The Obama Administration is reportedly pressing for a special exemption for China and other permanent members of the UN Security Council from the unilateral sanctions against Iran being pushed through Congress.
China in particular has a significant trading relationship with Iran, and has opposed international sanctions repeatedly. Key petrochemical companies in Britain and France could also be protected by this exemption as well, but China is the most controversial.
Particularly angered are key US allies South Korea and Japan, who would stand to lose considerable trading relationships with Iran to the sanctions and would not get the special exemption China would.
Congress is keen on pushing forward the sanctions, but the exemption will likely be a tough sell. Senators note that President Obama would under the existing bill already have the power to subjectively enforce the sanctions at any rate, and would likely shy away from taking the blame for watering them down.
Stop all of the killing and attendent nonsense. No good outcome will come from all of this. I hope it is not too late to change course. It certainly is too late for the folks that have lost their lives and been hurt in soul and body. Peace!
Yes! We need a special exception for China–it makes perfect sense. They need jobs, cheap
energy and a growing economy—if they don't have a vibrant economy, how can we expect to borrow money from them? The only country in the ME that we need to have good relationship with is Israel, because that provides the best source of campaign contributions.
I used to think GW was the stupidest president, now I see Obama wants to make a run for that title.
Even that stupid smug smile is starting to irk me like GW's smirk.
I hope all countries take the lead of Brazil and tell the US to stuff it. If I could figure out how to invest
money in Iran I would do it.
"I hope all countries take the lead of Brazil and tell the US to stuff it." Agreed!
Sanctions only allow the "bad guys" to blame the US for their children's lack of food and medicine. Sanctions draw the target government and its citizens closer together not the other way around no matter the distorted opinions of our "intellectuaaaals".
Sanction Israel the Cancer in ME.
Does this tell us that Russia is on board with sanctions? Why else would he, they make this weak kneed concession to China? WTF, then China can subcontract all of Iran's oil under their "Exemption"….. This smacks of Hillary… Who else could come up with such a craven approach? It makes the U.N. look more corrupt than the mafia… So many competing interests, who to favor?? China should see how many tankers of oil they can trade for a 50 KT devise… Everyone would forget about enrichment.