The US Treasury Department will discuss the issue of buying Iranian and Russian oil in Beijing.
Scott Bassent, the US Treasury Secretary, announced that in the next round of trade negotiations between Washington and Beijing, the issue of China purchasing oil from the sanctioned Islamic Republic of Iran and Russia will also be discussed, indicating that trade negotiations are expanding into security areas.
In an interview with CNBC, he said that unfortunately, China is one of the major buyers of oil from Iran and Russia, and this issue could be a focal point in future negotiations.
While the US and China have agreed to temporarily reduce tariffs until mid-August following recent tariff tensions, Bassent warned that Washington is prepared to impose secondary tariffs of up to one hundred percent against countries that purchase oil from Russia.
He also urged America’s European allies to follow suit if this policy is implemented.
These statements continue the White House’s pressure on Moscow. Donald Trump had previously given Vladimir Putin 50 days to reach an agreement to end the Ukraine war, otherwise facing severe sanctions.
