China is pushing back hard against a new U.S. bill that would let President Trump impose tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil and gas, arguing that Washington has no right to interfere with its trade relationships.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act 2026 on Wednesday, a measure that gives Trump the authority to sanction Russia while also slapping heavy tariffs on major Russian trading partners, including China and India.
Beijing Draws a Clear Line
Asked directly about the bill during a media briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun made China’s position unmistakable, saying the country opposes any move that hasn’t been authorized by the UN Security Council.
Guo explained that China’s trade and economic cooperation with other nations is built on equality and mutual benefit, and shouldn’t be a target for interference or pressure from outside parties. He added that China firmly rejects long-arm jurisdiction and one-sided sanctions that have no grounding in international law and lack UN backing.
Timing Ahead of a Major Summit
China’s response comes at a particularly sensitive moment, just days before President Xi Jinping is set to travel to Washington for a summit with Trump. The meeting is scheduled for September 24 and 25 and will mark the second time the two leaders have met this year, following Trump’s visit to Beijing back in May.
A Separate Track on Trade Talks
Even as tensions simmer over the sanctions bill, the two countries appear to be making progress on a different front. China’s Commerce Ministry said Thursday that Beijing and Washington are actively discussing a reciprocal tariff arrangement, one that would apply to roughly $30 billion worth of goods from each side.
Ministry spokesperson Huang Ling, quoted by the state-run Xinhua news agency, said trade teams from both countries are working to follow through on an agreement reached earlier between the two leaders during their Beijing meeting, with the goal of finalizing a reciprocal tariff reduction deal as soon as possible.
A Familiar Pattern for China
This isn’t the first time Beijing has taken this kind of stance. China has consistently opposed unilateral sanctions in the past and has continued purchasing oil from Iran despite U.S. sanctions targeting that trade as well.
China and India remain two of the largest buyers of Russian oil and gas, with much of China’s supply flowing through pipelines that cross its land border with Russia. According to official figures, China imported roughly $64 billion worth of Russian oil and gas last year, and imports between January and August of this year have already surpassed $70 billion.
What Happens Next
Having already cleared the Senate last month, the bill passed the House by a vote of 262 to 159 on Wednesday. It now heads to Trump’s desk to be signed into law. The legislation is designed to punish Russia for continuing its war against Ukraine.
(With agency inputs).