U.S. Tariff Conflict with China Dismissed over Reduction in PDVSA Oil Exports to America
March 27, 2025, (our website) - China is firing back at the Trump administration over its proposed 25% "secondary tariffs" aimed at countries purchasing Venezuelan oil and gas. In a fierce confrontation at a recent news conference, Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry, slammed the U.S.'s "tariff war," accusing the administration of meddling in Venezuela's internal affairs and enforcing unlawful unilateral sanctions.
Jiakun warned that Washington's tactics of long-term sanctions and "long-arm jurisdiction" have been exploited repeatedly to target other countries, peddling a dire message to lift these coercive measures on Venezuela. He also highlighted the detrimental effects the tariffs would have on U.S. businesses and consumers.
Indeed, the impact of the upcoming tariffs on April 2 would stretch beyond the targeted nations, potentially leading to supply chain disruptions, increased costs, and rising consumer prices for Americans. Meanwhile, affected countries would scramble to secure alternative energy supplies or negotiate with the U.S. for exemptions or delays.
Countries such as Mexico, Cuba, and even China, which have already faced U.S. import tariffs, echoed Jiakun's criticism. Mexico's Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the tariff measure, arguing that economic sanctions have a devastating impact on vulnerable citizens instead of governments. Cuban President Miguel Diáz-Canel lashed out against Washington's attempts to economically strangle the Venezuelan people.
Despite China's stern warning, the White House remains adamant that the tariffs are necessary to cut off the Maduro regime's financial lifeline. In a statement released Tuesday, policymakers stressed that access to the U.S. economy should not be seen as a right but a privilege.
However, analysts predict that the tariffs could backfire, leading to renewed inflation and hurting Venezuela's oil revenues. With Venezuela still grappling with economic and migration crises after years of sanctions, many fear this latest move could stall the country's recent recovery efforts.
Throughout the oil saga, it seems geopolitical tensions only grow stronger. Earlier this month, the U.S. forced Chevron to wind down its activities in Venezuela within a month, an order later extended to May 27. This decision has already halted trade of Venezuelan crude to China and caused shipping delays in Venezuela's main ports.
The impending consequences are far-reaching, most notably affecting China, India, and various European countries, the primary buyers of Venezuelan energy resources. Analysts worry that these nations may be forced to purchase oil at deeper discounts, reshaping the global oil market dynamics. Europe, in particular, threatens to respond forcefully if Washington's tariff measures affect European producers.
Amid global unrest, the oil sector remains at the crossroads of power politics. As the dust settles, will political posturing or economic necessity lead the way? Only time will tell.
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Following the U.S.'s proposed tariffs on imported goods from countries purchasing Venezuelan oil and gas, China and other nations have responded with criticisms of the U.S.'s interference in Venezuela's internal affairs and imposition of unlawful unilateral sanctions. These tariffs aim to target key buyers, including China, India, and several European countries, which face potential disruptions in their energy supplies. analysts predict that by pushing Venezuela to sell oil at deeper discounts, the tariffs may alter global oil market dynamics[2][4].
China, as the largest purchaser of Venezuelan crude, stands to face significant implications. Reports suggest that since Venezuelan energy constitutes a relatively small portion of China's overall imports, Beijing may be able to source alternatives albeit challenging within the short timeframe before tariffs come into effect[4].
The anticipated impacts on U.S. businesses include increased costs and potential disruptions in supply chains, possibly raising consumer prices domestically. The broader trade tensions could impair the competitiveness of U.S. exporters and harm American consumers[1][4]. In summary, China's criticisms of the U.S. tariffs and their potential impact on international trade relations highlight the broader geopolitical implications of America's actions in Venezuela[1][3][4].
- China critically denounced the proposed 25% secondary tariffs by the U.S. aimed at countries purchasing Venezuelan oil and gas, accusing Washington of meddling in Venezuela's internal affairs and imposing unlawful unilateral sanctions.
- Guo Jiakun, a Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson, warned that the U.S.'s tactics of long-term sanctions and "long-arm jurisdiction" have been used repeatedly to target other countries and urged the lifting of these coercive measures on Venezuela.
- The tariffs would likely affect key buyers such as China, India, and several European countries, potentially leading to supply chain disruptions, increased costs, and rising consumer prices for Americans.
- Analysts anticipate that the tariffs could backfire, leading to renewed inflation and hurting Venezuela’s oil revenues, which may stall the country’s recent recovery efforts.
- Chinese policymakers argued that access to the U.S. economy should not be seen as a right but a privilege, while Mexican and Cuban officials shared similar concerns about the impact of economic sanctions on vulnerable citizens.
- With geopolitical tensions growing stronger, Europe threatens to respond forcefully if Washington's tariff measures affect European producers, suggesting possible reshaping of the global oil market dynamics.
