The US State Department this week imposed sanctions on three Chinese companies it accused of helping Iran in its war against the US, just days before President Donald Trump meets Chinese leader Xi Jinping in high-level talks in Beijing.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the companies – Meentropy Technology (Hangzhou) Co., Earth Eye and Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co. – for “providing satellite images that facilitate Iranian military attacks against US forces in the Middle East,” according to fact sheet released on Friday.
“The United States will continue to take steps to hold China-based organizations accountable for their support of Iran and to ensure Iran cannot rebuild its proliferation programs following Operation Epic Fury,” the State Department wrote. “The targeting of US service members and allies will not go unanswered.”
The timing of the government’s move to impose sanctions on the Chinese companies underscores the administration’s frustration with Beijing’s public statement of wanting to see the Gulf conflict end while providing ongoing support to the Iranian military. That includes the sale of some key parts to Tehran’s drone program, the Wall Street Journal reported.it was reported on Tuesday. The sanctions could also increase Trump’s leverage in his meeting with Xi, where he is expected to press the Chinese leader to push Tehran toward an agreement that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz to normal shipping traffic.
Administrationalso issued sanctions on Friday againstAnother 10 entities and individuals in countries including Belarus, Iran and the United Arab Emirates that it said were “facilitating the Iranian military’s efforts to obtain weapons.”
The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Trump will leave for Beijing in just one week,with the message of the CEOs of the United Statesis set to make deals with the country’s geopolitical rival. At the same time US defense officialsconcern the tariff dispute with Irancould give Xi leverage in talks with Trump next week.
Friday’s sanctions against China mark the latest escalation in tensions. Last week, China’s Ministry of Commerce banned the implementation or compliance of sanctions imposed by the United States on five Chinese refineries accused of buying oil from Tehran, according toState news agency Xinhua– the first such restriction to be raised since China implemented a national policy prohibiting compliance with international measures it deems “unfair” in 2021.
But the president has expressed confidence that he and Xi have the rapport and common ground needed to work together in the Middle East.
“That will be one lesson,”He said in a press conference of the Oval Officelast week. “But he’s been very good about it. Quite frankly, he gets about 60 percent of his oil from Hormuz. I think he’s been very respectful. We’re not challenged by China.”
