China limits dual-use exports to 14 European Union entities

China banned exports of products with potential civilian and military uses to 14 European Union entities on Friday, citing national security concerns. China's commerce ministry said it had placed the 14 entities, including Lafert Group, on its export control list to safeguard national security and national interests. The ministry said the ban took effect on Friday and prohibited exporters from sending dual-use items to the listed entities. A commerce ministry spokesperson said the measure was a response to what China called egregious actions by the European Union a day earlier. The source says the EU had imposed similar export restrictions against 51 new entities, including Chinese and Hong Kong companies, accusing them of supporting Russia's war in Ukraine. The entities named in the Chinese measure include Italian electric motor producer Lafert Group and German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall AG. Dutch shipbuilding company IHC, which produces offshore heavy equipment, and Czech firm Tatra Trucks, which makes military vehicles, were also listed. The ban also prohibits overseas organisations and individuals from supplying dual-use items from China to the 14 European entities.