Why China is likely to be cautious about recent Trump-Putin diesel deal

AI Summary

Observers say Beijing is likely to treat a reported US-Russia diesel arrangement as transactional and wait to see whether it lasts, given the possibility of a sudden change in US policy. The deal reportedly involves Russia supplying more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately, with another 500,000 tonnes to follow.

China is likely to view the latest US dealings with Russia as “transactional”, according to observers, who said Beijing was likely to wait and see what the longer-term impact would be given the possibility that Donald Trump might abruptly change course again. The US president announced that under a deal with Vladimir Putin, Russia would “immediately” supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel to the US and global markets. He wrote on social media that another 500,000 tonnes would follow in...