China Criticizes New U.S. Sanctions Law Targeting Iran and Russia

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, China has criticized a new United States law that intensifies sanctions against Russia and expands trade measures concerning Iran, which was signed into effect late Friday by U.S. President Donald Trump. A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Commerce stated that Beijing has consistently opposed unilateral sanctions and what it terms “secondary sanctions.” Bloomberg reported that the Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced Beijing “has always been against” unilateral and secondary sanctions that have not been approved by the United Nations Security Council and lack an international legal basis. China also warned that it will monitor Washington’s subsequent actions and reserves “the right to adopt all necessary measures” to protect its own interests and those of Chinese companies. This statement was issued just days before Trump’s meeting with Xi Jinping in Washington. Prior to this summit, U.S. and Chinese officials will engage in discussions regarding trade issues and other points of contention.