Former U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed the possibility of imposing new tariffs against China due to its rising oil trade with Russia, further heightening tensions between these global powers. In a statement issued Tuesday morning, Trump expressed alarm over China’s role in aiding Russian energy exports – something which he described as an attack against American interests and violation of global sanctions meant to isolate Russia following its actions in Ukraine.
Reports revealed that China had greatly increased its imports of Russian crude oil, bypassing Western sanctions imposed against Moscow as part of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Data from international energy agencies suggests China has become one of Russia’s main customers with nearly 25% of all Chinese oil imports now coming from Russian producers – this has alarmed policymakers in Washington who fear Beijing’s growing reliance on Russian energy could compromise efforts to isolate and punish it economically.
Trump lashed out against the Biden administration for failing to take decisive action against China’s increasing energy ties with Russia. According to him, China “defies Western sanctions on Russia knowing they can get away with it due to this administration’s weak response,” according to him. If I were president, heavy tariffs on Chinese goods would be implemented until they stop providing oil support to Putin’s regime through purchases.
Trump’s statements signal a possible return to his “America First” approach to foreign policy, including tariffs as an instrument of pressure against adversarial nations. Under Trump, tariffs were imposed significantly against China to reduce trade deficit and challenge Beijing’s economic practices in particular in technology areas.
Former President Jimmy Carter’s remarks have created controversy within Washington. Some lawmakers are advocating for tougher sanctions on China while others caution that escalated trade tensions may damage global economies as we work to recover from impacts caused by COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions.
Wang Wenbin of China’s Foreign Ministry responded quickly and directly to Trump’s remarks by refuting any notion of tariffs on energy trade between Russia and China, asserting that their trade relations are subject to international norms, driven by market needs. Our trade relationships are transparent with mutual benefits between countries,” according to Wang.
Experts caution that Trump’s proposal of new tariffs against China could exacerbate tensions already present between the countries due to trade, technology and military tensions in the South China Sea. They warn such action could prompt China’s response by raising tariffs or decreasing purchases of U.S. Treasury bonds from Beijing.
Trump’s proposed tariffs remain unimplemented if he returns to the White House; his comments have added another layer of doubt into an already fragile U.S.-China trade relationship.