a currency collapse that fueled unrest. While the currency devaluation sparked the immediate protests, deep-rooted grievances regarding the quality of life and severe state repression have long troubled many Iranians. Issues like water shortages and tax increase announcements have further aggravated public sentiment.
