image1
The US Department of Commerce building
The United States has banned trade with 42 more Chinese companies over military support for Russia. Beijing decries the move as "a typical act of economic coercion and unilateral bullying."
The US Commerce Department said in a statement on Friday that the companies supplied "US-origin" semiconductors that Russia uses for missile guidance systems and drones in the military operation in Ukraine.
"Today’s additions to the Entity List provide a clear message: if you supply the Russian defense sector with US-origin technology, we will find out, and we will take action," said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew Axelrod.
The US department said it is adding another seven entities in total from Finland, Germany, India, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.
Industry and security undersecretary Alan Estevez said in a separate statement, "No matter how convoluted the trail may be or how many hands items are passing through if US-origin items are finding their way to Russia’s military, we will work tirelessly to stop it."
China’s Ministry of Commerce reacted to Washington’s latest decision in a statement on Saturday, describing the move as "economic coercion and unilateral bullying."
"The US has generalized [the concept of] national security and abused export control measures, willfully imposing unilateral sanctions and ’long-arm jurisdiction’ on Chinese companies."
It called on Washington to "immediately correct its wrong practices and stop its unreasonable suppression of Chinese companies."
The ministry vowed to take "all necessary measures to firmly defend the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies."
Last month, the US Commerce Department added 11 Chinese entities to the same trade control list for supplying components to make drones for the Russian military.
Washington has placed tariffs and other trade restrictions on China over national security, human rights and other concerns.
Beijing, however, says Washington is seeking to contain China’s economic development as it emerges as a global power and potential threat to the US-led international order.
