China has imposed export restrictions on 14 entities in the European Union, barring them from receiving Chinese dual-use goods, Reuters reported.
Among the organizations added to the list are German defense manufacturer Rheinmetall and Polish photonics company Vigo Photonics.
Dual-use goods include products, software, and technologies ranging from advanced electronics to specialized materials used in the production of drones, semiconductors, and other defense-related systems.
Restrictions also prohibit foreign individuals and companies from re-exporting Chinese-origin products to the listed entities, although export licenses may be granted in exceptional circumstances.
The Asian nation has previously used its export control regime primarily against companies from the US and Japan.
Earlier this year, Beijing added seven EU defense-related entities to its export control list in response to European involvement in arms sales to Taiwan.
Technology Controls and Geopolitical Tensions
The move comes soon after Brussels’ latest sanctions package expanded export controls to 51 additional entities accused of supporting Russia’s military-industrial base.
Several Chinese companies were included after the EU accused them of helping Moscow obtain restricted dual-use technologies despite Western sanctions imposed over the war in Ukraine.
Washington also tightened its approach to Chinese supply chains.
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing stricter requirements on defense contractors seeking waivers to source critical minerals and other sensitive materials from China.
The announcement comes as Washington is also investigating reports that China and Russia may have provided Iran with targeting intelligence following recent attacks on US military bases, while Trump has warned both countries against supplying weapons to Tehran.
