China has announced sanctions against nine U.S. military-linked companies, freezing their assets within China in retaliation for ongoing U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. The move, effective Wednesday, is the latest step in Beijing’s efforts to pressure the U.S. to halt its support for Taiwan’s defense.
In a statement released by China’s foreign ministry, the targeted firms include notable names such as Sierra Nevada Corporation, Stick Rudder Enterprises LLC, and Cubic Corporation.
"These countermeasures are aimed at safeguarding China's sovereignty and security interests," the ministry explained.
Other affected companies include S3 Aerospace, TCOM Ltd Partnership, TextOre, Planate Management Group, ACT1 Federal, and Exovera.
The ministry emphasised that all organisations and individuals within China are now prohibited from conducting any transactions with the sanctioned firms.
The move underscores China’s ongoing frustration with the U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, a democratically-governed island that Beijing considers part of its territory.
"We urge the United States to immediately stop the dangerous trend of arming Taiwan," said Lin Jian, a spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry, during a press briefing. "Stop conniving and supporting Taiwan independence, and stop undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait."
This is not the first time China has imposed such sanctions. Lockheed Martin units and other U.S. defense contractors have been sanctioned in the past for their involvement in arms deals with Taiwan.
China has consistently expressed strong opposition to these sales, calling on Washington to “withdraw them immediately.”