ISTANBUL

In response to sanction threats by the US, China on Friday doubled down on its continued trade with Russia, saying it was “legitimate.”

The bilateral trade between the two neighbors climbed to over $240 billion last year.

“It is legitimate and lawful for China to engage in economic, trade and energy cooperation with other countries, including Russia,” China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said in a written statement.

Guo was reacting to US President Donald Trump’s hints that secondary tariffs on China were possible for Beijing’s purchase of Russian oil.

“China’s position on this issue is consistent and clear… We will continue to take energy supply measures that are right for China based on our national interests,” Guo said.

While the US and China have extended a bilateral truce on tariffs for the next few months, Trump has punished India with 50% tariffs for “unfair trade” and benefiting from Russian oil purchases.

India and China are the biggest energy customers of Russia, which is under the world’s highest number of sanctions over its war with Ukraine.