China Threatens Retaliation Against Expanded US Sanctions on Iran

Beijing has issued a stern warning to Washington regarding its plans to expand sanctions on Iran. The measures, unveiled by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, target companies based in Hong Kong and mainland China but stop short of listing large Chinese financial institutions.

The Trump administration's new secondary sanctions have sparked concerns that they could disrupt the delicate relationship between the two nations. With less than a month to go before presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping are scheduled to meet in Washington, any significant increase in US sanctions on China would be seen as a major escalation.

China buys 90% of Iran's oil, making it a crucial player in the country's economy. The warning from Beijing suggests that it will retaliate if Chinese companies are included in any expansion of the Trump administration's new sanctions.