China REJECTS U.S. Demands as America Scrambles for $100 BILLION

 

In 2025, Washington is pressuring Beijing to halt purchases of discounted Russian oil and instead buy higher-priced U.S. crude. Donald Trump’s strategy — rooted in boosting American oil production to near-record highs of 13.4–13.6 million barrels per day — has collided with market realities. China, which imported about 108.5 million tons of Russian crude in 2024 (roughly 2.17 million barrels per day), flatly rejected the demand, calling it a “sovereign choice.” Russian oil remains cheaper, about $10 per barrel below Brent, and is delivered through secure pipelines and shorter routes, making it more competitive than U.S. shipments. Many Chinese refineries are optimized for heavier Russian grades, and switching would be costly and less profitable. Payments are increasingly settled in yuan or non-dollar systems, further insulating the trade from U.S. influence.

 

Source: The Global Angle