‘Trade Ties Must Be Free From Coercion’: China Opposes US’ Russia Sanctions Bill

Last Updated:September 17, 2026, 3:17 pm IST

The US House of Representatives on Wednesday passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, aiming to impose tougher sanctions on Moscow and Tehran

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping (Reuters File)

China on Thursday opposed the United States Congress’ legislation imposing tougher sanctions on Iran and Russia, asserting that economic and trade cooperation between Beijing and other countries shall be “free from disruption and coercion” from any third party.

The US House of Representatives on Wednesday passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, aiming to impose tougher sanctions on countries that purchase oil and gas from Moscow.

India and China are among the largest buyers of Russian crude oil.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that Beijing opposes “long-arm jurisdiction and unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law and lack UN Security Council mandate.”

“Economic and trade cooperation between China and other countries does not target any third party and shall be free from disruption or coercion from any third party”, it said.

India’s Response To US Legislation

India’s Ministry of External Affairs said Thursday that it was monitoring developments related to the US Congress’ legislation imposing tougher sanction on Iran and Russia.

The MEA affirmed that any decision regarding the country’s energy purchase would solely be based on the interests of 1.4 billion citizens.

“The Government of India has noted the passage of the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act in the US Congress. We are monitoring further developments on this matter,” the statement read.

Reiterating its long-standing position on energy purchases, the MEA said: ““As stated on several earlier occasions, India remains firmly committed to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people. It will continue to do so through diversified sourcing and on the basis of evolving market dynamics”.

The legislation, which was previously cleared by the Senate, is now headed to President Donald Trump’s desk for final approval. The bill grants the US President the authority to impose tariffs as high as 100% on countries purchasing Russian oil.

The move is a part of Washington’s efforts to bring Moscow to the negotiating table as the war with Ukraine drags on. On Iran, the US is intensifying its financial crackdown on Tehran under a campaign dubbed ‘Operation Economic Outcast.’

Read More