--- title: "China criticises US sanctions bill targeting Russia trade" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/china-criticises-us-sanctions-bill-targeting-russia-trade" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/china-criticises-us-sanctions-bill-targeting-russia-trade" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/china-criticises-us-sanctions-bill-targeting-russia-trade.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/china-criticises-us-sanctions-bill-targeting-russia-trade" category: "Politics" area: "United States" published: "2026-09-17T12:25:32.818Z" source_reported: "2026-09-17T11:33:13.000Z" updated: "2026-09-17T12:25:32.818Z" trust_score: 50 critic_score: 60 hype_score: 40 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-17T12:15:55.895698+00:00" --- # China criticises US sanctions bill targeting Russia trade *Beijing states new US measures lack legal basis and violate international law.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 50 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to a named body, but relies on anonymous sourcing in digests. - Craft 60 of 100, higher is better. Reports include quotes from officials and explain the bill's provisions and potential impacts. - Hype 40 of 100, lower is better. Headlines use strong language like 'hellish sanctions' and 'jumps against', but the body is more measured. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - 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. 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. ## Who covered it Shares of the 9 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 11% (1) - Centre: 33% (3) - Right: 56% (5) 4 of 13 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-17T12:15:55.895698+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 2 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-17T12:45:18.950Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The left-rated report from RBC.ua led with China's strong response to the US sanctions bill. It detailed the US bill's provisions, including tariffs of up to 100% on countries buying Russian energy or helping Russia evade sanctions. The report also mentioned sanctions against Russian officials, banks, and the shadow fleet, and extended sanctions against Iran. It highlighted China and India as major buyers of Russian energy who could be significantly affected. The report quoted China's foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stating that China's economic cooperation is based on equality and mutual benefit and should not be disrupted by third parties. It also noted Russia's Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the bill an 'unfriendly step'. ### Centre - 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 - 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. **Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - veryLow: 1 - mixed: 4 - high: 3 - unknown: 4 - veryHigh: 1 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [South China Morning Post](https://scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3367884/china-hits-back-us-congress-approves-tariffs-top-buyers-russian-energy) — China hits back as US Congress approves tariffs on top buyers of Russian energy - [rbc.ua](https://rbc.ua/ukr/news/kitay-zhorstko-vidpoviv-sanktsiyi-proti-rosiyi-1789644589.html) — China Has Responded Harshly to Sanctions Against Russia - [standartnews.com](https://standartnews.com/svyat/pekin-skochi-sreshtu-adskite-sankcii-na-vashington-647254.html) — Beijing Jumps Against Washington's "Hellish Sanctions" - [RTVI](https://rtvi.com/news/vydelyayutsya-kitaj-i-indiya-na-kogo-napravlen-zakon-ssha-ob-adskih-sankcziyah) — "China and India: Who Are the Targets of the U.S. "Had" Sanctions Act - [Unknown](https://glavcom.ua/world/world-politics/kitaj-vistupiv-proti-pekelnikh-sanktsij-ssha-proti-rosiji-ta-iranu-nazvavshi-prichinu-1143507.html) — China Opposed the “Hellish Sanctions” of the United States, Naming the Reason - [ZN.UA Зеркало недели](https://zn.ua/POLITICS/kitaj-rezko-otreahiroval-na-odobrenie-zakonoproekta-o-sanktsijakh-protiv-rf-v-konhresse-ssha.html) — China Responded Sharply to the Approval of the Russian Sanctions Bill in the US Congress. - [Berliner Morgenpost](https://morgenpost.de/politik/article412317251/ukraine-krieg-russland-news-aktuell-putin-selenskyj-sanktionen-usa-china-indien.html) — Wadephul Praises US Sanctions Package – China and India Are Under Pressure - [India Today](https://indiatoday.in/world/story/china-rejects-us-sanctions-bill-over-russia-trade-partners-india-ptag-2996817-2026-09-17) — China rejects US sanctions bill targeting Russia trade partners like India - [Hindustan Times](https://hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/china-opposes-us-sanctions-bill-says-will-not-accept-long-arm-jurisdiction-101789640499036.html) — China opposes US sanctions bill, says will not accept 'long-arm jurisdiction' - [vz.ru](https://vz.ru/news/2026/9/17/1452332.html) — China Opposed US Sanctions Pressure to Cooperate with Russia - [news-pravda.com](https://news-pravda.com/russia/2026/09/17/2598446.html) — 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 - [Anadolu Ajansı](https://aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/china-pushes-back-against-us-russia-sanctions-bill-says-bilateral-ties-should-not-be-disrupted/4059725) — China Pushes Back Against US’ Russia Sanctions Bill, Says Bilateral Ties Should Not Be Disrupted - [www.prensa-latina.cu](https://prensa-latina.cu/2026/09/17/china-rechaza-injerencias-en-su-cooperacion-con-rusia-y-otros-paises) — China Rejects Interference in Its Cooperation with Russia and Other Countries - Noticias Prensa Latina ## Questions **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. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/china-criticises-us-sanctions-bill-targeting-russia-trade. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "China criticises US sanctions bill targeting Russia trade", https://mediabias.news/politics/china-criticises-us-sanctions-bill-targeting-russia-trade