China criticises US sanctions bill targeting Russia trade
Beijing states new US measures lack legal basis and violate international law.
AI-assisted coverage comparison, editor-supervised · How this was made

Китай жестко ответил на санкции против России
Photograph: rbc.ua (embedded from source)
What this story says
- The US Congress has passed a bill allowing President Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries buying Russian energy or aiding Russia in evading sanctions.
- China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated the sanctions lack legal basis and violate international law, asserting that economic cooperation should not be disrupted by third parties.
- The bill also includes sanctions against Russian officials, banks, and the shadow fleet, and extends existing sanctions against Iran.
- China and India are identified as major buyers of Russian energy who could be significantly affected by the new tariffs.
Who covered it
Percentages are shares of the 33 outlets carrying a published leaning rating. 33 of the 66 outlets we know ran this story carry no rating and are not counted in them. Coverage measured .
Trust
50/100
Craft
60/100
Hype
40/100
66 sources · methodology
Missing from the left
Only 11 of the 33 outlets with a published leaning rating that ran this story are rated left.
A reader who follows the left would not have seen this. We report the absence rather than explain it: outlets choose what to cover for many reasons, and we have no evidence about which one applies here.
The United States Congress has approved a bill that authorises President Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries that purchase Russian energy or assist Russia in circumventing sanctions. The legislation also targets Russian officials, banks, and the country's shadow fleet, while extending sanctions against Iran. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has publicly stated that these new US sanctions against Russia are without legal foundation and contravene international law. A spokesperson for China's foreign ministry, Guo Jiakun, said that China's economic cooperation with other nations is built on equality and mutual benefit and should not be interfered with by any third party.
Disagreement on the bill's scope
Reports differ on the specific details of who the sanctions target. RBC.ua stated the bill includes sanctions against Russian officials, banks, and the shadow fleet, and extends sanctions against Iran. ZN.UA reported the bill provides for direct sanctions against Russian high-ranking officials, including Vladimir Putin, and companies, as well as measures against Russian oil and gas exports. Anadolu Ajansı reported that Beijing "always opposes long-arm jurisdiction that has no basis in international law or authority of UN Security Council."
What the coverage left out
None of the left, centre, or right-rated reports mention the specific figure of $240 billion for bilateral trade between China and Russia in 2024, as reported by ZN.UA.
Coverage settled. We checked this 8 times and stopped on 22 Sept 2026, 17:45. The figures above are what it finished at.
How other outlets pictured it
Which photograph to run is each newsroom’s own choice. The leaning beside a name is that outlet’s published rating, not a claim that the pictures divide along it. Every picture is shown from the outlet’s own server and links to the article it ran in.

China criticises US sanctions bill targeting Russia trade
ZN.UA Зеркало недели — embedded from source
How each side covered it
Our own reading of the reporting listed below, written from the outlets’ articles rather than quoted from them. The reasoning is set out on our methodology page.
Left
11 rated outlets
- All seven left‑rated outlets reported that China rejected the U.S. sanctions bill, describing it as illegal, unilateral and an exercise of extraterritorial jurisdiction. They noted that the legislation would let the United States impose tariffs of up to one hundred percent on any country buying Russian oil or gas, and that China and India, as large purchasers, would feel the impact.
- The full report from rbc.ua quoted Chinese foreign‑ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, who said China’s trade is based on equality and mutual benefit and that the sanctions lack a UN mandate. It also included a comment from Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov calling the measure unfriendly, identified the late Senator Lindsey Graham as the bill’s author, and gave the House vote tally. The Hindu digest highlighted sovereign trade without third‑party interference, while Global Times and Deccan Herald digests repeated the claim of illegal unilateral sanctions and warned of coercion to energy security.
- Only rbc.ua supplied the specific congressional vote count and named President Donald Trump as the next signatory; the other left‑rated digests omitted those details. None of the left digests mentioned the Senate’s earlier approval date or the extension of sanctions to Iran.
Centre
8 rated outlets
- The centre-rated reports from ZN.UA, South China Morning Post, and Hindustan Times focused on China's opposition to the US sanctions bill. ZN.UA reported that China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that bilateral trade relations "should not be disrupted" by any third party and that China opposes extraterritorial jurisdiction lacking international legal basis or UN Security Council mandate. The report noted the bill allows President Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil, potentially affecting China and India. It also mentioned India's warning to the US about potential damage to bilateral relations and Russia's reaction that the sanctions would complicate peace efforts. South China Morning Post's digest stated Beijing pushed back after Congress passed a bill allowing sanctions on Russia and its largest energy importers, including China, authorising tariffs of up to 100 per cent on the top five importers of Russian oil and natural gas. Hindustan Times' digest reported China opposes the US sanctions bill and will not accept 'long-arm jurisdiction'.
Right
14 rated outlets
- The right-rated reports from Berliner Morgenpost, India Today, vz.ru, news-pravda.com, and Anadolu Ajansı highlighted China's opposition to the US sanctions bill and its potential impact. Berliner Morgenpost's digest noted the US Congress passed a sanctions package against Russia, with China and India under pressure. India Today's digest stated China condemned the US sanctions bill targeting Russia trade partners like India, sharpening tensions over unilateral penalties and Beijing's growing energy ties with Moscow. Vz.ru's digest reported the PRC's foreign policy agency rejected attempts by third countries to interfere in Beijing and Moscow's trade and economic partnership. News-pravda.com's digest quoted Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun saying China's cooperation with other countries should not be subject to interference from third parties. Anadolu Ajansı's digest stated Beijing opposes long-arm jurisdiction that has no basis in international law or UN Security Council authority.
Questions about this coverage
- How did the left and right cover China criticises US sanctions bill targeting Russia trade?
- Of the 33 outlets on this story carrying a published leaning rating, 33% are rated left, 25% are rated centre, 42% are rated right. Those percentages are shares of the rated outlets, not of every outlet that ran it, which was 66. The sections above set out what each side emphasised, in its own terms.
- Is China criticises US sanctions bill targeting Russia trade left or right?
- Neither side dominates it. Of the 33 rated outlets on this story, 33% are rated left, 25% are rated centre, 42% are rated right, and no side holds the 70% this site would want before calling a field one-sided. A story is not left or right in any case; the outlets that carried it are what carry ratings.
- Is the coverage of China criticises US sanctions bill targeting Russia trade biased?
- China criticises US sanctions bill targeting Russia trade is one event reported by 66 outlets, and this page does not rate the story as biased or unbiased. What it publishes is the spread: which outlets ran it, where named rating organisations place each of them on the spectrum, and what each side chose to lead with. A leaning rating describes an outlet's record over time, not this article, and the two should not be run together.
- Which side is not reporting China criticises US sanctions bill targeting Russia trade?
- When we first saw this story, outlets rated left had barely covered it. Coverage accretes for hours after an event, so that is where to look rather than a verdict — the split above is the current count, and it is the one to read.
- Which outlets covered China criticises US sanctions bill targeting Russia trade?
- 66 that we know of, every one of them listed further up this page with a link to its own report and to what we hold on the publisher. Nothing here is a summary of somebody else's summary: the outlets are named so the original reporting can be read.
- What does the new US sanctions bill allow President Trump to do?
- The bill allows President Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries that purchase Russian energy or help Russia evade sanctions. It also includes sanctions against Russian officials, banks, and the shadow fleet, and extends existing sanctions against Iran.
- What is China's official response to the US sanctions bill?
- China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the new US sanctions against Russia lack legal basis and violate international law. A spokesperson said China's economic cooperation is based on equality and mutual benefit and should not be disrupted by third parties.
- Which countries are identified as potentially affected by the new tariffs?
- China and India are identified as major buyers of Russian energy who could be significantly affected by the new tariffs. The bill authorises tariffs on the top five importers of Russian oil and natural gas.
- What has Russia's reaction been to the US sanctions bill?
- Russia's Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the bill an 'unfriendly step'. Reports suggest the potential imposition of additional US sanctions would complicate efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine.
Read it at the source
66 outlets, grouped by the leaning a published rating gives them. Every headline links to the original; an underlined outlet name opens our profile of that publisher.
Left
11- "I Reserve the Right to Take All Necessary Measures to Protect My interests." China (the Largest Buyer of Russian Oil) Is the "Had" U.S. Sanctions. (opens Meduza in a new tab)
- China slams U.S. law tightening sanctions on Russia and Iran (opens The Seattle Times in a new tab)
The Seattle Times — is The Seattle Times biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Ministry of Commerce: China opposes unilateral sanctions with no authorization from UN (opens CGTN in a new tab)
- China Rejects US Pressure Against Economic Cooperation with Russia (opens teleSUR in a new tab)
- China opposes U.S. sanctions bill, says will not accept 'long-arm jurisdiction' (opens The Hindu in a new tab)
- Russia’s global fuel customers push back against US sanctions bill (opens Politico Europe in a new tab)
Politico Europe — is Politico Europe biased? Our profile of this outlet
- China outraged over Graham’s Russia sanctions bill backed by US Congress (opens censor.net in a new tab)
censor.net — is censor.net biased? Our profile of this outlet
- China Criticizes US Sanctions Targeting Buyers of Russian Resources (opens fakti.bg in a new tab)
Show 3 more
- China opposes illegal unilateral sanctions and long‑arm jurisdiction, Chinese FM says in response to US’ Russia sanctions bill (opens Global Times in a new tab)
Global Times — is Global Times biased? Our profile of this outlet
- China rejects US sanctions bill, says trade with Russia must not face coercion (opens Deccan Herald in a new tab)
Deccan Herald — is Deccan Herald biased? Our profile of this outlet
- China Has Responded Harshly to Sanctions Against Russia (opens rbc.ua in a new tab)
Centre
8- USA: Trump Implements New Package of Sanctions Against Russia (opens Tagesschau in a new tab)
Tagesschau — is Tagesschau biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Analysis-Russia sanctions bill gives Trump sweeping new tariff powers (opens WTVB in a new tab)
- China Hits Back at America over 'Hellish Sanctions' (opens 15min.lt in a new tab)
- China warns against linking tariffs to Russian oil purchases, says it will not accept ‘long-arm jurisdiction’ (opens Live Mint in a new tab)
- China hits back as US Congress approves tariffs on top buyers of Russian energy (opens South China Morning Post in a new tab)
South China Morning Post — is South China Morning Post biased? Our profile of this outlet
- China Responded Sharply to the Approval of the Russian Sanctions Bill in the US Congress. (opens ZN.UA Зеркало недели in a new tab)
ZN.UA Зеркало недели — is ZN.UA Зеркало недели biased? Our profile of this outlet
- China opposes US sanctions bill, says will not accept 'long-arm jurisdiction' (opens Hindustan Times in a new tab)
Hindustan Times — is Hindustan Times biased? Our profile of this outlet
- China, India push back against US pressure over Russia sanctions (opens TRT World in a new tab)
Right
14- China Criticized the “Hellish Sanctions” Law Signed by Trump (opens topwar.ru in a new tab)
- In China, Beijing Opposed Unilateral Sanctions without UN Approval (opens Interfax.ru in a new tab)
Interfax.ru — is Interfax.ru biased? Our profile of this outlet
- China's Reaction to the New US Law Against Iran and Russia (opens Mehr News Agency in a new tab)
Mehr News Agency — is Mehr News Agency biased? Our profile of this outlet
- China Targeted Over US Sanctions on Russia, Iran; Jimmy Lai’s Son Appeals to Xi for Father’s Freedom (opens The Epoch Times in a new tab)
The Epoch Times — is The Epoch Times biased? Our profile of this outlet
- China rejects 'US long-arm jurisdiction' (opens Times of India in a new tab)
Times of India — is Times of India biased? Our profile of this outlet
- No basis in international law, lack UN Security Council mandate: China rejects US unilateral sanctions on Russian energy imports - The Tribune (opens Tribune India in a new tab)
Tribune India — is Tribune India biased? Our profile of this outlet
- China has basically told US to buzz off on sanctions bill (opens rediff.com in a new tab)
rediff.com — is rediff.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Hell Sanctions Against the Russian Federation: China Made a Statement (opens Korrespondent.net in a new tab)
Korrespondent.net — is Korrespondent.net biased? Our profile of this outlet
Show 6 more
- 'Long-Arm Jurisdiction' Unacceptable: China Rejects US Sanctions Bill (opens Deccan Chronicle in a new tab)
Deccan Chronicle — is Deccan Chronicle biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Wadephul Praises US Sanctions Package – China and India Are Under Pressure (opens Berliner Morgenpost in a new tab)
Berliner Morgenpost — is Berliner Morgenpost biased? Our profile of this outlet
- China rejects US sanctions bill targeting Russia trade partners like India (opens India Today in a new tab)
India Today — is India Today biased? Our profile of this outlet
- China Opposed US Sanctions Pressure to Cooperate with Russia (opens vz.ru in a new tab)
- China's cooperation with other countries should not be subject to interference from third parties, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said during a press conference, QQ. news reported, citing CCTV (opens news-pravda.com in a new tab)
news-pravda.com — is news-pravda.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- China Pushes Back Against US’ Russia Sanctions Bill, Says Bilateral Ties Should Not Be Disrupted (opens Anadolu Ajansı in a new tab)
Anadolu Ajansı — is Anadolu Ajansı biased? Our profile of this outlet
Not rated
33- China Condemns Trump’s New Russia Sanctions Law, Warns of Retaliatory Measures (opens The Zambian Observer in a new tab)
The Zambian Observer — is The Zambian Observer biased? Our profile of this outlet
- China on New U.S. Sanctions: "The Right to Take All Measures to Protect Sovereignty" (opens NEWSru.co.il in a new tab)
NEWSru.co.il — is NEWSru.co.il biased? Our profile of this outlet
- China Opposes ‘Secondary Sanctions’ and Urges the United States to Retain China Opposes ‘Secondary Sanctions’ and Urges the United States to Maintain Stable Trade Links (opens Revista Bocetos in a new tab)
Revista Bocetos — is Revista Bocetos biased? Our profile of this outlet
- China Responds to New US Sanctions Law Against Russia: We Reserve the Right to Retaliate. (opens anlatilaninotesi.com.tr in a new tab)
anlatilaninotesi.com.tr — is anlatilaninotesi.com.tr biased? Our profile of this outlet
- China Rejects New U.S. Law Reinforcing Sanctions Against Russia and Iran (opens N Digital in a new tab)
- China's Reaction to the New US Law Against Iran and Russia (opens خبرآنلاین in a new tab)
خبرآنلاین
- China's Reaction to the New US Law Against Iran and Russia (opens snn.ir in a new tab)
- China Criticizes the US Penal Code on Russia and Iran... and Charges up to 100% Are on the Horizon. (opens جنوبية in a new tab)
جنوبية
Show 25 more
- China Strongly Criticizes Law Hardening Sanctions Against Russia and Iran · Global Voices (opens La República in a new tab)
La República — is La República biased? Our profile of this outlet
- New US Sanctions Bill Takes Effect; China Reiterates Opposition to so-Called "Secondary Sanctions" (opens i-cable.com in a new tab)
i-cable.com — is i-cable.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- China Responds to the US: Beijing Leads the Global Economic Revolution and Ridicules Duties and Sanctions (opens lantidiplomatico.it in a new tab)
lantidiplomatico.it — is lantidiplomatico.it biased? Our profile of this outlet
- China Rejected US Sanctions Due to Cooperation with Russia (opens srpskainfo.com in a new tab)
srpskainfo.com — is srpskainfo.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Russian Fuel Importers Opposed a New U.S. Sanctions Bill (opens belta.by in a new tab)
- China Opposes US Sanctions Bill, Says Will Not Accept 'Long-Arm Jurisdiction' (opens NDTV Profit in a new tab)
NDTV Profit — is NDTV Profit biased? Our profile of this outlet
- The Threat of New US Sanctions Against Russia Has Outraged Other Countries (Politico, USA) (opens ИноСМИ.Ru in a new tab)
- China Opposed Unilateral Sanctions Against Russia (opens 1prime.ru in a new tab)
- China Rejects US Sanction Threat Over Russian Oil Imports (opens madhyamam.com in a new tab)
madhyamam.com — is madhyamam.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- China Rejects New US Sanctions (opens Radio Nicaragua in a new tab)
Radio Nicaragua — is Radio Nicaragua biased? Our profile of this outlet
- China rejects US sanctions bill, warns against 'long-arm jurisdiction' (opens indiaweekly.biz in a new tab)
indiaweekly.biz — is indiaweekly.biz biased? Our profile of this outlet
- China opposes US sanctions bill, says will not accept 'long-arm jurisdiction' - THE LOCAL REPORT ARTICLES (opens Thelocalreport.in in a new tab)
Thelocalreport.in — is Thelocalreport.in biased? Our profile of this outlet
- China Rejects Outside Pressure on Trade Ties After New US Russia Sanctions Bill (opens Aletho News in a new tab)
Aletho News — is Aletho News biased? Our profile of this outlet
- China Criticized the Bill on Sanctions Against Russia Adopted by the US Congress (opens Новое Время in a new tab)
Новое Время
- China opposes US sanctions Bill, rejects ‘long-arm jurisdiction’ - OrissaPOST (opens Orissa POST in a new tab)
Orissa POST — is Orissa POST biased? Our profile of this outlet
- In China, Hysteria over Sanctions Against Russia: in Beijing, the United States Is Threatened (opens ТСН.ua in a new tab)
- China Reacted to the Adoption of “Hellish Sanctions” Against Russia in the United States (opens Обозреватель in a new tab)
Обозреватель
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC Has Criticized the "Had Sanctions" of the United States Against Russia. (opens Life.ru in a new tab)
- China Outraged by US Law on Hellish Sanctions Against Russia (opens espreso.tv in a new tab)
espreso.tv — is espreso.tv biased? Our profile of this outlet
- China Reacts Sharply to US 'Hellish Sanctions' on Russia (opens lrytas.lt in a new tab)
- The US Has Expanded the Front! Targeting Russia's Biggest Customers. (opens haberglobal.com in a new tab)
haberglobal.com — is haberglobal.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Beijing Jumps Against Washington's "Hellish Sanctions" (opens standartnews.com in a new tab)
standartnews.com — is standartnews.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- "China and India: Who Are the Targets of the U.S. "Had" Sanctions Act (opens RTVI in a new tab)
- China Opposed the “Hellish Sanctions” of the United States, Naming the Reason (opens Unknown in a new tab)
Unknown
- China Rejects Interference in Its Cooperation with Russia and Other Countries - Noticias Prensa Latina (opens prensa-latina.cu in a new tab)
prensa-latina.cu — is prensa-latina.cu biased? Our profile of this outlet
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