China Condemns New US Sanctions Ahead of Trump Beijing Visit

China has criticized newly announced U.S. sanctions tied to Iran, calling the measures “illegal unilateral sanctions” that lack authorization from the United Nations Security Council, as preparations continue for an expected visit by U.S. President Donald Trump to Beijing.

Speaking at a press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Beijing firmly opposes sanctions imposed outside the framework of international law and vowed to protect the interests of Chinese businesses affected by the restrictions.

The comments followed U.S. sanctions targeting several companies based in China and Hong Kong that Washington accuses of assisting Iran’s military and drone-related programs. The dispute is emerging as a significant point of tension ahead of upcoming talks between the world’s two largest economies.

Guo said China has consistently required its companies to operate in accordance with domestic laws and regulations, adding that the government would “resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests” of Chinese enterprises.

Addressing the broader situation involving Iran, Guo stated that Beijing’s priority is preventing a return to hostilities. He accused some parties of using the conflict to “maliciously associate and smear other countries.”

Chinese officials also confirmed that Trump is expected to visit China at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. According to the briefing, the trip would mark the second in-person meeting between Xi and Trump since talks held last October, as well as the first visit to China by a sitting U.S. president in nine years.

Guo said Xi and Trump are expected to hold in-depth discussions on China-U.S. relations as well as broader issues involving global peace and development.

He described head-of-state diplomacy as playing an “irreplaceable strategic guiding role” in bilateral relations and said China is prepared to work with the United States on the basis of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit while managing disagreements between the two countries.

The spokesperson added that stronger cooperation between Beijing and Washington could help bring greater stability and certainty to what he described as an increasingly turbulent and complex international environment.