Washington DC, Sketsa.id – China has firmly rejected the United States’ attempts to pressure Beijing into halting its energy trade with Russia, following Washington’s recent punitive tariffs against India for importing Russian oil.

Liu Pengyu, Spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the US, stated that China’s cooperation with Russia is conducted within the bounds of international law and should not be subject to external interference.

“The international community, including China, engages in normal cooperation with Russia under international legal frameworks. This is legitimate, lawful, and does not harm any third party. Such cooperation deserves respect and protection,” Liu told RIA Novosti on Thursday (7/8/2025).

He emphasized China’s opposition to unilateral sanctions imposed by the US, calling them “illegal and unjustifiable.”

“Trade wars produce no winners. Coercion and pressure will not yield results,” Liu added.

Despite escalating tensions, China expressed willingness to maintain constructive economic dialogue with the US. Liu urged Washington to honor previous bilateral agreements and strengthen communication through established trade mechanisms.

“We hope the US will work with China to uphold the consensus reached by our leaders, enhance mutual understanding, and expand mutually beneficial cooperation,” he said.

The statement comes after President Donald Trump’s latest tariff hike on Indian goods—a warning to other nations still purchasing Russian oil. China’s defiance signals a potential standoff, as the US struggles to enforce its energy sanctions globally. (*)