China imposes export controls on 10 US firms amid trade tensions

On 22 June 2026, China’s Ministry of Commerce announced export controls on ten American companies operating in defence, aerospace and rare‑earth mining. The measures ban Chinese exporters from supplying “dual‑use” items that can serve both civilian and military purposes. The move is presented as a response to Washington’s recent expansion of a blacklist that targets Chinese firms with alleged ties to the People’s Liberation Army.

At the same time, China’s Ministry of Finance said state agencies will no longer purchase products from 46 US firms, including Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and General Dynamics. The list of ten firms subject to the new export checks includes AVEOX, Red Cat Holdings, Teal Drones, IMSAR, Jaia Robotics, Ball Aerospace & Technologies, Oshkosh Defense, L3Harris Maritime Services, MP Materials and USA Rare Earth.

The sanctions come roughly a month after a visit by former US President Donald Trump to Beijing, underscoring the heightened technology and defence frictions between the two largest economies.