China Sanctions U.S. Companies for Taiwan Arms Sales

Dec. 27—The Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a statement this morning announcing sanctions against 20 U.S. corporations and 10 senior executives in response to the Trump Administration’s announcement last week of plans to sell more than $10 billions worth of weapons and other military equipment to Taiwan. “This seriously violates the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. Joint Communiqués, interferes in China’s internal affairs, and undermines China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the statement said. “China hereby decides to take countermeasures against the following U.S. military-related companies and senior executives….”

The list includes Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, L3Harris Maritime Services, Boeing, and 17 other companies, many of which are Silicon Valley tech firms oriented toward drone and related technologies. Heading down the list of sanctioned executives is Palmer Luckey, the founder of Anduril Industries, who, like Palantir’s Alex Karp, is sponsored by billionaire neo-con guru Peter Thiel. Luckey has reportedly pursued drone sales to Taiwan and is a vocal supporter of the Kiev regime in Ukraine.

“Their movable and immovable properties, and other kinds of assets within China shall be frozen; and all organizations and individuals within China shall be prohibited from engaging in transaction, cooperation and other activities with them,” the Chinese statement says.