Trump Threatens Tariffs on Nations Trading with Iran; China Condemns Move

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has stated he would impose "powerful sanctions" on any country that does business with Iran if he wins the November election. He specifically threatened to use tariffs, which are taxes on imports, as his primary tool. China has strongly criticized the threat. A spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry called the statement "a typical example of unilateral bullying." China emphasized its right to maintain normal trade and economic relations with Iran, which it says are legal under international law. Trump made the comments in a recent interview, arguing that current U.S. sanctions on Iran are insufficient. He vowed to apply extreme economic pressure to restrict Iran's ability to fund its military activities and allies in the Middle East. The threat highlights potential global trade tensions if Trump returns to office. China is a major buyer of Iranian oil and a key trade partner for Iran. Analysts note that such tariffs could disrupt global energy markets and strain diplomatic relations.