Why Trump may have to target China to make its Iran 'economic D-Day' work
The Trump administration's plan to impose economic sanctions on Iran may force a confrontation with China, which is the primary buyer of Iranian oil. Analysts suggest that effectively crippling Iran's economy would require secondary sanctions against Chinese entities, risking a trade war.
Why it matters
This highlights the complex geopolitical intersection of US-China trade relations and Middle East foreign policy.
The Donald Trump administration’s road to economically choke Iran will have to go through China - if it wants to cripple the Middle East country. However, with a fragile trade peace in place between the world’s two largest economies, it’s unclear whether the Trump administration would choose to take on China at all.One thing is clear: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s warning that the US could launch an “economic D-Day” against Iran could put Washington on a collision course with China, its biggest trading partner. But, Bessent’s statements have so far been evasive when it comes to action against Chinese companies for aiding Iran’s trade.Also Read | Trump’s ‘Operation Economic Outcast’ against Iran: What sanctions threat could mean for IndiaChina is the biggest buyer of Iranian crude - around 90% of Iran’s oil exports flow to China.
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