BANGKOK — China announced a set of economic countermeasures against the United States on Wednesday, including controls on exports of unmanned aerial vehicles to the U.S. and a ban on transactions with six American entities, saying the steps respond to recent U.S. restrictions.
The Commerce Ministry said the measures were prompted by recent U.S. actions, notably a Federal Communications Commission ban on imports of Chinese drones and the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to add 43 Chinese companies to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act entity list to block goods made with forced labor. The ministry said the measures ‘seriously violate the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and severely damage China’s legitimate rights and interests,’ and warned that China had ‘no choice but to take necessary countermeasures in response.’
Drone exports placed under case-by-case review
Beijing said it will require case-by-case reviews of exports of unmanned aerial vehicles, their key components and related technologies that appear on a list of export-controlled dual-use items that can serve both civilian and military purposes.
The ministry said China was acting with restraint and urged the U.S. to rescind its measures and cease what it called ‘erroneous practices,’ and it warned of further sanctions if additional restrictive measures are introduced by Washington.
Six U.S. entities, including Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. and the non-governmental group Human Rights in China, were barred from engaging in trade or other activities with entities in China. Separately, China said it was banning Compliance Testing LLC from doing business in China, saying the company had worked with the FCC in ‘harming China’s sovereignty and security.’
The Commerce Ministry also said it is probing the potential national security implications of imported printing software and office equipment but did not name any companies under review.
Changes to CCC certification process affect U.S. auditors
The State Administration for Market Regulation announced that U.S. firms that conduct follow-up factory inspections on behalf of Chinese entities for CCC certification can no longer provide those certifications. CCC certificates are intended to ensure electronic products meet basic safety standards. Under the new rule, U.S. makers of certified electronics will need to hire auditors based outside the United States or rely on other non-U.S. designated bodies for such certifications.
The moves come amid simmering tensions between the world’s two largest economies ahead of an expected visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the U.S. in September, despite signs of warming ties during his meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump in Beijing in May.
In December, the U.S. FCC banned the import of new Chinese drones, though it later revised that ban to allow some models. Last week, U.S. authorities announced bans on imports of new foreign-made humanoid robots and power inverters, citing national security risks in measures that in effect target China.
