China criticizes US plan to impose tariffs on Venezuelan oil buyers

The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday stated resolute opposition to Washington's threat to add tariffs on countries that buy oil or gas from Venezuela.

At a regular news conference at the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday, a reporter noted that United States President Donald Trump on Monday issued an executive order, declaring that any country buying oil or gas from Venezuela will pay a 25 percent tariff in its trade with the US.

In response, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said, "The US has long abused illegal unilateral sanctions and the so-called long-arm jurisdiction to grossly interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, against which China resolutely opposes."

"We urge the US to stop interfering in Venezuela's internal affairs, abolish the illegal unilateral sanctions against Venezuela, and do more things that are conducive to the peaceful and stable development of Venezuela and other countries," he said.

Guo emphasized that there are no winners in trade wars and tariff wars, and "imposing tariffs will only deepen losses for US businesses and consumers".