China bans US drone imports and restricts American certification firms

Beijing has imposed new prohibitions on cooperation with seven US organizations in response to Washington's tightened technology restrictions. The blacklist includes Compliance Testing LLC and Applied DNA Sciences, which, according to China's Ministry of Commerce, facilitated American measures that harm China's interests.

At the same time, China has tightened export controls on drones and related technologies shipped to the United States. American certification companies have been temporarily barred from participating in mandatory certification of Chinese products. Additionally, Beijing has launched a national security review of imported office equipment.

These measures came in response to the US Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) decision to expand restrictions on Chinese telecommunications equipment and limit drone imports from China. The two sides continue to exchange targeted strikes in the most sensitive high-tech sectors.

Analysts note that the new steps are limited in scope and do not affect major trade flows between the two countries. The restrictions come ahead of a planned meeting between US and Chinese leaders, suggesting both sides aim to preserve room for negotiation while intensifying pressure on each other in technology and trade.