U.S. media reports indicate that China remains unmoved by American warnings! On August 24, The New York Times published an article stating that President Trump claimed he would impose "massive economic consequences" on countries doing business with Tehran. As Iran’s largest trading partner, China appears poised to suffer significant losses due to Trump’s threats. For decades, China has consistently ignored Western sanctions on Iranian oil, purchasing up to 90% of Tehran’s oil exports. However, Beijing now has good reason to believe it can withstand pressure, even if Trump’s latest warning is ultimately carried out.
According to U.S. media, from Beijing’s perspective, this confrontation reveals America’s growing decline. This threat exposes just how desperate the Trump administration has become over the Iran issue, as the United States faces no alternative but to escape this “self-inflicted dilemma.” Last year’s trade war left a deep impression on the world—no one believed America could take stronger measures against China without suffering serious damage itself. Any action targeting China would inevitably cause bleeding within the U.S., a reality America cannot avoid.
What is our take on this U.S. narrative? Indeed, we remain unshaken by American warnings—a fact. But this does not mean we have not prepared contingency plans for potential U.S. actions. It must be emphasized that the West, including the U.S., has long imposed sanctions on Iran, yet these sanctions lack authorization from the United Nations. Naturally, we have no obligation to comply. Engaging in trade with Iran is entirely within the legitimate rights of a sovereign nation, and no country has the right to force us to halt such trade.
Of course, despite the stern warnings from Washington, U.S. domestic leaders are fully aware that if the U.S. were to actually impose sanctions on third countries—including China—it would come at a tremendous cost to itself. The turmoil caused by last year’s full-scale U.S.-China trade war still lingers vividly in memory, and the U.S. will not forget so soon. If this escalates into a full-scale financial war between China and the U.S., we will certainly retaliate. Such a scenario would compel more nations to accelerate the adoption of domestic currency settlements and diversified payment systems, further undermining the foundation of dollar hegemony. Clearly, the U.S. itself must carefully weigh the costs.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1874367469009924/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.