The US is prepared to sanction China if Beijing continues providing Russia with dual-use technologies to aid its military, according to reports. This stark warning will be delivered personally by Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his 24-26 April visit to China, according to reports from Bloomberg and the Financial Times.
Blinken aims to convey that the US and allies are increasingly intolerant of China supplying Russia’s defense sector with items like semiconductors and machinery. These supplies have helped Moscow offset the impact of export controls imposed by Western nations in response to the invasion of Ukraine.
“The primary contributor to Russia’s defense industrial base is China,” Blinken stated during a briefing on Friday.
While not specifying potential measures, sources indicate the US is considering sanctions on Chinese financial institutions and entities. One source called it “the clearest warning” ever issued to Chinese officials.
US Deputy Secretary of state Kurt Campbell said China is undermining European security by arming Russia while pursuing closer EU ties. He stated the US is being “very direct” with its concerns, which Blinken will reiterate to Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
“What we’ve tried to underscore with European and Chinese interlocutors is that these dual objectives are inconsistent, and that we want China to think very carefully about the way forward,” he said.
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