US imposes sanctions on Chinese and Pakistani firms over military links
- In Reports
- 11:01 AM, Oct 23, 2024
- Myind Staff
The United States has recently added over a dozen entities from Pakistan, China, and the UAE to its trade blacklist, meaning these businesses are now restricted from getting U.S. goods and technology without special government permission, according to a report.
The 26 entities, which include nine from Pakistan, six from China, and three from the United Arab Emirates, are accused of violating export controls by allegedly supporting Russia in its conflict with Ukraine and participating in weapons and drone development projects in Iran and Pakistan, according to news agency AFP.
According to the Commerce Department, these organisations are engaging in "weapons programs of concern," breaking export regulations or evading US sanctions against Iran and Russia. "We remain vigilant in protecting US national security from bad actors. Today's actions send a clear message to those who violate our controls: they will face consequences," Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Alan Estevez said in a statement.
According to the AFP report, nine entities in Pakistan have been charged with serving as procurement agents and front firms for the Advanced Engineering Research Organisation, which was previously placed on a blacklist. This group has allegedly been obtaining US-origin products since 2010 by hiding their actual end customers, which include a Pakistani entity linked to the country's drone and cruise missile programs.
The Commerce Department stated, "This conduct undermines the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States."
Similarly, six Chinese companies have also been placed on a blacklist for allegedly acquiring US goods to further China's military advancement. Three entities in the United Arab Emirates and one in Egypt were also charged with attempting to purchase US components which led to sanctions being imposed.
The U.S. Commerce Department announced that Canada-based Sandvine has been removed from its blacklist. The company was added to the entity list in February 2024 after its technology was allegedly used for mass web monitoring, censorship, and targeting human rights activists. Sandvine was taken off the list after implementing measures to prevent its technology from being misused again.
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