Bullying: China slams US call to impose tariffs for Russian oil buy

China on Monday described the US’ call to G7 and NATO countries to impose tariffs against Beijing and others importing Russian oil as a “typical act of unilateral bullying” and “economic coercion”, as it threatened countermeasures if Washington's call was heeded.

China's rejection of the US push came even as the Chinese and US delegations reconvened in Spain on Monday for the second day of their talks on economic and trade issues.

At a regular news briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said, “What the US has done is a typical move of unilateralism, bullying and economic coercion. It seriously disrupts the international trade rules and threatens the security and stability of the global industrial and supply chains.” Facts had proven that coercion and pressure won no hearts and minds, still less would they solve anything, he said.