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PoliticsChina adds German defence firm Rheinmetall to export ban list
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China placed German defence giant Rheinmetall and 13 other European entities on its export control list, prohibiting the supply of dual-use products to them. The move, announced by China's Ministry of Commerce, came one day after EU ambassadors approved a new sanctions package targeting around 250 individuals and entities, including 14 Chinese and Hong Kong companies accused of supporting Russia's war in Ukraine. Beijing cited national security and non-proliferation commitments as reasons for the ban. The list also includes Czech military vehicle maker Tatra Trucks and Italian electric motor manufacturer Lafert Group. Rheinmetall, which operates several industrial sites in China since 1997, is a key German arms manufacturer. This follows a similar Chinese action in April, when seven EU defence companies were blacklisted after a previous EU sanctions package.
Source report
China has placed German defence giant Rheinmetall on its export control list, alongside 13 other European entities involved in the production of dual-use goods. The announcement was made by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce on Friday.
Timing and Context
The move comes one day after EU ambassadors approved a new sanctions package targeting approximately 250 new individuals and entities, including 14 Chinese and Hong Kong-based companies accused of supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Scope of the Ban
According to the Ministry of Commerce, the export ban prohibits:
- The export of dual-use products to the listed companies
- Overseas organisations and individuals from supplying dual-use items from China to the targeted entities
In a statement, the ministry said: “In order to safeguard national security and national interests and fulfill international obligations such as non-proliferation, China has decided to place 14 EU entities including Lafert Group on its export control list.”
Entities Listed
The list includes:
- Rheinmetall (Germany) – The arms manufacturer operates in China as an industrial supplier. It established its first facility in China in 1997 with Chinese automotive systems manufacturer HASCO and now has several sites across the country.
- Tatra Trucks (Czech Republic) – A manufacturer of military vehicles
- Lafert Group (Italy) – An electric motor manufacturer
Previous Actions
China took a similar step in April, following the Council’s approval of an earlier sanctions package. At that time, the Ministry of Commerce placed seven EU defence companies on its export control list, including:
- Herstal (Belgium) – Firearms manufacturer
- FN Browning (Belgium) – Firearms manufacturer
- Hensoldt AG (Germany)
The ministry cited similar national security concerns and commitments to non-proliferation in both instances.
Source
EuractivWestern
Part of this Story
China Adds German Defence Firm Rheinmetall to Export Ban List in Retaliation for EU Sanctions