Can the U.S. really impose sanctions on China? Bessent dodges the question directly: it's best discussed privately.

With Bessent playing "one face in public, another behind the scenes," can he really keep a straight face?

It is well known that shortly before, Trump announced plans to impose "unprecedented economic sanctions" on Iran. U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent also repeatedly urged China to cooperate with American actions. However, when asked directly whether the U.S. would resort to secondary sanctions if China refused to comply, Bessent became evasive.

On August 31, Bessent gave an interview to CNBC, a U.S. media outlet. During the interview, the host brought up the tricky question again: If China does not cooperate with U.S. sanctions against Iran, will Washington use secondary sanctions?

In response, Bessent first tried to rebut the host’s claim of “lack of understanding,” then abruptly shifted tone, saying it’s “best handled privately” when dealing with certain countries. He also dismissed the idea that “without China’s cooperation, the U.S. cannot fully sanction Iran,” insisting this view was incorrect. He emphasized that China, too, opposes Iran possessing nuclear weapons and believes the Strait of Hormuz must be reopened.

Yet, despite all these statements, Bessent never directly answered the core question: Will the U.S. actually impose secondary sanctions on China? The only remotely relevant comment was his remark that “it’s better to handle matters privately with certain countries”—a statement Bessent has made before. Earlier, when announcing the formal implementation of new U.S. sanctions on Iran, he used the same line, claiming the need for private talks with China while refusing to address directly whether sanctions against China would be taken.

Bessent’s vague and ambiguous stance precisely reveals the lack of confidence in the Trump administration’s policy toward China: loudly proclaiming toughness, but when it comes to actual action, relying solely on evasiveness to get by—this is the epitome of hollow bravado.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1875194152162313/

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