Chinese and Pakistani firms among those targeted; U.S. intensifies crackdown on military-linked trade networks
In a sweeping move aimed at reinforcing American national security, President Donald Trump has authorized the U.S. Department of Commerce to impose trade sanctions on more than 70 foreign companies from China, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, and other countries.
The latest sanctions target entities allegedly involved in supporting military operations, bypassing U.S. export restrictions, and contributing to adversarial nations’ defense capabilities. The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) added these firms to the Entity List, effectively blocking their access to U.S. goods and technologies.
Among the entities sanctioned are six Chinese companies accused of supporting China and Iran’s military and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programs. In parallel, four companies based in the UAE and Egypt were penalized for acting as intermediaries to funnel U.S.-made components to Russia, circumventing existing sanctions.
The list also includes eight Pakistani firms, cited for activities deemed contrary to U.S. foreign policy and security interests. These firms are:
- Allied Business Concern Pvt Ltd
- Ariston Trade Links
- Brightlite Engineering Company
- Global Traders
- Indentec International
- Intralinks Inc
- Linkers Automesh Pvt Ltd
- NA Enterprises
“The United States is taking decisive steps to protect our national security from threats emanating from illicit procurement networks,” the Commerce Department said in a statement. “Entities that seek to undermine our laws and aid adversarial military capabilities will face severe consequences.”
Simultaneously, the White House announced that Brendan Lynch, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, has begun a five-day visit to India (March 25–29) to engage in ongoing bilateral trade discussions.
Lynch is expected to meet with Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and senior Indian officials to discuss a potential waiver from the reciprocal U.S. tariff, set to take effect on April 2, 2025. The visit aims to advance negotiations toward a comprehensive bilateral trade framework, focusing on tariff relief, market access, and strategic economic cooperation.
A U.S. official stated that this visit underscores the importance of U.S.-India ties in addressing regional and global trade challenges.