The United States Department of Commerce has imposed export restrictions on three companies from Russia, six from China, and two from the United Arab Emirates. On April 11, the Department’s website published the list of the newly sanctioned companies.
The companies have been penalized, among other reasons, for their involvement in the purchase of Shahed war drone components, used by Russia in the war against Ukraine and by the Iranian-backed Yemeni Houthis in attacks on ships in the Red Sea.
“The ERC determined to add Jiangxi Xintuo Enterprise Co. Ltd., under the destination of China, to the Entity List for supporting Russia’s military through the procurement, development, and proliferation of Russian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This activity is contrary to the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States under § 744.11”, the Commerce Department’s resolution states.
Thus, Russian companies were blacklisted for “creating a network for the procurement of aerospace components,” including those used to manufacture drones: “Aerosila, which produces aircraft propellers; Delta-Aero, which repairs and maintains aircraft; and UDK-Star, a part of Rostec, which produces fuel supply and control systems for gas turbine engines.
According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Chinese company Shenzhen Jiasibo Technology participated in the purchase of components for Shahed attack drones, which was also subject to restrictions.
The US authorities imposed sanctions on several Chinese companies that they claim are involved in supplying artificial intelligence chips for China’s military modernization programs. In response, Beijing has promised to take “necessary measures” to protect the interests of Chinese companies, the Global Times reports, citing Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning.
The Ministry of Commerce’s decision noted that restrictions penalized two UAE companies for exporting goods from the United States to Iran, circumventing US sanctions imposed on Tehran.
On February 23, the US Treasury Department announced a package of sanctions against 500 companies associated with the Russian Federation to mark the second anniversary of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
