【By Observer Net, Qi Qian】

Ironically, under U.S. pressure, the EU has begun discussing "secondary sanctions" against China and other Russian energy buyers.

Even more ironically, several EU member states, including France and Belgium, have continued to purchase Russian energy so far.

On September 8, the Financial Times cited reports that EU officials are discussing sanctions against China and other countries that purchase Russian oil and natural gas. Currently, the Trump administration is increasing pressure on the EU to follow the U.S. in implementing so-called "secondary sanctions".

On April 2014, Putin signed the "Siberian Power" pipeline. RIA Novosti

According to three people who are aware of the initial negotiations, EU officials and diplomats began negotiating the content of the new sanctions plan on the local day of July, and the possibility of imposing "secondary sanctions" on Chinese and other Russian energy buyers was mentioned in many discussions.

The report said that a delegation of EU officials is planned to go to Washington on the 8th to discuss with U.S. Treasury officials about sanctions against Russia.

President Trump also expressed an open attitude towards this. On the local day of July, Trump said he was not very satisfied with Russia and added, "Some European leaders will come to our country on Monday or Tuesday... I think we will solve this issue." When asked when he would speak again with Russian President Putin, he replied, "Soon, within the next few days... We will resolve the Ukraine-Russia issue."

One of the informed sources said that the EU's proposal for "secondary sanctions" is still in the "very early stage", and it is unlikely to be adopted unless the United States also takes action against China's energy imports. Two other people who are aware of the preliminary negotiations said that any progress on the EU's "secondary sanctions" would require full support and coordination from the United States.

According to the report, the U.S. Energy Secretary Wright is expected to visit Brussels on the 11th to meet with EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen.

Wright told the Financial Times on the 8th that if the EU wants the U.S. to impose more sanctions on Moscow, the EU needs to stop purchasing Russian oil and natural gas. Jørgensen stated that the EU will stick to its plan to gradually phase out Russian fossil fuels by 2027.

LNG carrier, photo

Trump had previously threatened to impose sanctions on Russia and impose so-called "secondary sanctions" on countries continuing to purchase Russian oil. Currently, the U.S. has imposed a tariff of up to 50% on India for purchasing Russian oil. At the end of the August 15 U.S.-Russia Alaska summit, Trump said he currently did not need to consider retaliatory tariffs on Chinese and other Russian oil buyers immediately.

Recently, Trump has increased pressure on Europe to completely eliminate its dependence on Russian energy. However, Hungary and Slovakia remain highly dependent on Russian gas and oil imports. France, Belgium, Spain, and the Netherlands are also Russian gas buyers. Among them, France, due to its extensive port infrastructure, has become the main entry point for Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) into Europe.

Previously, it was reported that the EU plans to completely ban Russian gas by 2027, a policy opposed by France and Belgium. France and Belgium called on the EU to have more guarantees regarding the economic and legal consequences of this move before making a decision.

According to data tracking agency Kpler, last year, these four countries - France, Belgium, Spain, and the Netherlands - imported 16.77 million tons of Russian LNG, accounting for 97% of the EU's total import volume, and over half of Russia's global exports.

The Financial Times mentioned that the EU previously took action against two small Chinese banks, which were considered as testing the legal framework for expanding restrictions on China. However, in the EU, "secondary sanctions" are controversial and require the support of all 27 member states.

The report said that the EU is unwilling to take similar "secondary sanctions" measures against India, as it conflicts with its efforts to deepen trade relations with India. The EU is also hesitant to sanction China, fearing retaliation from China, and China is the EU's second-largest trading partner after the United States.

Additionally, history has shown that U.S. and Western sanctions do not affect China's energy strategy.

In August, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning addressed questions related to the U.S. "secondary sanctions" and pointed out that China has always firmly opposed illegal unilateral sanctions lacking international law basis and authorization from the UN Security Council. We urge the U.S. to abandon the wrong practice of resorting to sanctions at will. Normal cooperation between countries and Iran within the framework of international law is legitimate and reasonable. China will take necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises and citizens.

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