US threat of ‘economic D-Day’ for Iran tests Trump’s China detente

US President Donald Trump’s administration has said it aims to sever “every” economic lifeline sustaining Iran in what officials have warned will be the toughest sanctions campaign ever seen.The threat, if followed through, would mean putting China, Iran’s biggest trade partner, squarely in the crosshairs of US sanctions.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Will Donald Trump’s new sanctions against Iran work?list 2 of 4Raphinha and Lopez score braces as Barcelona trounce Elche 5-0list 3 of 4Tokayev allies head for landslide victory in Kazakhstan electionslist 4 of 4Large forest fire burns close to residential areas in Ankaraend of listThat would be a risky proposition for Washington due to the likelihood of severe blowback from Beijing – so much so that some analysts doubt that the Trump administration’s measures, set to be announced on Monday, will match its rhetoric in scope or severity.While the Trump administration has yet to provide details about what it has dubbed “economic D-Day”, US officials have made it clear that Iran’s trade partners are in their sights.In an op-ed in the Financial Times on Sunday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that countries fearf...