China has strongly condemned the United States’ decision to impose sweeping new tariffs on countries trading with Iran, warning that the move amounts to interference in other nations’ internal affairs and risks serious harm to the global economy.

China reacted sharply after Donald Trump announced that any country doing business with Iran would face a 25% tariff on all trade with the United States. Trump described the measure as “final and conclusive” in a social media post late Monday, without explaining its legal basis or how it would be enforced.

‘No winners in tariff and trade wars'

Responding on Tuesday, China said it firmly opposes “any illicit unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction.”

A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said indiscriminate tariffs undermine international norms and damage economic stability.

Also Read: Trump threatens 25% tariff on countries trading with Iran

“There are no winners in tariff wars and trade wars, and coercion and pressure cannot solve problems,” the ministry said, adding that such measures harm the global economy.

Vows to protect national interests

Echoing the government’s stance, Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, said Beijing’s opposition to tariffs is “consistent and clear.” He warned that China would take “all necessary measures” to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.

In statements posted on X and shared with international media, the embassy described the US move as “coercion” and “pressure,” stressing that trade should not be used as a political weapon.

Chinese officials said normal trade cooperation between sovereign countries should be respected, and that economic ties must remain free from political pressure. They reaffirmed that China will continue lawful trade relations with other countries, including Iran, within the framework of international law.

Beijing also called on Washington to lift what it described as illegal sanctions and instead pursue negotiations and multilateral cooperation.

China, India, others to be hit hardest

While Trump’s order is global, analysts say it would hit China and India particularly hard due to their significant energy and commercial ties with Iran. Other countries potentially affected include Turkiye, the United Arab Emirates and the European Union, all of which maintain varying levels of trade with Tehran.

China is one of the largest buyers of Iranian oil, making it especially vulnerable to any US effort to penalize countries maintaining economic links with Iran.

Also Read: Trump threatens Iran with tariffs, keeps military options open

According to a Bloomberg report, Beijing views the new US tariffs as contrary to existing trade agreements between China and the United States. Chinese officials argue that unilateral tariff action undermines the spirit of negotiated trade frameworks.

Dialogue over pressure

China stressed that many global challenges cannot be resolved through economic coercion. Officials said the United States should abandon pressure tactics and return to dialogue, negotiations and multilateral cooperation as the only viable path forward.

The strong response underscores growing friction between Washington and Beijing as US policy toward Iran increasingly intersects with broader global trade and geopolitical rivalries.