China has responded to Trump’s crushing economic sanctions that the US President imposed on Iran in a push to pressurize the country economically.
China’s Foreign Ministry pushed back against Trump’s Economic D-Day campaign against Iran, while calling for diplomacy to resolve the months-long conflict.
According to spokesperson Lin Jian, “Imposing sanctions and pressure do not help to solve the issue. China calls on relevant parties to take responsible measures and solve the issues through diplomatic and political means.”
President Trump on Wednesday launched “the most crushing economic operation ever taken against any country” while describing this campaign as “economic warfare and isolation on an unprecedented scale.”
Trump also threatened other countries including Gulf allies with tougher economic sanctions if they try to help and do business with Iran.
“ANY country that allows its financial institutions, businesses, airports, or government entities to provide any type of lifeline to Iran will itself face TREMENDOUS Economic Consequences,” Trump wrote on Truth Social post.
China’s response comes as it buys more than 80 percent of Iran’s shipped oil, as shown by 2025 data from analytics firm Kpler.
Paul Musgrave, an associate professor of government at Georgetown University in Qatar said, President Trump’s announcing sweeping sanctions on Iran is “clearly aimed at China”
After the United Arab Emirates, China is Iran’s second biggest trading partner accounting for 26% of overall imports which make up $17.8 billion. On Wednesday, the UAE halted all trade with Iran on the grounds of missile attacks for an indefinite period.
“Of course China has signalled that it doesn’t want to participate in any wider form of sanctions, but it’s also not helping Iran”, he added.
