US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that China can continue to purchase oil from Iran after the US bombed the OPEC member’s nuclear facilities, and added that he hoped China would also buy “plenty” from the United States.
“China can now continue to purchase oil from Iran. Hopefully, they will be purchasing plenty from the US, also,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
Trump’s post followed his announcement of a ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel after the US bombing over the weekend of three Iranian nuclear sites. He has publicly rebuked both countries for early violations of the truce.
Earlier in his second term, which began in January, Trump said he was re-imposing “maximum pressure” on Iran over its nuclear program and support for militant groups in the Middle East. His administration imposed a series of Iran-related sanctions, including measures targeting several of China’s independent “teapot” refineries and port terminal operators for purchasing Iranian oil.
The actual lifting of sanctions on Iranian oil would require action by the Treasury and State Departments, as well as Congress. However, the administration could opt not to enforce existing sanctions, potentially allowing more Iranian oil to flow into global markets.
China, the world’s largest buyer of Iranian oil, has consistently opposed what it calls Washington’s “abuse of illegal unilateral sanctions.” The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Trump’s statement.
Any significant increase in Iranian oil purchases by China or other nations could frustrate Saudi Arabia, a key US ally and the world’s top oil exporter.
The US State Department referred Reuters’ request for comment to the White House, which has yet to respond.
