Data from a port in East China shows that in June 2025, U.S. crude oil inventories were piling up like mountains, while China's imports from countries such as Saudi Arabia and Russia increased by 15% against the trend during the same period. On the surface, this is a trade friction, but behind it lies the precise layout of China's energy strategy - not a technical issue, not a financial issue, but a question of who can take the initiative in the multi-polar energy market.

The "blood shortage" crisis of shale oil in the United States

China suddenly stopped importing crude oil from the United States, directly resulting in 18 million barrels of crude oil being stranded at ports with no one to receive them. The overall setback of the shale oil industry in the United States. The shutdown rate of drilling RIGS at the oil fields in Texas has soared to 40%. Workers have been forced to go home early, while oil tankers at the ports are left idle like "basking in the sun". Top executives of US oil companies rushed to Washington in an attempt to reverse the situation through political pressure, but the reality is cruel - China is no longer the sole buyer of US crude oil.

The increase in production by Opec + has made the situation even worse. The additional supply of 400,000 barrels per day has further pushed down global oil prices, and the high-cost shale oil from the United States has completely lost its competitiveness. Under such circumstances, the so-called "energy independence" myth of the United States is being shattered by the reality of "difficult exports, high inventories and losses for enterprises".

Opec's "taking advantage of the situation" to increase production

Just as the United States was struggling to lose the Chinese market, Opec + announced a summer production increase, which was no different from "taking advantage of the situation" for the US shale oil industry. Global oil prices have further declined, and the competitiveness of US crude oil has vanished completely. In contrast, China has taken the opportunity to expand its long-term agreement purchases with countries such as Saudi Arabia and Russia. Not only are the prices lower, but the supply is also more stable.

This "multi-pronged" strategy has enabled China to remain invincible in the energy market.

The "unipolar thinking" of the United States has completely failed in this game, while China's "multipolar layout" has demonstrated a strong ability to withstand pressure.

The "rejection" of 18 million barrels of crude oil is not only a trade friction but also a landmark event marking the reshaping of the global energy landscape.

The "loud voice but few cards" strategy of the United States seems powerless in the face of reality, while China's calm response demonstrates the far-reaching layout of its energy strategy.

For Chinese enterprises, the key to transformation lies in seizing the opportunities of diversified supply while being vigilant against the risks of fluctuations in the international market - after all, energy security has never been a "single-choice question", but a "multiple-choice question".

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