China urged by US to cut Russian oil purchases to weaken Moscow in Ukraine — WSJ
Scott Bessent (Photo: Getty Images)
The US intends to ask China to reduce its purchases of Russian oil and instead buy more from the US. Such an agreement could weaken Russia’s position in the war against Ukraine, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The WSJ reports that ahead of US President Donald Trump’s visit to China, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is already considering issues to include on the agenda.
One of the topics may be reducing purchases of Russian oil. According to sources, Bessent has already discussed efforts to persuade China to buy US oil and gas products instead.
The Wall Street Journal also specifies that the minister is considering raising the issue of energy during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Vice Premier He Lifeng, which is expected to take place in Paris in mid-March.
At this meeting, they plan to agree on the framework for a summit between Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, currently scheduled for early April.
Reducing purchases of Russian oil would become a serious challenge for China, which receives oil from Russia at a significant discount.
“American oil would be much more expensive, and shutting out Russian crude would undermine Beijing’s relationship with the Kremlin and undercut Moscow’s position in the Ukraine war,” the media emphasized.
In addition, Bessent is also considering asking China to reduce purchases of Iranian oil.
The WSJ explained that although most Iranian oil shipments have been halted after US and Israeli strikes, Washington wants Beijing to reduce its long-term dependence on Iranian oil if supplies resume.
What else is known
It is expected that Xi Jinping will raise an important demand during his meeting with Trump. Potentially, he may pressure the US leader to take a more active US position regarding Taiwan’s independence. In other words, China may seek to undermine trust in the self-governing democracy, which it considers part of its territory.
Sources added that Bessent also said in private meetings that Washington is seeking expanded Chinese purchases of American soybeans and Boeing aircraft.
Another easing measure the US is seeking is a reduction in Beijing’s export controls on rare-earth elements, which are used to manufacture a wide range of electronic devices.
China could stop the war in Ukraine
Several weeks ago, US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said that China plays a crucial role in supporting Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. According to him, Beijing could end the war with just one phone call to Moscow.
Recently, the head of MI6, Richard Moore, said that China has provided Russia with the most significant support in its war against Ukraine. He emphasized that the continuation of the war is largely due to Chinese assistance, which is still being delivered.
