US Treasury Secretary Bessent Accuses China of Hoarding Oil During Middle East War
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has labeled China an unreliable global partner, accusing Beijing of hoarding oil supplies and restricting exports of certain goods amid the ongoing war in the Middle East. Speaking to reporters in Washington on April 14, 2026, Bessent drew parallels between China's current actions and its alleged hoarding of medical supplies during the pandemic. He confirmed that he had engaged in discussions with Chinese officials regarding these contentious issues. When questioned about whether this diplomatic friction might jeopardize U.S. President Donald Trump's scheduled visit to Beijing later in the month, Bessent avoided a direct answer but emphasized the strong working relationship between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. He highlighted that stability has characterized the bilateral relationship since the previous summer, attributing this consistency to effective top-down communication. The remarks underscore growing tensions over resource management and trade practices during geopolitical conflicts, even as both nations attempt to maintain diplomatic channels and high-level engagement.
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US Treasury Secretary Bessent Accuses China of Hoarding Oil During Middle East War
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has labeled China an unreliable global partner, accusing Beijing of hoarding oil supplies and restricting exports of certain goods amid the ongoing war in the Middle East. Speaking to reporters in Washington on April 14, 2026, Bessent drew parallels between China's current actions and its alleged hoarding of medical supplies during the pandemic. He confirmed that he had engaged in discussions with Chinese officials regarding these contentious issues. When questioned about whether this diplomatic friction might jeopardize U.S. President Donald Trump's scheduled visit to Beijing later in the month, Bessent avoided a direct answer but emphasized the strong working relationship between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. He highlighted that stability has characterized the bilateral relationship since the previous summer, attributing this consistency to effective top-down communication. The remarks underscore growing tensions over resource management and trade practices during geopolitical conflicts, even as both nations attempt to maintain diplomatic channels and high-level engagement.
AL-MONITOR: The Pulse of The Middle East