Foreign Trade

Iranian Oil Afloat is Keeping China Well Buffered

As President Trump arrives in Beijing for negotiations, China's energy resilience is being tested by Iranian oil supply disruptions. Research by Kpler's Muyu Xu shows Iranian oil exports to China dropped from 1.71mbd in March to 1.16mbd in April. However, China maintains 150 days of strategic reserves and generates 85 percent of its energy from internal sources, limiting Trump's leverage. Meanwhile, 155mb of Iranian crude remains afloat as a buffer, suggesting both nations have contingency plans for Gulf disruptions.