China bans imports of Lockheed Martin and Raytheon weaponry

China's Ministry of Commerce announced that it will ban imports and exports of Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, two of the largest U.S. military equipment manufacturers and contractors. This measure comes as a result of the US government's support to Taiwan, supplying it with defense equipment.

The main reason for Xi Jinping's communist regime to sanction Lockheed Martin and Raytheon is to prevent these companies from using Chinese components in the manufacture of weaponry that is then marketed around the world. Beijing would block these military vehicles or weapons from being manufactured with Chinese components that could be used against them.

This is not the only measure within China's sanctions package on Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. Several senior executives of both companies will be banned from entering the country. These executives include Chief Executive Officer James Taiclet, Chief Operating Officer Frank St. John and Lockheed Martin's Chief Financial Officer, Jesús Malave. In addition, Raytheon's Head of Missiles and Defense, Wesley Kremer, and Vice Presidents Agnes Soeder and Chander Nijhonhave also been banned.

The country went one step further and added that Chinese companies must "verify transaction information" while forcing them to refrain from doing business with the two U.S. military contractors.

Years of supplying weapons to Taiwan

In recent years, Lockheed Martin has supplied Taiwan with weaponry such as F-16 fighter jets, as well as radar and anti-aircraft missiles. Raytheon also granted it missiles, radars and other lighter defense equipment. Both companies produced the Javelin anti-tank missile, which has also been purchased by Taipei.

These bans are directly related to the China-U.S. crisis over Taiwan, which escalated in early August when former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taipei.