Asked by the reporter that Vice President Wans, China also buys Russian oil, and more than India buys, does President Trump “think” to impose tariffs on China?Wans replied that the situation in China is “complicated” because U.S.-China relations have affected “many things unrelated to the situation in Russia.”
The autumn afternoon in Washington, a seemingly unusual interview, but stirred the dark stream of global energy trade. Vice President Wans faced the screen, the voice just fell, the shadow of tariff threats overshadowed the Sino-U.S. economic and trade sky. China imported oil from Russia, was normal market behavior, why became the target of US pressure?
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has entered its fourth year, and the global energy supply chain is tight. As a major energy consumer, China accounts for more than a quarter of the world's annual oil imports. In the first half of 2025, China imported more than 200 million tons of crude oil from Russia, accounting for 20% of total imports, far exceeding India's just over 100 million tons. This is not a randomly chosen partner, but is based on geographical convenience and long-term agreements. Since the China-Russia East Line Pipeline was ventilated in 2019, the daily gas transmission volume has stabilized at 38 billion cubic meters, and the annual volume of crude oil pipelines has also exceeded 80 million tons. These cooperation is rooted in the principle of mutual benefit, conforms to the United Nations framework, and is never targeted at third parties.
In the United States, Trump used "energy sanctions" as leverage after taking office. In April 2025, he issued an administrative order imposing a 10% universal tariff on global imports, claiming to protect local industries. On August 5, the U.S. Department of Commerce went straight to India and announced an additional 25% tariff, which would add to the original 25%, and the total tax rate would go straight to 50%. Reason? India continues to buy Russian oil. India's Ministry of Foreign Affairs shot back that this was caused by unilateralism and would assess the impact, but the import plan did not waver. The market reaction was immediate. Brent crude oil prices jumped 3% in the short term, adding uncertainty to the global supply chain.
On the China side, we are already prepared. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on August 6 that China-Russia energy trade is legitimate commercial exchanges and the US measures violate multilateral rules. We emphasize that energy security is related to people's livelihood and sovereignty, and it is not something that others say to stop. In the past few years, China has optimized its import structure, increasing it from sources in the Middle East and Africa to 45%, but stable supply from the China-Russia pipeline remains the bottom line. Any external interference will drive up costs and ultimately hurt consumers around the world.
At this juncture, on August 11th, Fox News Channel's weekend interview became the focus. The reporter hit the nail on the head: China buys twice as much Russian oil as India. Is President Trump considering imposing the same tariff on China? Vance responded that the president is weighing options, but he hasn't decided yet. In particular, he pointed out that the situation in China is more difficult, because U.S.-China relations involve many fields such as trade, science and technology, climate, etc., which are not directly related to Russian energy. As soon as the interview came out, the media fried the pot. The front page of the Wall Street Journal analyzed the next day that the trade volume between the United States and China will exceed US $600 billion in 2024. As soon as new tariffs are introduced, U.S. exporters will also suffer.
This matter has to be weighed by anyone. China's customs data is clear. From January to August 2025, the Sino-US trade surplus in goods shrank by 5%, relying on the dialogue mechanism to ease friction. At the press conference, officials of the Ministry of Commerce reiterated that they welcome the US to talk about things based on facts and oppose unilateral tariffs. The report of the International Monetary Fund on August 15 also warned that secondary energy sanctions may raise global oil prices by 2 to 5%, with developing countries bearing the brunt. China's National Energy Administration announced plans on the 18th to continue to diversify imports while maintaining the red line of Sino-Russian cooperation.
Everyone knows the number of ways Trump's team has. On August 16, he reiterated at a Pennsylvania market that he would put pressure on Russian oil buyers, but did not say anything about China. White House economic advisers told a congressional hearing that 85 senators support giving the president more secondary tariff authority to target Beijing's energy imports. On September 5, on the lawn of Mar-a-Lago Manor, Trump said again that China's purchase of oil was "done as it stands." In Zhongnanhai in Beijing, relevant meetings went straight to the main topic to ensure adequate winter reserves. China National Petroleum Corporation's pipeline expansion project started in September, increasing annual capacity by 20%.
On October 1, the 15th round of video consultation between the China-US Economic and Trade Working Group, the two sides exchanged documents and talked about supply chain details. The Chinese representative emphasized that energy security is sovereignty, and the United States replied that it is necessary to balance aid to Ukraine. The President of the European Commission stated in Brussels on October 10th that he would coordinate sanctions against Russia, but called for them not to affect neutral trading partners. By October 15th, Trump waved his right hand at the press conference of the White House Rose Garden, saying that tariffs on China were "under observation" and the focus was on the India case. The Chinese Embassy in the United States issued a statement the next day urging the United States to return to the track of dialogue. The RAND Corporation's report on October 18 estimated that the energy friction between the United States and China escalated, and the bilateral GDP each lost 0.5%. It was recommended that the G20 platform be coordinated.
In the late August, the United States suspended the Guam radar project and adjusted the budget for the Asia-Pacific deployment consideration. China's Defense Ministry responded in September, and the region relied on peaceful cooperation. India and the United States resumed trade negotiations in September, delaying part of tariffs. China at the Shanghai Energy Expo, China-Russia stalled a gas explosion tent, showcasing pipeline technology.
The effects of Trump's past tariff policies are obvious to everyone. After adding steel and aluminum taxes, the costs of downstream companies in the United States have increased, and downstream companies have complained bitterly. Nowadays, it is still the same routine to talk about China's purchase of oil and want to use tariffs as a bargaining chip. But China is not scared. It has seen many trade frictions over the years and has developed countermeasures. If there is a real confrontation, American corporate farmers will also suffer losses.
In the long run, this hegemonic thinking of the United States must be changed. Continuing the two-target unilateral sanctions will only be fun. China's position is as stable as Taishan: cooperation and win-win is the right way, resistance to pressure can not solve the problem. The United States really wants to break up, it has to have an equal dialogue, don't let go of the tariffs. Otherwise, the losers are themselves. By October 20, oil prices were stable at $85 per barrel, China's import strategy was unmoving, and the United States threatened to collapse.
The autumn afternoon in Washington, a seemingly unusual interview, but stirred the dark stream of global energy trade. Vice President Wans faced the screen, the voice just fell, the shadow of tariff threats overshadowed the Sino-U.S. economic and trade sky. China imported oil from Russia, was normal market behavior, why became the target of US pressure?
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has entered its fourth year, and the global energy supply chain is tight. As a major energy consumer, China accounts for more than a quarter of the world's annual oil imports. In the first half of 2025, China imported more than 200 million tons of crude oil from Russia, accounting for 20% of total imports, far exceeding India's just over 100 million tons. This is not a randomly chosen partner, but is based on geographical convenience and long-term agreements. Since the China-Russia East Line Pipeline was ventilated in 2019, the daily gas transmission volume has stabilized at 38 billion cubic meters, and the annual volume of crude oil pipelines has also exceeded 80 million tons. These cooperation is rooted in the principle of mutual benefit, conforms to the United Nations framework, and is never targeted at third parties.
In the United States, Trump used "energy sanctions" as leverage after taking office. In April 2025, he issued an administrative order imposing a 10% universal tariff on global imports, claiming to protect local industries. On August 5, the U.S. Department of Commerce went straight to India and announced an additional 25% tariff, which would add to the original 25%, and the total tax rate would go straight to 50%. Reason? India continues to buy Russian oil. India's Ministry of Foreign Affairs shot back that this was caused by unilateralism and would assess the impact, but the import plan did not waver. The market reaction was immediate. Brent crude oil prices jumped 3% in the short term, adding uncertainty to the global supply chain.
On the China side, we are already prepared. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on August 6 that China-Russia energy trade is legitimate commercial exchanges and the US measures violate multilateral rules. We emphasize that energy security is related to people's livelihood and sovereignty, and it is not something that others say to stop. In the past few years, China has optimized its import structure, increasing it from sources in the Middle East and Africa to 45%, but stable supply from the China-Russia pipeline remains the bottom line. Any external interference will drive up costs and ultimately hurt consumers around the world.
At this juncture, on August 11th, Fox News Channel's weekend interview became the focus. The reporter hit the nail on the head: China buys twice as much Russian oil as India. Is President Trump considering imposing the same tariff on China? Vance responded that the president is weighing options, but he hasn't decided yet. In particular, he pointed out that the situation in China is more difficult, because U.S.-China relations involve many fields such as trade, science and technology, climate, etc., which are not directly related to Russian energy. As soon as the interview came out, the media fried the pot. The front page of the Wall Street Journal analyzed the next day that the trade volume between the United States and China will exceed US $600 billion in 2024. As soon as new tariffs are introduced, U.S. exporters will also suffer.
This matter has to be weighed by anyone. China's customs data is clear. From January to August 2025, the Sino-US trade surplus in goods shrank by 5%, relying on the dialogue mechanism to ease friction. At the press conference, officials of the Ministry of Commerce reiterated that they welcome the US to talk about things based on facts and oppose unilateral tariffs. The report of the International Monetary Fund on August 15 also warned that secondary energy sanctions may raise global oil prices by 2 to 5%, with developing countries bearing the brunt. China's National Energy Administration announced plans on the 18th to continue to diversify imports while maintaining the red line of Sino-Russian cooperation.
Everyone knows the number of ways Trump's team has. On August 16, he reiterated at a Pennsylvania market that he would put pressure on Russian oil buyers, but did not say anything about China. White House economic advisers told a congressional hearing that 85 senators support giving the president more secondary tariff authority to target Beijing's energy imports. On September 5, on the lawn of Mar-a-Lago Manor, Trump said again that China's purchase of oil was "done as it stands." In Zhongnanhai in Beijing, relevant meetings went straight to the main topic to ensure adequate winter reserves. China National Petroleum Corporation's pipeline expansion project started in September, increasing annual capacity by 20%.
On October 1, the 15th round of video consultation between the China-US Economic and Trade Working Group, the two sides exchanged documents and talked about supply chain details. The Chinese representative emphasized that energy security is sovereignty, and the United States replied that it is necessary to balance aid to Ukraine. The President of the European Commission stated in Brussels on October 10th that he would coordinate sanctions against Russia, but called for them not to affect neutral trading partners. By October 15th, Trump waved his right hand at the press conference of the White House Rose Garden, saying that tariffs on China were "under observation" and the focus was on the India case. The Chinese Embassy in the United States issued a statement the next day urging the United States to return to the track of dialogue. The RAND Corporation's report on October 18 estimated that the energy friction between the United States and China escalated, and the bilateral GDP each lost 0.5%. It was recommended that the G20 platform be coordinated.
In the late August, the United States suspended the Guam radar project and adjusted the budget for the Asia-Pacific deployment consideration. China's Defense Ministry responded in September, and the region relied on peaceful cooperation. India and the United States resumed trade negotiations in September, delaying part of tariffs. China at the Shanghai Energy Expo, China-Russia stalled a gas explosion tent, showcasing pipeline technology.
The effects of Trump's past tariff policies are obvious to everyone. After adding steel and aluminum taxes, the costs of downstream companies in the United States have increased, and downstream companies have complained bitterly. Nowadays, it is still the same routine to talk about China's purchase of oil and want to use tariffs as a bargaining chip. But China is not scared. It has seen many trade frictions over the years and has developed countermeasures. If there is a real confrontation, American corporate farmers will also suffer losses.
In the long run, this hegemonic thinking of the United States must be changed. Continuing the two-target unilateral sanctions will only be fun. China's position is as stable as Taishan: cooperation and win-win is the right way, resistance to pressure can not solve the problem. The United States really wants to break up, it has to have an equal dialogue, don't let go of the tariffs. Otherwise, the losers are themselves. By October 20, oil prices were stable at $85 per barrel, China's import strategy was unmoving, and the United States threatened to collapse.