Six Chinese entities are now barred from doing business in the United States as retaliation for the recent spy balloon incident.
Several Chinese companies are now feeling American pressure following the high-profile spying incident.
Five Chinese companies and one research institute have been officially sanctioned by Washington. All six are American companies that U.S. officials believe are tied to the Chinese aerospace programs. As a result, these companies will have greater difficulty importing American manufactured goods or technology.
The sanctions move comes as Secretary of State Antony Blinken canceled a diplomatic trip to Beijing.
Washington is accusing China of using high-altitude balloons for spying. In announcing the limitations on Chinese entities, Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves said that the department will “continue to use” business restrictions.
For some in Congress, the actions don’t go far enough. Members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee sought stronger sanctions against China in January, even prior to much of the balloon discourse.
Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID) stated that China “seems to be acting with impunity, and we really need to ratchet up our sanctions in that regard.”
The sentiments were shared by at least one Democrat. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) said that China should face more substantial American pressure.
Under the Biden administration, China has grown more powerful. The catastrophic impacts of China’s influence couldn’t be clearer. We stand against their deceitful and dangerous behavior. https://t.co/7rBsrVdfGp
— Michelle Steel (@MichelleSteelCA) February 5, 2023
The export controls and increased sanctions came after fears that the Chinese balloon was made, at least in part, using American parts or technology.
Chinese state media called upon the United States to stop what it described as “unilateral” American sanctions. China accused the United States of working with the Netherlands and Japan to further restrict high-tech chips to the communist country.
The news also comes with far higher public attention following the balloon shootdown. Objects have been shot down over northern Alaska and northern Canada this week. There was another likely shootdown over the Great Lakes Sunday.
The combination of public pressure and sanctions is likely to push American lawmakers into panel hearings regarding Chinese access to American technology and spying efforts.
