The United States is seeking close allies’ support of possible new sanctions on China if Beijing provides military assistance to Russia for its war in Ukraine, according to a report by Reuters citing four US officials and other sources.
Per the report, the consultations are still at a preliminary stage and are intended to drum up support from a range of countries, especially those in the wealthy Group of 7 (G7) to coordinate support for possible restrictions.
It is not clear what sanctions would be imposed, according to the report.
The White House and the US Treasury Department, a lead agency on the imposition of sanctions, declined Reuters’ request for comment.
The report noted that the US and its allies had said in recent weeks that China was considering providing weapons to Russia, which Beijing has denied. Evidence supporting this claim has not been made public, it added.
The Biden administration is taking initial steps to counter Chinese support for Russia, such as informal outreach at staff and diplomatic levels including the Treasury Department, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
The sources told Reuters that officials were laying the groundwork for potential action against Beijing with the core group of countries that were most supportive of sanctions imposed on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine a year ago.
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