Trump has moved to sanction five Chinese companies Trump alleging that they were helping Iran through war.
This is the realization of another announcement by the US president against China, indeed ahead of the Summit in Beijing, but one that torpedoes relations between the two countries, which have been strained after Trump’s unilateral actions to impose sudden tariffs.
Immediate was the response from China’s Ministry of Commerce, which announced that “the US sanctions violate international law and the fundamental norms of international relations“. Previously, China’s Ministry of Commerce today issued a “legal decision prohibiting any recognition, application or compliance with the US sanctions imposed on five Chinese companies under the pretext of their alleged involvement in oil transactions with Iran“. It should be noted that while the Hormuz Strait remains closed, Chinese ships are allowed to transit by paying the relevant fee to Iran.
However, this is a serious escalation between the two superpowers (i.e. the US and China), while negotiations between the US and Iran are still up in the air. Earlier today, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held talks with his counterpart from South Korea on the latest developments and the diplomatic initiative to end aggression against Iran.
However, the risk of renewed escalation between the US and Iran is clear. For this eventuality Iran seems to be prepared. Earlier today an Iranian security official said: “It is likely that clashes with the United States will resume after Trump said last night that he is not satisfied with Iran’s proposal in the negotiations.”
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