US sanctions ‘punish Russia’

– The Trump administration imposed sanctions on the Chinese military on Thursday for buying fighter jets and missile systems from Russia, in breach of a sweeping US sanctions law punishing Moscow for meddling in the 2016 US election.

The US state department said it would immediately impose sanctions on China’s equipment development department and its director, Li Shangfu, for engaging in “significant transactions” with Rosoboronexport, Russia’s main arms exporter.

The sanctions are related to China’s purchase of 10 SU-35 combat aircraft in 2017 and S-400 surface-to-air missile system-related equipment in 2018, the state department said.

They block the Chinese agency, and Li, from applying for export licences and participating in the US financial system. It also adds them to the treasury department’s list of individuals with whom Americans are barred from doing business.

The administration also blacklisted an additional 33 people and entities associated with the Russian military and intelligence, adding them to a list under the 2017 law, known as the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, or CAATSA.

CAATSA also seeks to punish Russia for aggression in Ukraine and involvement in Syria’s civil war.

Doing significant business with anyone on that list can trigger sanctions like those imposed on China. Some of those added to the list of 72 names were indicted in connection with Russian interference in the 2016 US election, the official said.

Also on Thursday, President Donald Trump issued an executive order to facilitate implementation of the sanctions. A federal special counsel is leading a criminal investigation of Russian interference in the US election, and any possible cooperation with Trump’s presidential campaign.

One US administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the sanctions imposed on the Chinese agency were aimed at Moscow, not Beijing.

“They are aimed at imposing costs upon Russia in response to its malign activities,” the official said.

Security analysts in Asia said the move would serve only to push Moscow and Beijing closer together. – Reuters

Washington

Kinston

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