China Rejects Trump's Economic Pressure Campaign Against Iran

August 21, 2026 | 12:10 am

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - China on Thursday rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's “Economic D-Day” pressure campaign against Iran, stressing that the conflict should be resolved through diplomatic and political means.

“Imposing sanctions and pressure does not help solve the issue,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters in Beijing, as quoted by Anadolu.

“China calls on relevant parties to take responsible measures and resolve the issues through diplomatic and political means,” Lin said.

Anadolu also reported that U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced what he described as “the most crushing economic operation ever taken against any country,” escalating his campaign to isolate Iran and warning countries and companies that assist Tehran that they would face severe economic consequences.

Trump said the United States would seek to cut off the financial and commercial channels providing economic support to Iran.

“Today, I am also announcing that any country that allows its financial institutions, businesses, airports, or government entities to provide any type of lifeline to Iran will itself face tremendous economic consequences,” Trump said.

China is one of the largest importers of Iranian oil, potentially placing its economic ties with Tehran under scrutiny as Washington expands its pressure campaign.

Trump specifically cited oil smuggling, financial swap lines, cash transfers, foreign exchange houses, ship registries and front companies as activities that must be stopped.

“It all needs to stop now,” he said.

Conflict and Economic Pressure

The latest U.S. measures come amid an ongoing conflict between Washington and Tehran.

In February, the United States and Israel launched a war against Iran that killed thousands of people. Tehran subsequently retaliated by attacking U.S. military bases and assets across the Middle East.

Iran has since closed the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global shipping route, while the U.S. military has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports.

Although the two sides have reached an agreement to end the war, retaliatory strikes have continued periodically.

Against this backdrop, Beijing has urged the parties involved to prioritize diplomacy rather than sanctions and economic pressure.

China's position also comes as Washington seeks to tighten restrictions on the financial and commercial networks supporting Iran, potentially putting pressure on countries and companies that maintain economic ties with Tehran.

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