Another episode in the trade war between China and the USA, which coincides with a new page in the history of pressure from that Asian country on neighboring Taiwan.
Beijing has imposed sanctions on 20 North American defense companies, along with 10 of their executives. All companies and people saw any assets they had in Chinese territory frozen. Additionally, the individuals in question are also prevented from entering that country.
Among the companies sanctioned are Boeing and Northrop Grumman, according to information provided by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The decision comes a week after the US announced arms sales to Taiwan worth US$11.1 billion. At stake is the biggest sale ever for that Pacific island.
“The Taiwan issue is the core of China’s core interests and the red line that cannot be crossed in relations between China and the United States,” a Chinese government spokesperson said on Friday.
Remember that China claims Taiwan as part of its territory. However, the Taipei government does not give up and seeks to arm itself in order to respond to a possible Chinese invasion. In this sense, the alliance with the USA is a fundamental factor, which is why it is also one of the main factors for tensions between Beijing and the White House.