Asian oil importers unshaken as Trump pulls Iran sanction waivers

India and Japan look to alternatives, but China slams Washington's move

A man pours petrol into an underground tank at a fuel station in Mumbai. The Trump administration's move to end a sanctions waiver on oil imports from Iran has pushed the price of Brent crude to a five-month high. © Reuters

KIRAN SHARMA, LAULY LI and JADA NAGUMO, Nikkei staff writers

April 23, 2019 19:13 JST

NEW DELHI/TAIPEI/TOKYO -- Most Asian oil importers shrugged off ramifications of U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to impose sanctions on all buyers of Iranian oil, saying they will seek alternative suppliers.

The White House turned the thumb screws on Tehran by announcing it will cancel sanctions exemptions on all importers of Iranian oil, with the waivers ceasing on May 2. The move pushed Brent crude to a five-month high on Tuesday.