<h1>Major Asian country says firms will keep buying cheapest crude to secure energy for 1.4 billion people</h1> A major Asian country announced its firms will continue purchasing crude from suppliers offering the best commercial terms, framing the policy as necessary to ensure energy security for its 1.4 billion population. The government rejected accusations from a major Western country that such purchases fund a conflict, calling retaliatory tariffs unfair and asserting trade is driven by market dynamics and mutual interests with the supplier, a major oil exporter. Officials said they will take measures to protect national interest and noted other Western and European buyers also trade with the exporter.