U.S., China: Rising Tensions Amid Iran Sanctions Push

Relations between the United States and China have come under increasing stress during the past year. While many of the issues at the root of the tensions have existed for some time, China's resistance to the U.S. push for sanctions on Iran has become the most urgent and potentially disruptive dispute between the two countries. China believes sanctions could jeopardize its energy security, and that its accession to such a move could harm its international image. However, China will not be able to stop sanctions and will have few options to retaliate against the United States in a way that does not harm Beijing even more.