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The US is seeking support for imposing sanctions on China if Beijing aids Russia in the war in Ukraine. Photos/Illustrations
WASHINGTON – United States of America (The US) is looking for allies to possibly impose sanctions on China if providing military support to Russia in the war in Ukraine. This was disclosed by four US officials and several other sources.
Washington and its allies have said in recent weeks that China is considering providing weapons to Russia, which Beijing denies. US President Joe Biden’s aides have not publicly provided evidence.
They have also warned China directly against doing so, including during a meeting between Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping as well as during a face-to-face meeting between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and China’s top diplomat Wang Yi on Feb. 18 on the sidelines of a global security conference in Munich. .
Sources familiar with the matter said the Biden administration’s initial moves to counter China’s support for Russia have included informal outreach at the staff and diplomatic level, including the Treasury Department.
They say officials are laying the groundwork for potential action against Beijing with a core group of countries most supportive of sanctions imposed on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine a year ago.
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“Initial outreach by Washington on sanctions has not led to broad agreement on any specific actions,” the source said.
Asked about the consultations, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council said Russia’s war was complicating China with Europe and others.
“This is a distraction to China and a potential blow to their international relations that they neither need nor want,” the spokesman said.
An official from the country consulted by Washington said they saw little intelligence to support claims about China considering possible military aid to Russia. However, a US official said they provided detailed intelligence reports to allies.
