Iran Lobbying China to Keep up Oil Imports

[Scotsman + 14]

The lobbying has begun, as everyone is waiting to see what China will do with Iranian oil in the face of US sanctions. Two senior Iranian oil officials met with Chinese buyers this week, according to Reuters. I guess they didn't come home with any guarantees. China is still working out it's leverage position here I think. 

[Seleskya + 50]

And Merkel just backed the Iran deal in a speech to the Bundestag ... can't imagine Europe (particularly Germany, France) going along with US sanctions. Way too much at stake for them. Merkel said the nuclear deal was best way to control Iran's activities in Syria and with its nuclear program. 

[TraderTate + 186]

Anyone hear any rumors from the corridors of Total SA on this?

[TraderTate + 186]

no such thing as conflict of interest anymore. talk to the giraffe

[Scotsman + 14]

yesterday, Total signaled they might exit Iran, so not sure the EU is going to end up winning this fight--if the energy giant would give up that easily. If Total doesn't get the sanctions waver from Washington, it might just withdraw from its multi-billion gas project there. This is bad for Europe because they need the leverage of this big players to stand against Trump.