Archive · 5 Aug 2026
China blacklists six US firms, curbs drone exports after tariffs
China and the United States are two of the biggest trading partners in the world, but right now they are having a big argument about trade.
The United States said it will charge extra taxes, called tariffs, on things China sells to the US.
The US says it is doing this because it is worried about forced labour and about keeping the country safe.
China says these tariffs hurt China and are not fair.
To show that it is unhappy, China took its own steps.
China told six American companies that they can no longer do business in China.
China also said it will be stricter about selling drones to the United States.
China is now checking American printers and copiers to make sure they are safe.
The two countries' trade officials talked on the phone about the problem.
China's leader, Xi Jinping, plans to visit the United States in September to try to fix things.
China on Wednesday announced retaliatory measures, blacklisting six American companies including Applied DNA Sciences and Stratum Reservoir.
The moves came a day after Washington imposed fresh tariffs on China and 59 other countries over forced labour and national security concerns (one report says 'more than 50').
China tightened export controls on drones and their key components and technology bound for the United States.
Beijing also suspended factory follow-up inspections, blacklisted US compliance testing firms, and launched national security investigations into office printer and copier imports.
Beijing said the blacklisted firms 'assisted and supported illegal US sanctions related to Xinjiang'; the dispute continues ahead of Xi Jinping's September 24 US visit.
- Who
- China's Commerce Ministry and top trade official He Lifeng; US President Donald Trump and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer; six blacklisted US firms including Applied DNA Sciences and Stratum Reservoir.
- What
- China blacklisted six US companies, tightened drone export controls, suspended factory inspections, blacklisted US compliance testing firms, and launched national security probes into printer and copier imports.
- When
- Announced on Wednesday; one report dates it July 5, while another carries an August 5 dateline.
- Where
- China and the United States.
- Why
- Beijing said the US tariffs 'seriously harm China's legitimate rights and interests' and required countermeasures; Washington cited forced labour and national security concerns and called existing trade terms 'unfair.'
China's position
United States' position
Trade tariffs
China's position
China says the fresh US tariffs, imposed over forced labour concerns, 'seriously harm China's legitimate rights and interests' and that it can only take necessary countermeasures in response.
United States' position
The US says the tariffs are part of President Trump's campaign to renegotiate trade agreements that he called 'unfair' and blamed for creating trade deficits.
Xinjiang-related sanctions
China's position
China says the blacklisted companies 'assisted and supported illegal US sanctions related to Xinjiang' and calls their actions egregious; Beijing denies UN allegations over Xinjiang.
United States' position
The US sanctioned the firms over forced labour concerns; the United Nations has warned of possible crimes against humanity in Xinjiang targeting the mostly Muslim Uyghur minority.
- Announcement date
- Wednesday (reported as July 5 in one article; August 5 dateline in another)
- US companies blacklisted
- Six, including Applied DNA Sciences and Stratum Reservoir
- US tariffs applied to
- China and 59 other countries (one report: 'more than 50')
- Tariff basis
- Forced labour and national security concerns
- Chinese countermeasures
- Drone export controls, sanctions on six US firms, suspended factory inspections, blacklisted US compliance testers, printer and copier probes
- Beijing's stated reason
- Firms 'assisted and supported illegal US sanctions related to Xinjiang'
- Xi Jinping's US visit
- Scheduled for September 24
- Prior US tariff action
- Supreme Court struck down reciprocal tariffs; temporary 10% tariffs expired last month
