Canada and the EU have imposed sanctions targeting Chinese entities for allegedly supporting Russia's military-industrial complex amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict, sparking diplomatic tensions and protests from Beijing.

At a recent press conference, China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) answered questions regarding the sanctions on two U.S. companies – PVH and Illumina – and criticized new U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum.

At today's press conference, the spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) addressed several key trade and policy issues, including U.S. tariff measures and China's newly announced sanctions and export controls on rare metals.

Chinese attorneys have identified 583 Chinese entities sanctioned under four U.S. blacklists in 2024. The growth rates of these lists highlight intensified U.S. enforcement, with significant focus on Chinese entities linked to advanced technologies, alleged support for Russia's war economy, and human rights violations in Xinjiang.

2024 marked several milestones in the development of China's economic sanctions and export controls, signaling a significant escalation in both regulation and implementation.

As Marco Rubio has now been confirmed as the U.S. Secretary of State, his sanctions status is in the spotlight again. China has signaled its willingness to engage with Rubio when "necessary" and "appropriate," highlighting the delicate nature of U.S.-China relations.

As part of its third set of additions in 2025, Beijing added another four U.S. firms to one of its sanction lists.