China announced sweeping sanctions on Friday against a group of U.S. defense companies and executives in response to Washington’s latest arms sales to Taiwan, escalating tensions between the world’s two largest economies over the self-governed island.
China’s foreign ministry said the measures target 10 individuals and 20 U.S. defense firms, including Boeing’s St. Louis unit, Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, and L3Harris Maritime Services. The sanctions were imposed over what Beijing described as U.S. interference in its core sovereignty interests.
Under the sanctions, any assets held in China by the affected companies and individuals will be frozen, and Chinese organizations and citizens are barred from conducting business with them, the ministry said in a statement.
The individuals named include the founder of defense technology firm Anduril Industries and nine senior executives from sanctioned companies. All are prohibited from entering China, according to the announcement.
The move underscores Beijing’s growing willingness to use economic and diplomatic tools to retaliate against U.S. defense cooperation with Taiwan.
The sanctions follow Washington’s announcement last week of $11.1 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, the largest weapons package approved by the United States for the island. The deal includes advanced military systems intended to bolster Taiwan’s defense capabilities.
China has repeatedly warned against such sales, arguing they undermine regional stability and violate U.S. commitments to Beijing.
In a statement released Friday, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said the issue of Taiwan lies at the heart of China’s national interests. “The Taiwan issue is the core of China’s core interests and the first red line that cannot be crossed in China-U.S. relations,” the spokesperson said.
The statement added that any actions seen as challenging that position would prompt retaliation, urging Washington to halt what it called “dangerous” efforts to arm Taiwan.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has vowed to bring the island under its control, by force if necessary. Taiwan’s democratically elected government rejects Beijing’s claim, insisting the island’s future can only be decided by its people.
The United States does not formally recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state but is legally obligated under the Taiwan Relations Act to provide the island with defensive weapons. That policy has long been a flashpoint in U.S.-China relations.
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Arms sales to Taiwan are routine but frequently draw strong reactions from Beijing, including military drills near the island and diplomatic protests.
The latest sanctions add to a growing list of punitive measures China has imposed on foreign defense firms in recent years, though analysts note that their practical impact is often limited due to the companies’ minimal exposure to the Chinese market.