Trump says discussing lifting sanctions on Chinese refiners over Iranian oil imports

US President Donald Trump on Friday said he discussed with Chinese President Xi Jinping the sanctions imposed on Chinese oil refiners for purchasing Iranian crude, adding that Washington could take a call on easing the restrictions within days.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One after concluding his two-day summit in Beijing, Trump said the issue figured in his talks with Xi. “We talked about that and I'm going to make a decision over the next few days,” he said.

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The US had recently sanctioned several Chinese oil refiners accused of buying Iranian oil, including Hengli Petrochemical, one of China’s largest private refiners and a key player in Beijing’s efforts to modernise its refining sector.

The sanctions are part of Washington’s broader pressure campaign aimed at curbing Iran’s oil revenues, even as China remains one of the largest buyers of Iranian crude. The issue has emerged as another sensitive point in US-China economic ties amid ongoing trade and geopolitical tensions.


(With inputs from agencies)