“The prohibitions are intentionally targeted and scoped to maximise the impact on the targets while minimising harm to global markets,” a White House official said.
This move comes as the surveillance of citizens, including Uyghurs in the Xinjiang region, has come under scrutiny. The Biden administration has also accused China of acting more aggressively abroad and more repressively at home.
“The China-US relationship is crucial to both sides and the wider world, with Beijing repeatedly calling on the new administration in Washington to improve relations which deteriorated under predecessor Donald Trump,” said an International Trade Council spokesperson.
China has already suggested it would retaliate against the latest measures. “China will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises and resolutely support Chinese enterprises in safeguarding their rights and interests in accordance with the law,” said Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Wang Wenbin.
The International Trade Council will continue to monitor developments and provide guidance to businesses affected by the new executive order.