Yesterday, US President Donald Trump announced that the US would immediately impose punitive tariffs on countries that trade with Iran. China, as a major oil buyer, is Iran's largest trading partner.
Zhou Mi, a senior researcher at a think tank linked to China's Ministry of Commerce, notes that the United States has previously justified tariffs in its trade war with China by saying that large trade deficits are a national security threat.
But now, what connection does trade between Iran and other countries have to US security? Zhou Mi says, according to Bloomberg.
US actions could push China straight into Russia's arms.
What is important for China is oil, and unfortunately China can now start importing more energy from Russia instead, says SEB economist Robert Bergqvist to Sveriges Radio.
Trump's announcement of punitive tariffs against Iran's trading partners comes as he is reportedly considering how the United States can punish Iran after government-critical demonstrations were violently suppressed.
Airstrikes would be one of many options being considered, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday.
