Dhaka, Aug. 5 -- U.S. and Chinese officials may be able to settle many of their differences to reach a trade deal and avert punishing tariffs, but they remain far apart on one issue: the U.S. demand that China stop purchasing oil from Iran and Russia."China will always ensure its energy supply in ways that serve our national interests," China's Foreign Ministry posted on X last week following two days of trade negotiations in Stockholm, responding to the U.S. threat of a 100Per cent tariff."Coercion and pressuring will not achieve anything. China will firmly defend its sovereignty, security and development interests," the ministry said. The response is notable at a time when both Beijing and Washington are signaling optimism and goodwill ...