US Deputy Secretary of State Increases Pressure on China with Secondary Sanctions

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Wendy Sherman, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, pressured Russia by suggesting secondary sanctions (third-party sanctions) against Russia's pro-Russian actions.

On the 22nd, Hong Kong's South China Morning Post reported that Deputy Secretary Sherman warned at a discussion at the Brussels-based think tank 'Friends of Europe' the previous day, saying, "If China helps Russia, it could face sanctions." Sherman claimed, "China is trying to undermine the international system from which they have benefited."

She also mentioned the summit and joint statement between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping before the invasion of Ukraine, emphasizing, "We have witnessed signals that China supports Russia on multiple fronts after the partnership declaration." She added, "China is already doing things that do not help this situation." She also raised criticism regarding China's human rights issues, economic sabotage against European companies, and intellectual property rights problems.

Sherman emphasized, "The United States has made it clear that it will actively compete with China in areas such as trade, economy, technology, and innovation, and is also committed to managing this competition to prevent it from escalating into conflict." She further explained, "The U.S. does not want a Cold War, conflict, or miscalculation. It wants communication channels."

Regarding China's claim that the U.S. is producing biochemical weapons in Ukraine, she pointed out, "It is parroting Russia's disinformation."

She also stated that the economic sanctions imposed by Western allies on Russia are effective, emphasizing, "Our ultimate goal is the strategic failure of Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin." She stressed, "We believe Ukraine will survive," and "Putin is facing strategic failure."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.