'Unilateral bullying and economic coercion': China draws red line on Russian oil, warns US of 'firm countermeasures'

Chinese President Xi Jinping - File Photo

China has warned the United States of “firm countermeasures” if Washington goes ahead with plans to impose unilateral sanctions on Beijing over its oil imports from Russia.

Beijing defended its energy trade as “legitimate and lawful,” accusing the US of “unilateral bullying and economic coercion” that threatens global supply chains and undermines international trade norms.

The warning came a day after US President Donald Trump claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him India would halt Russian oil purchases and urged China to take a similar step.

“Modi assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. That’s a big step. Now we’ve got to get China to do the same thing,” Trump told reporters in Washington on Wednesday.

The Ministry of External Affairs has categorically denied any telephonic conversation between Trump and PM Modi on Wednesday. "On the question of whether there was a conversation or a telephone call between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump, I am not aware of any conversation yesterday between the two leaders," MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

Responding to the remarks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Beijing maintains an “objective and fair stance” on the Ukraine conflict and that its policies are “open and above board.”

“We firmly oppose the US’ action of directing the issue at China, and we strongly oppose imposing illegal unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction on China,” Lin said during a press briefing in Beijing.

“If China’s legitimate rights and interests are harmed, we will take firm countermeasures to safeguard our sovereignty, development, and security interests,” he added.

China is currently the world’s largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels, followed by India. According to estimates from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), Beijing accounts for nearly 60 percent of Russia’s total energy exports.

The warning also comes amid rising frictions over China’s decision to restrict rare earth exports. These critical minerals are essential for electronics, renewable energy technologies, and defense manufacturing, sectors where China dominates both mining and processing.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent criticised Beijing’s move, accusing it of acting “against the rest of the world,” and said Washington would coordinate with its allies to respond. He also said the US Senate is ready to give Trump sweeping authority to impose tariffs of up to 500 per cent on Chinese imports.

China dismissed the criticism, arguing that its export controls comply with international norms and are designed to prevent the “military misuse” of strategic minerals.

Despite the escalating rhetoric, China’s Commerce Ministry spokesperson He Yongqian struck a conciliatory tone, saying Beijing remains open to resolving trade disputes with Washington through dialogue.