In a sharp rebuke of US foreign policy, China has condemned Washington’s latest legislative move targeting Russia’s trading partners with steep tariffs, branding the proposed sanctions as “illegal unilateral measures” and a dangerous extension of American jurisdiction across international borders. The reaction from Beijing follows a controversial bill floated in the US Senate that would grant President Donald Trump the authority to impose secondary tariffs of up to 500% on countries that continue commerce with Moscow, with China, India, and Brazil specifically named.

The legislation, proposed by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, has stirred global concern for its sweeping scope and potentially severe economic consequences. Framing the bill as a strategic tool to coerce global compliance with US sanctions on Russia, Graham described the measure as a “sledgehammer” that would give Trump the power to exert maximum pressure on nations defying Western efforts to isolate the Kremlin over its ongoing war in Ukraine.

Beijing has responded with unmistakable displeasure. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters on July 15 that China “firmly opposes any illegal unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction,” referring to the extraterritorial application of American laws. Lin warned that such actions not only violate international law but also risk igniting a global trade confrontation. “There are no winners in a tariff war,” he stated, adding that “dialogue and negotiation are the only viable way” to achieve peace in Ukraine.

China’s strong response underscores the growing fault lines between Washington and Beijing, particularly regarding........

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