U.S. Adds 42 Chinese Companies to Export Control List Over Support for Russia’s Military
WASHINGTON – On Friday, the U.S. Commerce Department announced the addition of 42 Chinese companies to a government export control list. This move comes in response to their support for Moscow’s military and defense industrial base, including the supply of U.S.-origin integrated circuits.
The Commerce Department also added another seven entities from Finland, Germany, India, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom to the trade export control list.
According to the Commerce Department, the circuits supplied by these Chinese companies include microelectronics used by Russia for precision guidance systems in missiles and drones, particularly those launched against civilian targets in Ukraine.
“Today’s additions to the Entity List provide a clear message: if you supply the Russian defense sector with U.S.-origin technology, we will find out, and we will take action,” said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew Axelrod in a statement.
China swiftly criticized the U.S. action, labeling it as “economic coercion and unilateral bullying.”
“The United States should immediately correct its wrong practices and stop its unreasonable suppression of Chinese companies,” said China’s Ministry of Commerce in a statement.
It has been 20 months since Russia invaded Ukraine, and tensions remain high between the two countries. In one of the most deadly attacks yet, a Russian missile strike in a village in northeastern Ukraine on Thursday killed at least 52 people.
Companies added to the U.S. Entity List are considered to be a threat to U.S. national security or foreign policy. Suppliers must obtain generally hard-to-get licenses before shipping goods to entities on the list.
The move by the Commerce Department highlights the ongoing efforts by the United States to curb support for Russia’s military activities and protect national security.
Reporting by David Shepardson, Karen Freifeld, and Mike Stone; Writing by Susan Heavey; Editing by Andrea Ricci and Edwina Gibbs