New charges against 16 China-Russia companies by the United States

International Desk: The United States has imposed new sanctions against 16 companies in China and Russia. The sanctions were imposed over alleged military aid to Russia. In addition, several other companies have been added to the trade blacklist by the US Department of Commerce.

Reuters reported this information in a report on Monday (September 25). US President Joe Biden's administration on Monday imposed new trade sanctions on 11 Chinese and five Russian companies accused of supplying some components to make drones to take part in Russia's war in Ukraine, according to reports. On the other hand, the US Department of Commerce, which oversees US export policy, added a total of 28 companies to the trade blacklist, including some Finnish and German companies.

This would make it difficult for US suppliers to ship their technology to these companies. Nine companies, including China's Asia Pacific Links Ltd and Russia's SMT-Ilogic, allegedly participated in the scheme to supply drone parts for Russia's Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff (GRU). Reuters and Russian media outlet iStories, in collaboration with London-based defense think tank the Royal United Services Institute, uncovered a conspiracy to ship drone parts to Russia last year.

Hong Kong-based exporter Asia Pacific Links Ltd is the most important supplier of drones to Russia, the investigation found. The firm, along with import firm SMT Illogic, was the target of US sanctions last May. The companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

"We will not hesitate to take swift and meaningful action against those who continue to seek to supply equipment and support Putin's illegal and immoral war in Ukraine," Alan Estevez, head of export controls at the US Commerce Department, said in a statement. Earlier, on Tuesday, Washington imposed sanctions on seven individuals and four organizations from Iran, Russia, China and Turkey based on Tehran's drone and military aircraft construction.

In a statement on the same day, the US Treasury Department said that the seven individuals and four companies helped Iran's Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company in its shipments and transactions. At the same time, they have also supported the country's efforts to build drones and military aircraft.