China-Russia bilateral trade reached $19.14 billion in July 2025, marking the highest monthly level of the year, according to data from China’s General Administration of Customs. The total was up 8.7% from June, although it remained 2.8% lower than in July 2024. The figures suggest that commercial ties between the two countries remain resilient despite U.S. threats of secondary tariffs linked to purchases of Russian crude.
Trade Climbs to a Yearly High
The report says trade between China and Russia has deepened since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with July becoming the strongest month so far this year for the exchange of goods and services. While the annual comparison still showed a modest decline, the month-on-month increase points to renewed momentum in bilateral activity.
Russian crude remains a major component of that relationship. In 2024, Russia shipped 108.5 million metric tonnes of crude to China, accounting for 19.6% of the country’s total crude imports. In 2025, although volumes from January to June were down 10.9%, Russia still delivered 49.11 million metric tonnes to China, underscoring its role as one of Beijing’s top oil suppliers.
Pressure From Washington Has Not Stopped Flows
The article argues that sanctions and logistical barriers have weighed on Russian crude exports, but current trade volumes indicate that China has not materially pulled back in response to recent U.S. warnings. Market observers are also watching whether Beijing expects progress toward a resolution in the conflict, or is betting that Washington will ultimately retreat from imposing an additional 25% tariff on Chinese imports.
At the same time, the tariff threat is not merely theoretical. The Trump administration has already applied similar measures against India over continued purchases of Russian oil, according to the report. With the current trade truce set to expire on August 12, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said an extension is likely and described trade relations with China as being in “a very good place.”
Overall, the July trade data highlights the durability of China-Russia economic ties amid energy demand, geopolitical tensions, and shifting global trade policy. Still, if the U.S. moves forward more aggressively with secondary tariffs, both energy flows and broader negotiations involving China could face fresh uncertainty.