China hit back at “illegal unilateral sanctions” after U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said Beijing would be among those to feel the pain of his proposed legislation, which would slap up to a 500 percent secondary tariff on those trading with Russia.
Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, said the legislation has bipartisan support in Congress, and it comes as U.S. President Donald Trump threatens new secondary tariffs against Russia to force Moscow to make peace in Ukraine.
Trump touted a 100 percent secondary tariff, but Graham’s bill would give him the power to do five times that.
Large-scale Chinese oil purchases have been a vital crutch for the sanctions-hit Russian economy during the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Lin Jian, spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, said at a press briefing on Tuesday, July 15, Beijing’s position on ending the Ukraine war has been consistent and clear, and that it can only be achieved through dialogue and negotiation.
“China firmly opposes any illegal unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction,” Lin said, the state-run Global Times reported.
“There are no winners in a tariff war, and coercion and pressure cannot solve problems.
“It’s hoped all parties will further foster an environment and accumulate conditions to advance the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, and take more actions that are conducive to peace talks.”
This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
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