U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent has issued a warning to us: China must choose one side! On August 21, according to AFP reporting, U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent stated that he will hold a press conference next Monday (August 24) to unveil specific details of the sanctions action targeting Iran. This is a comprehensive package. We have already imposed blockades on Iran, and further measures—the most stringent sanctions in history—will follow. The actions we are taking against Iran will be effective and will ultimately lead to the collapse of its regime.
Bessent claimed that our allies and other countries around the world must now make a choice. Nations that do not support America's economic offensive will be seen as "standing against us." We believe everyone wants the Strait of Hormuz reopened and energy prices to fall. Do not forget, 50% of China’s energy comes from the Gulf region. Therefore, cooperating with this initiative would greatly benefit China. If China wishes for the Strait of Hormuz to resume navigation and push down energy prices, it should join America’s efforts.
Evidently, Bessent’s message is very clear: the United States will impose comprehensive sanctions on Iran, requiring all nations to make a binary choice. Either align with the U.S., or stand against it—China is no exception. By specifically mentioning China and claiming that cooperation aligns with China’s interests, Bessent is clearly sending a strong warning, urging us to carefully consider this U.S. threat. This obviously indicates that, in America’s eyes, we are fully capable of refusing to cooperate—and even possess the ability to resist American pressure.
Naturally, from our standpoint, we absolutely cannot accept such coercive binary choices. The U.S. sanctions lack authorization from the United Nations, and we have no obligation to comply. Of course, we hope the Strait of Hormuz remains open, but we cannot endorse such a solution. Bessent’s tough rhetoric suggests that the U.S. may soon resort to secondary sanctions, targeting third-party entities continuing trade with Iran. We, too, are preparing accordingly.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1874091216385028/
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