China publicly rebuffed U.S. demands that it stop buying crude from Russia and Iran, saying it will "always ensure its energy supply in ways that serve our national interests," according to a Foreign Ministry statement issued after two days of trade talks in Stockholm. Washington has warned that Beijing could face a 100% tariff on its exports if it continues purchasing sanctioned oil, making the energy dispute the most contentious unresolved item in broader efforts to ease trade tensions already heightened by a 145% levy the United States imposed in April. China remains the largest buyer of discounted Russian crude and has steadily increased imports from Iran, moves that undercut U.S. sanctions aimed at isolating Moscow over the war in Ukraine and Tehran over its nuclear program. The latest Chinese rejection signals little immediate prospect of convergence as negotiators work toward a wider trade accord.