China Rejects US Tariff Threat Over Russian Oil as Legislation Advances

China has firmly rejected American efforts to influence nations purchasing Russian oil and gas, asserting that normal trade relations with other countries should not face interference or coercion from third parties. The diplomatic response follows the passage of the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 by the US House of Representatives.

The newly passed US legislation grants the American president the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on nations that continue purchasing Russian oil and natural gas, including major consumer countries such as China and India. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun addressed reporters during a briefing, stating that Beijing consistently opposes unilateral measures that lack international legal standing.

According to Guo, Beijing opposes long-arm jurisdiction that does not possess a foundation in international law or formal authorization from the United Nations Security Council. He emphasized that China's trade with international partners is founded on principles of equality and mutual benefit, noting that such cooperative economic ties neither target third parties nor should be subject to outside interference or coercion.

The legislative measure was approved by the US House of Representatives by a 262-159 vote following prior approval by the Senate. The bill now advances to US President Donald Trump for his signature. The framework is designed to ratchet up economic pressure on Russia in connection with its ongoing war in Ukraine.

The legislation creates a specific mechanism allowing the US president to levy tariffs of up to 100 percent against the five largest global importers of Russian crude oil or natural gas. Countries can potentially bypass the tariff provisions if they import less than 15 percent of Russia's natural gas exports and have implemented significant measures to scale down those purchases.

Given that China and India represent two of the largest purchasers of Russian crude, the proposed tariffs carry substantial weight and could significantly impact their broader commercial relations with the United States. Beijing has a documented history of opposing unilateral sanctions while maintaining ongoing economic ties with nations targeted by American penalties, including Iran.

China remains a major destination for Russian energy exports, with significant volumes transported via cross-border pipelines. Official data shared during the Chinese foreign ministry briefing indicated that China's imports of Russian oil and gas totaled approximately $64 billion during the previous year, while imports between January and August had already surpassed $70 billion, highlighting the considerable scale of energy trade that could be affected by prospective US measures.

Meanwhile, the government of India also responded to the legislative developments in Washington, confirming that it is closely monitoring the situation and preparing to take appropriate steps to safeguard its national trade and economic interests. The Ministry of External Affairs noted that New Delhi remains fully committed to ensuring energy security for its population through diversified sourcing and responsive market dynamics.

Indian officials stated that the potential implications of the legislation had been communicated to US interlocutors during high-level discussions in recent months, emphasizing the potential impact on both bilateral ties and the broader international energy market. The ministry confirmed that India will collaborate closely with domestic trade and industry organizations to navigate the unfolding economic landscape.