China Pledges Deeper Support for Russia Amid US Tariff Threats

Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged to deepen support and strengthen strategic ties with Russia amid U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to impose severe tariffs on Moscow's trading partners if a Ukraine peace deal is not reached. Following meetings with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Xi emphasized the deepened mutual trust and the model their partnership sets for a new type of international relations, also highlighting the importance of mutual support on multilateral forums. China's position, despite claims of neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, includes economic and defense support to Russia, such as supplying dual-use components for Russian weapons, which helps Moscow circumvent Western sanctions. Trump has expressed frustration with Russia's continued missile attacks in Ukraine and warned of 100% tariffs on Russia's main trading partners, including China, raising tensions between the U.S. and China. China opposed the U.S. unilateral sanctions, with its foreign minister reportedly stating that Beijing will not allow Moscow to lose the war, fearing a shift of U.S. focus onto China. The strategic partnership is further underscored by planned visits and cooperation events, including Russia’s President Putin attending upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization meetings in China.