Trump Targets Global Trade Partners of Iran in Escalating Economic Pressure Campaign

The Trump administration is escalating its campaign to economically isolate Iran by targeting countries and companies that continue trading with Tehran. The U.S. has identified major trade partners of Iran, including China, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Iraq, and India, which could face significant consequences from Washington's economic pressure.

China is particularly exposed due to its central role in Iran's oil trade, accounting for roughly 90% of Iran's oil exports. Official bilateral trade between China and Iran reached $9.96 billion in 2025, but an estimated $31.2 billion in Iranian crude exports to China were not officially reported.

The U.S. Treasury has sanctioned several Chinese refiners over purchases of Iranian oil, although Washington has so far avoided directly targeting major Chinese financial institutions. Beijing publicly opposes U.S. sanctions against Iran and has instructed domestic companies to disregard American restrictions imposed on five refiners connected to Iranian oil.