Trump Needs China for His Economic War on Iran—But Xi Won't Be Easy to Convince

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced "Operation Economic Outcast," threatening sanctions against countries doing business with Iran, but omitted China, the nation most capable of determining the initiative's success or failure. China, the world's second-largest economy, purchases the majority of Iran's oil exports, valued at tens of billions of dollars last year. Beijing rejects US "unilateral" sanctions and defends its right to trade with Iran and Russia, viewing Washington as reluctant to escalate economic confrontation before midterm elections. Chinese analysts say Beijing is unlikely to accept US determination of its trade relationships with third countries. China's opaque oil purchasing system, involving private refineries and state-owned enterprises, offers potential pressure points, though sanctions on major Chinese banks would likely trigger retaliation and damage upcoming Trump-Xi summit prospects.