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发帖数: 1337 | 1 U.S. Hits Chinese Unit in New Phase of Sanctions on Russia -- Update
Today 3:40 PM ET (Dow Jones)Print
By Ian Talley
WASHINGTON -- The Trump administration imposed sanctions against one of
China's central military-research units for two Russian arms deals, widening
its target list as it launches a new phase of Washington's escalating
sanctions campaign against Moscow.
The U.S. Treasury and State Departments, using a new sanctions power
mandated by Congress last year to target Moscow's intelligence operations
and defense industry, sanctioned China's Equipment Development Department
for the recent purchases of Sukhoi Su-25 fighter jets and S-400 surface-to-
air missiles from Russia. The sanctions freeze any assets the department has
in the U.S. financial system, prevent travel by the unit's top officials
and prohibit business and financial transactions with the Chinese entity.
In related actions, the State Department also added 33 Russian intelligence
and defense agents to its blacklist of security companies and officials, and
the White House rolled out an executive order that details the penalties it
plans to apply as it moves forward with the new phase of its pressure
campaign.
Officials at the Chinese and Russian embassies in Washington didn't
immediately respond to requests for comment.
The actions come amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Russia and
pressure from Congress for the White House to punish Moscow more
aggressively. Lawmakers have criticized the administration for not using all
of the powers Congress granted last year, including against Russia's
defense firms, as part of a larger plan to strong-arm the Kremlin into
curbing what the U.S. characterizes as hostile foreign adventurism.
Congress issued the new powers last year in the wake of revelations that
Moscow had interfered with the 2016 U.S. elections and as federal
prosecutors launched an investigation into the possible collusion of Trump
campaign officials with Russian agents.
Congressional calls for more aggressive sanctions have come as U.S. security
officials warn Moscow's Syrian ally, President Bashar al-Assad, could use
chemical weapons against civilians again and fresh reports of Kremlin-
orchestrated cyberattacks on U.S. infrastructure and the November midterm
elections.
Senior administration officials, trying to fend off a bipartisan push by
lawmakers to mandate new sanctions that could broaden and toughen punitive
powers against Russia, said in recent weeks that new measures were
forthcoming. They have warned Russia that the administration is considering
some of the country's largest defense companies and the Nord Stream 2
pipeline being built to supply Europe with natural gas. |
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