China standing firm against U.S. demands that it stop buying oil from Russia and Iran

CBS News ^ | August 4, 2025

[McGruff]

U.S. and Chinese officials may be able to settle many of their differences to reach a trade deal and avert punishing tariffs, but they remain far apart on one issue: the U.S. demand that China stop purchasing oil from Iran and Russia.

"China will always ensure its energy supply in ways that serve our national interests," China's Foreign Ministry posted on X on Wednesday following two days of trade negotiations in Stockholm, responding to the U.S. threat of a 100% tariff.

"Coercion and pressuring will not achieve anything. China will firmly defend its sovereignty, security and development interests," the ministry said.

The response is notable at a time when both Beijing and Washington are signaling optimism and goodwill about reaching a deal to keep commercial ties between the world's two largest economies stable.

[Mariner]

Assuming both China and India will not bow to the POTUS demand, it will severely damage his and US credibility.

It’s actually better for both that he backs off.

[HighSierra5]

To hell with the Chicoms!

[escapefromboston]

I don’t blame China but we should be trying to do less business with them as possible

[Tell It Right]

Assuming both China and India will not bow to the POTUS demand, it will severely damage his and US credibility. It’s actually better for both that he backs off.

I disagree. Even if Trump isn't successful at convincing China to quit buying oil from Russia, it's good to bring Europe into the focus of China. Right now, Europe hates Russia more than LSU fans hated Nick Saban. IMHO, Trump is basically telegraphing to anyone that hates Russia that China is funding Russia.

[alexander_busek]

[...] but we should be trying to do less business with them as possible

American consumers should deliberately shun Chinese-made consumer products. Either simply "do without," or switch to comparable products sourced from "friendly" countries.

A "grass-roots" consumer boycott could do much to apply pressure to the Chicoms.

Regards,

[escapefromboston]

The government needs to ban Chinese from buying American property and stopping their students from attending American universities

[GingisK]

American consumers should deliberately shun Chinese-made consumer products.

You are dreaming. There are generally no alternative products. I think it makes more sense to allow the Chinese their own sovereignty in this matter.

[GingisK]

I can get behind that.

[Bobbyvotes]

You are correct my FRiend. When 80%+ prescription meds come from China & India, Trump has no trump cards.

[alexander_busek]

When 80%+ prescription meds come from China & India, Trump has no trump cards.

Did I specify pharmaceuticals?

U.S. consumers should inform themselves, and then selectively boycott Indian consumer goods - either foregoing purchases entirely, deferring them for at least a time, or - easiest to do - switching to substitutes available from "friendly" countries.

It isn't necessary to summarily stop buying ALL Chinese goods to hurt them significantly and send a message.

Regards,

[Owen]

This is scarcity. It is geology. It is not politics.

THERE IS NOT ENOUGH OIL IN THE WORLD TO CUT OFF RUSSIA’s 7 million bpd export capacity.

If you persuade someone to not consume it, and get theirs from KSA, then whoever was getting it from KSA before will have to beg Russia.

A guy in another thread demanded the Russian oil export facilities on the Arctic coast and Vladivostok be destroyed. That would do it. Just persuade President Trump to have the US Navy shell those facilities. Good luck.

[Owen]

Oh and btw, about 2 mbpd is arriving in China from Russia via pipeline, so the Navy will have to use cruise missiles to attack those Russian territory installations, too.

This is really the only choice. Make it, or accept the inevitable.

[Brian Griffin]

“China is funding Russia”

The Russian arms factory worker:
1. pays his rent in rubles,
2. buys his potatoes, bread, meat, cheese, vegetables and fruit using rubles,
3. pays his electric, Internet and cellphone bills in rubles,
4. pays for his gasoline in rubles,
5. buys his clothes using rubles, etc.

[Mariner]

“It isn’t necessary to summarily stop buying ALL Chinese goods to hurt them significantly and send a message.”

POTUS Trump is effectively proposing/threatening an embargo on Russian energy through secondary tariffs. Those tariffs, if actually implemented will do enormous harm to Chinese AND American businesses.

Embargo has historically been a prelude to general war.

[tired&retired]

Raise China tariffs to 500%

[alexander_busek]

Embargo has historically been a prelude to general war.

I made it quite clear that I was advocating for a grass-roots movement of American consumers to avoid Chinese products as far as possible.

I was not speaking of a govt.-imposed embargo. That is a separate issue which has its pros and cons.

Regards,

[GingisK]

consumers to avoid Chinese products as far as possible.

Not much on the selves come from somewhere else. It is Chinese goods or none.

I think we have no business whatsoever making those sort of demands upon China. They are a sovereign nation that must make its own decisions. Trump's tariff war is something for which I did not vote, nor can I get behind.

[adorno]

A guy in another thread demanded the Russian oil export facilities on the Arctic coast and Vladivostok be destroyed. That would do it. Just persuade President Trump to have the US Navy shell those facilities. Good luck.

The Ukrainians would be more than willing to do it. If they don't have the capability of doing it, they can get it from the U.S. and elsewhere.

Oh and btw, about 2 mbpd is arriving in China from Russia via pipeline, so the Navy will have to use cruise missiles to attack those Russian territory installations, too.

So, the Ukrainians should get their hands on cruise missiles. Or they can use what they already have, drones. The Ukrainians already have the most capable drones in the world, via necessity.

[adorno]

The Russian arms factory worker:
1. pays his rent in rubles, 2. buys his potatoes, bread, meat, cheese, vegetables and fruit using rubles,
3. pays his electric, Internet and cellphone bills in rubles,
4. pays for his gasoline in rubles,
5. buys his clothes using rubles, etc.

Irrelevant...

When trade between China and Russia occurs, the Chinese are not paying for Russian goods in rubles; and vice versa, where Russians are not paying for Chinese goods in 'yuan'.