China on Tuesday accused the United States of “interfering in Venezuela’s internal affairs” after US President Donald Trump announced a 25 percent import tax on countries that buy oil and gas from the South American nation.
On Monday, Trump said the new tariffs, effective April 2, would apply to all goods entering the United States from countries that buy Venezuelan oil. China is the largest importer of Venezuelan oil, while other buyers include India, Spain, and the United States itself.
“We call on the US to stop interfering in Venezuela’s internal affairs and end the illegal unilateral sanctions imposed on Venezuela,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a regular press conference. He urged the United States to “do more to promote peace, stability, and development in Venezuela and other countries.”
Venezuela has been under years of US sanctions, with a new round in January. Under the new round in January, the US increased the reward offered for information leading to the arrest of President Nicolas Maduro and other government officials. Announcing the planned tariffs on Monday, Trump accused Venezuela of “knowingly and deceitfully” sending “tens of thousands of high-level and other criminals” to the United States.
Trump has already imposed a 20 percent tariff on Chinese goods entering the United States, which he has linked to efforts to stem the flow of fentanyl. Beijing has called for “dialogue” but has also imposed tariffs of up to 15 percent on US agricultural goods ranging from soybeans to pork and chicken. China, the world’s top steel producer, has also pledged to take “all necessary measures” in response to separate US tariffs on steel and aluminum.
“There will be no winners in a trade war, and the imposition of additional tariffs will only cause more harm to American businesses and consumers,” Guo said on Tuesday.
