The Biden administration continued to escalate tensions with China by adding 37 Chinese entities to a trade restriction list, including some for their alleged involvement in a suspected spy balloon that flew over the United States last year. The Commerce Department also targeted units of China Electronics Technology Group for trying to acquire American technology to support China’s quantum technology capabilities, which could have serious implications for U.S. national security due to their military applications. China Electronics Technology Group is a major military equipment supplier, but they have not yet responded to the allegations.
The actions taken by the Biden administration in adding these Chinese entities to the trade restriction list are in response to the spy balloon incident that occurred in February 2023, which generated outrage in Washington and led to the cancellation of a planned trip to China by Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In the wake of the incident, the Commerce Department had previously added five companies and a research institute to the entity list for supporting China’s military modernization efforts, particularly aerospace programs involving airships and balloons. China’s Foreign Ministry had claimed the incident involved a weather balloon that had strayed off course and accused the U.S. of overreacting.
The entity list, which has been used extensively by the United States to prevent the transfer of technology to China, makes it more difficult for American suppliers to supply goods to the targeted entities. In addition to targeting entities related to the suspected spy balloon incident, the Biden administration also added Chinese entities to the list for attempting to acquire American items for the production of drones for the Chinese military and for shipping controlled items to Russia. These actions signal a continued effort by the U.S. to restrict Chinese access to technology that could potentially enhance its military capabilities.
This latest move by the Biden administration reflects a broader strategy of addressing concerns about China’s growing military capabilities and potential threats to U.S. national security. By placing Chinese entities on the trade restriction list, the administration aims to prevent the transfer of sensitive technology that could be used to bolster China’s military programs. The ongoing diplomatic tension between the U.S. and China, exacerbated by incidents like the suspected spy balloon, underscores the complex relationship between the two global powers and the challenges of managing strategic competition in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.
China’s response to the allegations and restrictions imposed by the U.S. remains unclear, as the Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comments. The actions taken by the Biden administration underscore the administration’s commitment to addressing potential national security threats posed by China. The entity list continues to be a key tool in the U.S. efforts to control the transfer of advanced technology to China and to limit its military capabilities. The ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China, fueled by incidents like the suspected spy balloon, highlight the delicate balance of competition and cooperation in the complex relationship between the two countries.
