Trump Ends China’s SECRET Oil Deals, EVASION of Sanctions #shorts

Fox Business
Fox BusinessApr 23, 2026

Why It Matters

The crackdown could tighten China’s access to cheap Iranian crude, raising energy costs and reshaping sanction‑evasion markets, while signaling a more aggressive U.S. stance on enforcement.

Key Takeaways

  • Chinese refiners cut run rates below 70% capacity.
  • Iran‑China oil shipments use opaque tankers to dodge sanctions.
  • US seized Iranian tanker heading to China, signaling enforcement shift.
  • Trump pledges to enforce sanctions on Chinese oil purchases.
  • Lower refinery demand pushes China to buy discounted Iranian crude.

Summary

The video reports that President Trump announced a crackdown on China’s clandestine purchases of sanctioned Iranian crude, following a recent U.S. seizure of an Iranian tanker bound for Chinese ports.

Chinese state‑owned refiners have cut run rates to under 70% of capacity, the lowest since 2022, as global oil prices surge and the Iran‑Israel conflict curtails demand. The Wall Street Journal notes that Iran, China and intermediaries have long avoided U.S. sanctions by using aging vessels with opaque registries and conducting ship‑to‑ship transfers at sea.

Gordon Chang, senior fellow at the Gatestone Institute, echoed the WSJ analysis, saying the U.S. has known about China’s “90% of Iranian oil” purchases for years. Trump’s quoted line, “We know what they’re doing. We’ll enforce our own rules,” underscores a policy shift from tolerance to active enforcement.

If Washington pursues the stated enforcement, Chinese refiners may lose cheap Iranian supply, forcing higher‑cost imports and potentially accelerating refinery shutdowns. The move also signals to other sanction‑evasion networks that U.S. pressure is intensifying, reshaping global oil trade dynamics.

Original Description

Gatestone Institute senior fellow Gordon Chang discusses China’s oil slowdown on ‘Mornings with Maria.’ #foxbusiness #shorts
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