China said today it “strongly opposes” any pressure after US President Donald Trump called on European leaders to put economic pressure on Beijing over the Ukraine war.

Trump demanded yesterday, Thursday, that European leaders “put economic pressure on China over its support for the Russian war effort,” according to a senior White House official.

“China is not at the source of this crisis, nor a concerned party,” Guo Ziakun, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, responded today at a regular press conference.

“We strongly oppose the trend that consists of mentioning China at every opportunity, and we strongly oppose any economic pressure against China,” he stressed.

The spokesman also sidestepped a question about the decision announced by the White House to rename the U.S. Department of Defense as the Department of War.

“It is an internal United States matter. I’m not going to comment,” he said.

China has never condemned Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine but has presented itself as a neutral party and potential mediator in the conflict.

China is often accused by Westerners of helping Russia circumvent Western sanctions, notably by allowing it to acquire the technological elements it needs to produce weapons.