China’s trade with Iran, Gulf states plunges as Strait of Hormuz crisis hits energy flows

China’s trade with Iran and Gulf countries fell sharply in March as restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz tightened amid the US-Israeli war on Iran.Newly released data by Chinese customs showed imports from Iran plunged 48 per cent year on year last month, while exports to the country dropped 90 per cent.Across the broader Middle East, exports to eight Persian Gulf economies – including Saudi Arabia and Qatar – fell by 57 per cent, while imports declined by nearly 33 per cent.The disruption stems largely from the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz – a narrow waterway that handles about 20 per cent of global oil. This curtailed crude flows, contributing to a 25 per cent year-on-year drop in China’s oil imports from Gulf countries in March.