China warns against linking tariffs to Russian oil purchases, says it won’t accept ‘long-arm jurisdiction’ | Today’s news
China on Thursday (Sept 17) rejected the US’s use of tariffs to pressure countries over their purchases of Russian oil and gas, saying Beijing would not accept Washington’s “long jurisdiction” or interference in its normal trade and economic cooperation.
The warning came after the US House of Representatives passed the Lindsey O. Graham Russia-Iran Sanctions Act of 2026, which authorizes President Donald Trump to impose sanctions on Russia and impose tariffs on major buyers of Russian energy, including China and India.
The legislation, which has already passed the US Senate, cleared the House 262-159 and will now go to Trump for his signature.
China Rejects US ‘Long Arm Jurisdiction’
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China opposes US tariffs on purchases of Russian oil, believing such measures constitute “long-arm jurisdiction” and disrupt its normal trade and economic cooperation with other countries.
China’s Foreign Ministry stresses that it rejects unilateral sanctions that are not authorized by the UN Security Council, and says its trade relations are based on equality and mutual benefit.
The US tariffs could significantly affect India’s energy imports from Russia by increasing costs and potentially reducing the volume of crude oil it purchases, as India depends on Russian oil to meet its energy needs.
India is committed to its energy security and is exploring diversified oil sources to mitigate the impact of potential US tariffs on its Russian oil imports.
US sanctions on Russian oil could tighten supply and raise prices in international energy markets, impacting net energy importers such as India, especially at a time of continued geopolitical tensions.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kuo Jiakun said Beijing opposes measures that do not have authorization from the UN Security Council.
“China engages in normal economic and trade cooperation with other countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefit,” Guo said at a press conference.
“Such cooperation does not target any third party and must not be disrupted by coercion from any third party. China opposes long-arm jurisdiction and unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law and lack the mandate of the UN Security Council,” he said.
The bill calls for sanctions not only against Russia’s leadership and energy sector, but also against vessels in the so-called “shadow fleet” that allegedly help Moscow evade sanctions over oil supplies.
It also authorizes Trump to impose tariffs on countries including China and India in an effort to reduce their dependence on Russian oil and gas, along with additional sanctions against Iran.
China retreats ahead of Trump-Xi summit
Beijing’s latest warning comes ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s planned visit to Washington for a summit with Trump, expected on September 24-25.
The meeting would be the second summit of the two leaders this year. Trump visited Beijing in May and held extensive talks with Xi Jinping.
China has repeatedly opposed unilateral sanctions and has also continued to buy Iranian oil despite US sanctions.
China and India are among the largest consumers of Russian oil and gas. Much of Russia’s energy imports to China are transported by pipeline across its land border.
Read also | The Kremlin says the Russia sanctions bill will “complicate” Ukraine’s peace efforts
Beijing and Washington are negotiating a tariff agreement
Despite the dispute over Russian energy, China and the US continue to negotiate on tariffs.
China’s Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday that Beijing and Washington are consulting on a framework for reciprocal tariff reductions covering $30 billion worth of products from each side.
India also warns of an impact on linkages and energy markets
India has separately warned that the US sanctions legislation could have ramifications for relations between Delhi and Washington and the global energy market, particularly as it imposes punitive tariffs of up to 100% on major Russian oil buyers.
The Ministry of External Affairs said India remains “strongly committed” to ensuring the energy security of its 1.4 billion people and will take all necessary measures to protect its trade and economic interests.
India is monitoring developments following the passage of the legislation, the MEA said, adding that the issue has been discussed at a high level with US partners in recent months.
“The government will work closely with Indian trade and industry bodies to deal with the implications of these developments,” the ministry said.
Read also | Trump warns of ‘very tough tariffs’ if EU makes Canada an associate member
