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China Opposes Trump’s Proposal for Tariffs on Russia's Trade Partners
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China criticized US President Donald Trump’s proposal to impose tariffs on the trade partners of Russia if the war in Ukraine is not ended within 50 days. This proposal, which aims to put pressure on Russia by targeting countries still doing business with the Kremlin, has drawn strong opposition from Beijing on July 15.
Lin Jian, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that China “firmly opposes all unlawful unilateral sanctions.”
He further remarked, “There are no winners in a tariff war, and coercion and pressure will not solve any problems.” Lin reiterated China’s long-standing position on the Ukraine conflict, stating, “We have always believed that dialogue and negotiations are the only viable solution to the Ukrainian crisis,” according to DW.
According to the Brussels-based think tank Bruegel, China remains Russia's largest trading partner, with annual trade between Moscow and Beijing reaching nearly $240 billion.
China accounts for approximately 48% of Russia’s total trade turnover. Following China, the European Union is likely Russia’s second-largest trading partner, with trade volumes estimated to reach 14% of Russia’s overall trade.
India follows in third place, with $68 billion in trade with Russia, while Turkey ranks fourth.
On July 14, 2025, during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House, President Trump announced his intention to impose secondary tariffs on Russian trade partners if no peace agreement is reached within 50 days.
“If we don’t have an agreement within 50 days, there will be secondary tariffs, and they will be at a 100% level,” Trump declared.
Trump expressed frustration with Vladimir Putin, saying, “I’m disappointed in him, as despite our negotiations, rockets are still flying at Kyiv and killing people. This must stop.”
During the same meeting with Rutte, Trump also confirmed that Ukraine would receive Patriot missile defense systems “within a couple of days.”
He mentioned, “We have one country with 17 Patriot systems ready to be shipped. They won’t need them, so we are going to figure out where these 17 will go—most of them will go to the side of the war,” referring to Ukraine’s military needs.
Earlier, US Senator Lindsey Graham introduced a bill proposing a 500% tariff on imports from countries that continue buying Russian oil, gas, or uranium if Moscow refuses to negotiate a peace agreement with Ukraine.
