China has threatened the U.S. over new sanctions against Russia
China has stated that new U.S. sanctions against Russia could ultimately harm Washington itself. Beijing believes that the policy of exerting pressure on other countries will not yield the expected results, and that the consequences may backfire on those applying the pressure.
China has reacted to the possible tightening of U.S. sanctions against Russia. Beijing has stated that Washington risks facing the consequences of its own policies. According to Beijing, the new restrictions against Russia will not necessarily produce the results the U.S. is counting on. The Chinese side believes that attempts to force other countries to change their policies through sanctions and pressure may ultimately backfire on Washington itself. “The application of double standards, as well as the use of coercion and pressure, will ultimately backfire on those who resort to them,” Liu Chang said.
Beijing is effectively warning the U.S. that further intensification of economic pressure on Russia could have consequences not only for Moscow. The Chinese government has traditionally opposed unilateral sanctions and maintains that states should not use economic restrictions as a tool of pressure. However, the Chinese embassy representative did not specify what exactly these consequences for the U.S. might be or what specific measures Beijing might take in response.
The statement came amid discussions in the U.S. about new restrictions against Russia. Washington continues to view sanctions as one of the main tools of economic pressure on Moscow due to its war against Ukraine. At the same time, China maintains close economic ties with Russia. Beijing has not joined Western sanctions against Moscow and continues to trade with Russia.
Thus, the new statement from the Chinese side indicates that Beijing does not support the further expansion of U.S. sanctions and considers the policy of economic pressure to be misguided. At the same time, China has not yet announced any specific measures in response to possible new U.S. sanctions. This was stated by Liu Chang, a representative of the Chinese Embassy in Washington, according to the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.
Earlier, Zelenskyy thanked the U.S. Senate for approving harsh sanctions against Russia.
The U.S. Senate backed a sweeping bill imposing new sanctions against Russia and Iran. The bill passed with 68 votes in favor and nine against, and will now be considered by the U.S. House of Representatives.
