China says 'trade wars have no winners' after Trump's sanctions threat on buyers of Russian exports

BEIJING: China said on Tuesday (July 15) that there are no winners in a trade war after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to hit buyers of Russian exports with sanctions unless Russia agrees to a peace deal in 50 days.

AI Brief

China calls for diplomacy and rejects coercion in resolving the Ukraine war.
The Kremlin remains silent but notes ongoing US arms support to Ukraine.
Trump says he's not done with Putin and sees potential for a peace deal.

"There are no winners in trade wars, and coercion and pressure will not solve the problem either. We hope all parties will work to foster an environment and build the conditions necessary for a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, and do more to encourage peace and promote talks," ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a regular press briefing.

The Kremlin has so far not commented on Trump's remarks but said on Monday (July 14) it was clear that the United States had continued to supply weapons and ammunition to Ukraine.

China and India are the biggest buyers of Russian crude. Trump told the BBC that he was "not done" with Putin and that he thought a Ukraine peace deal was on the cards.