US and China Continue to Sanction Over Human Rights and Business Practices

Ongoing Rivalry Fuels Sanctions

The United States and China continue to impose sanctions on each other over human rights and business practices. The tit-for-tat sanctions reflect the countries' ongoing rivalry, which has intensified in recent years.

US Sanctions on China

In July 2020, the US imposed sanctions on more than a dozen companies in China and Hong Kong for their support of China's human rights abuses against the Uyghur population in Xinjiang.

The sanctions targeted companies involved in the construction of detention camps and the surveillance of Uyghur Muslims.

• The sanctions are part of the US government's broader effort to pressure China to end its human rights abuses in Xinjiang.
• The US has also imposed sanctions on Chinese officials and businesses involved in the country's military buildup.

Chinese Sanctions on US

China has responded to US sanctions by imposing its own sanctions on American companies and individuals.

In March 2021, China sanctioned five American defense companies in response to US sanctions on Chinese companies over their involvement in the theft of US intellectual property.

• China has also sanctioned several US individuals and organizations, including members of Congress and human rights activists.
• The Chinese sanctions are seen as an attempt to pressure the US to lift its sanctions on China.

Impact of Sanctions

The US-China sanctions war is having a significant impact on both countries.

The sanctions are disrupting trade and investment between the two countries.

• The sanctions are also damaging the relationship between the US and China.
• The sanctions are making it more difficult for the two countries to cooperate on issues such as climate change and nuclear proliferation.

Conclusion

The US-China sanctions war is a reflection of the countries' ongoing rivalry.

The sanctions are having a significant impact on both countries.

It is unclear how long the sanctions war will continue, or what the ultimate outcome will be.