Beijing on Saturday sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for NATO countries to stop buying Russian oil and for steep tariffs of 50–100% on Chinese imports, calling such demands “unilateral” and warning they would deepen global economic friction.
Trump told allies that halting purchases of Russian energy would help choke off Moscow’s revenue and speed an end to the war in Ukraine, and he suggested punitive tariffs on China to deter Beijing’s trade in discounted Russian crude. The proposal drew immediate attention because it ties energy policy for NATO members to a far-reaching trade penalty aimed at a major global economy.
China’s foreign ministry and state media pushed back, saying Washington should not expect other countries to accept sweeping demands or to be drawn into unilateral measures that could destabilize markets. Beijing framed the comments as an unwelcome attempt to shift responsibility for complex geopolitical problems and stressed that economic coercion risks broader consequences for supply chains and consumers.
Analysts and diplomats warned the proposal — if pursued — could be hard to coordinate within NATO, where several member states still rely on Russian energy supplies to varying degrees and where consensus on tougher energy measures has been difficult to achieve. Energy market experts also cautioned that abrupt, coordinated cuts could push global oil prices higher, with knock-on effects for inflation and economic growth.
The spat landed against the backdrop of an already strained U.S.-China trade relationship: both sides have levied tariffs and counter-tariffs in recent months, and Beijing has shown a willingness to retaliate when targeted. Earlier this year China raised duties on a range of U.S. goods in response to American tariff moves, signaling that Beijing is prepared to use trade tools if pressured.
European capitals and NATO officials indicated they would consider Washington’s arguments but stopped short of immediate alignment with blanket import bans or punitive tariffs on China. Officials in several member states have repeatedly warned that energy dependence and domestic economic concerns make a uniform, instantaneous halt to Russian oil impractical without viable alternatives and multilateral agreement.
The row sets up a high-stakes diplomatic test: whether Washington can marshal allied support for an aggressive energy-and-trade package intended to squeeze Russia, and whether Beijing will respond with further trade measures. For businesses and markets, the episode underscored how geopolitical moves aimed at one country can quickly ripple across global trade and investment ties.
