China condemns U.S. plan to redirect Venezuelan oil to Washington

Beijing has sharply criticised the United States over plans to divert Venezuelan oil exports away from China and toward Washington, deepening tensions between the two powers over energy and sanctions policy.

China’s Foreign Ministry condemned the move after U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a proposal to refine and sell up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil currently stranded in the country under a U.S.-enforced blockade.

The oil, which has been largely unable to reach global markets due to American sanctions on Venezuela, would be redirected to the United States for processing and resale, according to the plan.

Beijing said the decision violates international trade norms and harms China’s legitimate economic interests, noting that it has remained one of Venezuela’s main oil customers despite years of U.S. restrictions.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson described the move as “economic coercion” and renewed calls for Washington to lift what it called unilateral and illegal sanctions.

The United States maintains that its sanctions are aimed at pressuring Venezuela’s leadership and curbing revenues it says have been used to sustain authoritarian rule. U.S. officials have not directly responded to China’s latest criticism.

The dispute underscores growing rivalry between China and the United States over global energy supplies and geopolitical influence, with Venezuela’s vast oil reserves once again at the centre of international contention.

Source: Reuters