BEIJING — China on Wednesday announced sanctions on American companies selling arms to the self-ruled island of Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory and threatens to annex by force.
Chinese state media made the announcement, citing the Foreign Ministry, but gave no details on the companies involved. Taiwan is awaiting deliveries of F-16 fighter jets, Abrams tanks and a range of missiles from the U.S.
China has been upping its threats to attack Taiwan, whose 2.3 million citizens overwhelmingly favor their current status of de-facto independence. Despite their lack of formal diplomatic ties, the U.S. has long been a key provider of armaments and is legally bound to ensure the island can defend itself.
Along with buying weapons from the U.S., Taiwan has also been reviving its domestic arms industry. A fleet of submarines is underway, while mandatory military service for men has been extended to one year.
China has previously demanded U.S companies end cooperation with Taiwan’s armed forces, with no apparent effect.
China has recently imposed sanctions on several US companies for selling arms to Taiwan, a move that has escalated tensions between the two countries. The Chinese government announced the sanctions in response to a $2.2 billion arms deal between the United States and Taiwan, which included the sale of tanks, missiles, and other military equipment.
The sanctions target companies involved in the arms deal, including Lockheed Martin, Boeing Defense, and Raytheon. These companies are now banned from doing business with China, and their executives and employees are prohibited from entering the country. This is seen as a significant blow to these companies, as China is one of the largest markets for defense contractors.
China’s decision to impose sanctions on US companies comes at a time when relations between the two countries are already strained. The Trump administration has taken a hardline stance against China, accusing the country of unfair trade practices and human rights abuses. The arms deal with Taiwan is just the latest in a series of actions that have angered Beijing.
The Chinese government has made it clear that it will not tolerate any interference in its internal affairs, particularly when it comes to Taiwan. China considers Taiwan to be a part of its territory, and has long opposed any attempts by other countries to sell arms to the island nation.
The sanctions imposed by China are likely to have a significant impact on the affected US companies. Lockheed Martin, for example, derives a significant portion of its revenue from international sales, with China being one of its largest markets. The ban on doing business with China could result in a loss of billions of dollars in revenue for the company.
The US government has condemned China’s decision to impose sanctions on US companies, calling it “unjustified” and “unwarranted.” The Trump administration has vowed to take action to protect American companies from what it sees as unfair treatment by China.
The situation between the US and China is likely to continue to escalate in the coming months, as both countries jockey for position in what is becoming an increasingly tense geopolitical environment. The imposition of sanctions on US companies by China is just the latest chapter in what promises to be a long and contentious relationship between the two superpowers.
