Iran's main trade partners at risk from Trump's 'economic warfare'

The United States, under President Donald Trump, has declared a campaign of economic warfare against Iran, warning any nation that engages in trade with the Islamic republic. This directive follows a series of intermittent conflicts between the two countries. Iran's primary trade partners face significant risks if they maintain commercial relations with Tehran.

China, the largest trade partner, has a substantial trade relationship with Iran, accounting for over a quarter of Iran's total trade. In 2024, China imported $18 billion worth of goods from Iran and exported $14.5 billion, with hydrocarbons, industrial chemicals, and machinery being key commodities in both directions. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), despite recently halting all trade with Iran, was another major trade partner.

In 2024, the UAE constituted 30.6 percent of Iran's imports, valued at approximately $21 billion, and Iran sent $6.4 billion worth of goods to the UAE in the 10 months leading up to January 2026, while importing $14.81 billion. These trade dynamics could be severely impacted by the U.S. economic sanctions, potentially causing substantial financial and economic repercussions for both China and the UAE.