Beijing opposes US interference in int’l trade relations
China rejected on Friday an accusation by US President Donald Trump that an Iranian-flagged cargo ship intercepted by US forces was a “gift from China,” saying international trade relations should not be subject to interference.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman dismissed the claim after Trump told CNBC on Tuesday that the ship “had some things on it, which wasn’t very nice. A gift from China perhaps, I don’t know.”
The US military said it fired on and seized an Iranian cargo ship that tried to evade its blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran’s military said the vessel had been traveling from China and vowed retaliation against what it called “armed piracy by the US military.”
“China opposes any accusations and associations that lack a factual basis,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters in Beijing, Reuters reported.
“Normal international trade relations between countries should not be subject to interference and disruption,” he added.
The container ship Touska was boarded and seized by US forces on Sunday. US maritime security sources claimed on Monday it was likely carrying what Washington deems dual-use items that could be used by the military.
Separately, Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday strongly condemned the US military’s “illegal and savage act” on the ship in the Sea of Oman.
The US, in an attempt to force Iran to conclude a peace agreement after a 40-day war with Iran, imposed a blockade on all vessels entering or leaving Iranian coastal waters on April 13. The blockade was later expanded to include all Iranian vessels on the high seas, as well as vessels carrying goods that could be used by Iran in the conflict.
China has called the US naval blockade of Iranian ports "irresponsible and dangerous."
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said last week the move would "undermine the already fragile ceasefire agreement," and further jeopardize the safety of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway Iran effectively closed in response to US-Israeli strikes.