China announces countermeasures against Washington, including controls
on drone exports to the US
[August 06, 2026] By
HUIZHONG WU and KANIS LEUNG
BANGKOK (AP) — China announced a series of economic measures Wednesday
against the United States, including controls on exports of drones to
the U.S. and a ban on dealings with six American entities, in response
to recent restrictions imposed by Washington.
Tensions are simmering between the world's two biggest economies ahead
of an expected visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the U.S. in
September, despite signs of warming ties during his meetings with U.S.
President Donald Trump in Beijing in May.
The Commerce Ministry said the sanctions are in response to recent moves
from the U.S., including a ban by the U.S. Federal Communications
Commission on imports of Chinese drones, and the Department of Homeland
Security's decision to add 43 Chinese companies to the Uyghur Forced
Labor Prevention Act entity list to prevent imports of goods made with
forced labor.
The “measures seriously violate the important consensus reached by the
two heads of state and severely damage China’s legitimate rights and
interests. China has no choice but to take necessary countermeasures in
response,” the ministry said in a statement.
It emphasized that China was acting with restraint and urged the U.S. to
scrap its measures against Beijing and cease its “erroneous practices.”
It also warned of further sanctions if the U.S. rolls out new
restrictive measures against China.
Beijing is requiring reviews on a case-by-case basis of exports of
unmanned aerial vehicles, their key components and related technologies
that are on a list of export-controlled dual-use items that can serve
both civilian and military purposes.
Six U.S. entities, including Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. and the
non-governmental group Human Rights in China, were banned from engaging
in trade or other activities with entities in China.
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A worker reacts near a line of humanoid robots displayed at the
World AI Conference in Shanghai, Friday, July 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Ng
Han Guan, file)
 China also banned a company called
Compliance Testing LLC from engaging in business in China because it
had worked with the FCC in “harming China's sovereignty and
security,” according to a separate statement from the Commerce
Ministry.
The ministry also said it was investigating the possible impact on
national security of imported printing software and office
equipment, but it did not name affected companies.
The State Administration for Market Regulation announced that
companies in the U.S. that conduct follow-up factory inspections on
behalf of Chinese entities for CCC certification can no longer
provide these certifications.
CCC certifications are meant to ensure electronic products meet a
basic safety standard. The new rule will oblige U.S. makers of
certified electronics to hire auditors based outside of the U.S. or
to rely on other non-U. S. designated bodies for such
certifications.
In December, the U.S. FCC banned the import of new Chinese drones,
though it later revised that ban to allow for some models.
Last week, it also announced bans on imports of new foreign-made
humanoid robots and power inverters, citing national security risks,
in a move that in effect targets China.
___
Leung reported from Hong Kong
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