China seeks head start in Iran market: Pundit

Press TV has interviewed Ebrahim Mohseni, professor at University of Tehran in Washington, to discuss Chinese President Xi Jinping's official visit to Iran.  

The following is a rough transcription of the interview.

Press TV: I want to look at the significance of this visit at this time. On the one hand we see as for as the sanctions which are supposed to be lifted, on the other hand right now going towards the East, going towards China right now and from what we hear some big deals, big trading is going to take place between Tehran and Beijing - the significance of that move especially at this time?

Mohseni: … China is not the only country that is looking to capitalize on a new access to Iran’s market. Many European companies are looking to have a share of Iran’s relatively untapped markets as well. But China would like to remain Iran’s biggest trade partner and China knows that it may face more competition in Iran in 2016 so it wants to have a head start in Iran’s market.

Now as far as East and West orientation is concerned, the more US tries to inhabit its allies from engaging with Iran like through the changes it has made to the visa waiver program and other hostile initiatives, the more likely it is that Iran will look Eastward and as it tries to jump start its trade relationship.

Press TV: Well isn’t it odd at this point in time from your perspective, you are sitting in Washington DC, the capital of the United States that at this time the United States would make the moves that they would that it almost seems that it would even push Iran, even if Iran did not want to go more towards the East even quicker towards the East? How do you analyze all of this and what do you think as for as the future now of these Iran-Chinese ties?   

Mohseni: These actions are certainly not indeed national interests of the United States. Any independent analyst who would look at the situation would not regard this as something that satisfies US national interests but as your previous guest said, policymakers in this town are very much captivated and are held hostage to the interests of other, both countries and lobby groups in this town.

So what comes out of Washington is not necessarily what Washington has come to the conclusion to be in US national interests. It is more like these policies satisfy the narrow interests of a few that have the ability to lobby the Congress, to take actions that best suit their interests.

We have to also keep in mind that it is election time, election season in United States and unfortunately as both sides try to show how tough they are when it comes to national security, Iran becomes the target. Why? That is long story but that is the case, I mean both sides are trying to show that they are tough when it comes to Iran.    

Press TV: Do you see the ties between China and Iran getting stronger and stronger? Are you very optimistic about this relationship or not?

Mohseni: Well Chinese goods are not very highly regarded in Iran’s market so China has to try extra hard but as far as strategic relationship is concerned, I think the strategic relationship between Iran and China can only grow.

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