China announces ‘countermeasures’ after U.S. trade sanctions
China has announced new export restrictions on drones and blacklisted six U.S. companies in retaliation for recent American trade sanctions. These measures follow U.S. tariffs and bans on foreign-made robots, escalating trade tensions between the two nations.
Why it matters
This escalation marks a significant cooling of US-China trade relations, potentially disrupting global supply chains for technology and biotech sectors.
China announced restrictions on drone exports to the United States and blacklisted six companies on Wednesday (August 5, 2026) in response to trade sanctions imposed by Washington over forced labour and national security concerns.
The move comes days after the United States imposed fresh tariffs on China and 59 other countries, adding to a series of recent trade measures.
The U.S. actions "seriously harm China's legitimate rights and interests", a Commerce Ministry spokesperson said in a statement.
"China can only take necessary countermeasures in response, including strengthening export controls on drones, and their key components and technology to the U.S."
Beijing's measures also include suspending factory follow-up inspections by Chinese certification bodies, blacklisting U.S. compliance testing companies, and launching national security investigations into imports of office printers and copiers, according to the Ministry.
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