While Indian state refiners have paused Russian oil purchases in the wake of US tariffs, Chinese refineries have continued to buy Russian oil under encouragement from the Trump administration.

Oil refiners in China have stepped up purchases of Russia’s flagship crude, seizing an opportunity to take discounted cargoes relinquished by India as Washington ramps up trade tariffs against New Delhi.

China’s exports of refined products, including diesel, gasoline, aviation fuel, and marine fuel, rose 7.1% year on year to 5.34 million tons in July, according to customs data, maintaining the strong momentum from last month and reaching the highest monthly total since June 2024.