The Trump administration imposed sanctions against one of China\u2019s central military-research units for two Russian arms deals, widening its target list as it launches a new phase of Washington\u2019s escalating sanctions campaign against Moscow.<\/b>
\nWASHINGTON \u2014 The Trump administration imposed sanctions against one of China\u2019s central military-research units for two Russian arms deals, widening its target list as it launches a new phase of Washington\u2019s 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\u2019s intelligence operations and defense industry, sanctioned China\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.
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\u2019s defense firms, as part of a larger plan to strong-arm the Kremlin into curbing what the U. S. characterizes as hostile foreign adventurism.
An expanded version of this report appears on WSJ.com.
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