BEIJING — China announced a series of economic countermeasures against the United States on Wednesday, including export controls on drones and a ban on dealings with six American entities, in response to recent trade restrictions imposed by Washington.

The measures, announced by China’s Commerce Ministry, come after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security added 43 Chinese companies to an entity list under the so-called Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. Washington has also been drafting a ban on U.S. imports of new models of Chinese data center components.

Export Controls and Blacklist

Under the new restrictions, China has tightened controls on exports of drones and related dual-use items to the United States. The Commerce Ministry also imposed countermeasures against six U.S. entities, including biotechnology firm Applied DNA Sciences and geological research company Stratum Reservoir. The ministry said these U.S. entities “aided and abetted the United States’ illegal sanctions against Xinjiang,” yielding an “extremely negative impact”.

Under the decision, organisations and individuals within China are barred from “engaging in relevant transactions, cooperation, or other activities” with the blacklisted companies.

Beijing’s Warning

China’s Commerce Ministry urged the United States to immediately withdraw the relevant restrictions, stop its wrongful actions and return to the right track of resolving differences through friendly consultation and cooperation. A ministry spokesperson warned that China would take more countermeasures if the U.S. insists on introducing new restrictions targeting Chinese entities.

The ministry said the recent U.S. actions have seriously undermined the legitimate rights and interests of relevant Chinese enterprises and severely disrupted the stability of global industrial and supply chains. It described the U.S. “forced-labor” blacklist as economic coercion dressed up as law enforcement.

Escalating Trade Tensions

The moves represent the latest escalation in trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies. The U.S. has repeatedly targeted Chinese companies over national security concerns and allegations of forced labor in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region — claims that Beijing has consistently denied.

Wednesday’s countermeasures underscore Beijing’s willingness to retaliate against what it views as U.S. economic coercion, while leaving the door open for further action should Washington expand its restrictions.