Several U.S. officials and other sources indicate that the United States is in the process of contacting allies about the possibility of imposing new sanctions on China if Beijing supports Russia’s war in Ukraine, it may be challenging for China.
According to reports, China is supplying arms to Russia at a time when Moscow’s forces are struggling in eastern Ukraine and Kyiv is preparing a counter-offensive.
Consultations are currently in the preliminary stages but are intended to mobilize support from several countries, especially the wealthy Group of 7 (G7), to support any possible restrictions.
The United States and its allies have said that China is considering supplying weapons to Russia, something that Beijing denies. The aides of U.S. President Joe Biden have not publicly addressed the allegations.
Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping also met in person on February 18 to warn China against doing so. During a global security conference in Munich on February 18, Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi personally.
Sources familiar with the matter said that the Biden administration has initiated informal outreach at the diplomatic and staff levels, including the Treasury Department, to counter Chinese support for Russia.
In a statement, officials said they were preparing for possible action against Beijing with countries that supported Russia’s invasion of Ukraine a year ago.
A White House National Security Council spokesperson confirmed that China was struggling with Europe because of Russia’s war.
“This is an unnecessary distraction for China and may have a negative impact on their international relations,” said the White House National security council spokesperson in a statement.
According to the sources, Washington has yet to reach a broad consensus on specific sanctions measures despite its initial outreach.
An administration source said they wanted to discuss coordinated sanctions and “take pulses” in case any shipments from China are detected to Russia, as China announced a “no limits” partnership prior to the February 24 invasion.
While the statement didn’t directly mention China, the United States issues new penalties against companies and individuals accused of aiding Russia in evading sanctions. In addition to export curbs, the measures also restricted companies from buying semiconductors from China and elsewhere.
“I think the G7 is aware of China’s movement,” a second source said, however, he added that detailed measures were yet to be put in place.
According to Daniel Kritenbrink, the top American diplomat in East Asia, “our concerns have been expressed very clearly both in private and public.” Our like-minded partners also share the concerns we do. We have discussed the implications and consequences of their actions.
Ruggiero, former President Donald Trump’s sanctions expert, said the Biden administration has the capability to economically restrict Chinese private actors and that doing so could prevent banks and governments from continuing to support them.
“If the U.S. escalates sanctions to include targeting Chinese banks with the full range of available options, the administration could communicate with China publically and privately.” currently working for the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, Ruggiero claimed.
Ruggiero cited the sanctions approach to Iran and North Korea as an example of how Washington should force China to choose between access to the U.S. financial system and supporting Russia’s war.
Washington and Beijing have been at odds ever since Washington claimed Chinese spy balloons flew over the continent before American fighter jets shot them down on the orders of President Biden.