Iran's main trade partners at risk from Trump's 'economic warfare'
PARIS — U.S. President Donald Trump has pledged "economic warfare" against Iran, threatening any country that trades with the Islamic republic following months of stop-start hostilities. Here are the main players who could lose out if they continue to trade with Iran: China More than a quarter of Iran's trade takes place with China, with $18 billion in imports and $14.5 billion in exports in…
U.S. President Donald Trump has vowed to wage economic warfare on Iran, targeting any nation that engages in trade with the Islamic republic following a series of intermittent conflicts. The main nations potentially affected by this policy are China, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and others.
China is Iran's largest trading partner, accounting for over a quarter of the country's trade. In 2024, Iran imported $18 billion and exported $14.5 billion worth of goods from China. Hydrocarbons, industrial alcohols, plastics, industrial machinery, electronic equipment, cars, and metals were among the primary traded items.
Before announcing a suspension of all trade with Iran, the UAE was another significant trading partner. According to WTO data, 30.6% of Iran's imports in 2024 came from the UAE, valued at approximately $21 billion. Iranian exports to the UAE totaled $6.4 billion in the 10 months leading up to January 2026, while imports from the UAE amounted to $14.81 billion.
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- Trump warns of economic consequences for any country supporting Iran sabcnews.com
- Iran's main trade partners at risk from Trump's 'economic warfare' koreatimes.co.kr
- Iran calls Trump's ‘Economic D-Day’ a 'distraction from America’s own crisis' ynetnews.com
- Trump says Iran's economy is collapsing. A former central bank adviser in Tehran pushes back cnbc.com
- Iran condemns Trump's new sanctions, calls them ‘economic terrorism,’ ‘crimes against humanity’ livemint.com
- China slams Trump over economic war on Iran: What to know al-monitor.com
