The Chinese authorities finally decided to respond to the US sanctions. For the first time in the history of the US-China trade war, the country took action instead of usual intimidation. Thus, China introduced restrictions on a number of American companies. In fact, either economy or trade had nothing to do with China’s decision. The reason for sanctions against US firms was politics as usual.
Any expression of support to Taiwan's independence by the United States irritates China. Notably, the US not only cooperates with the country but also supplies weapons to Taiwan on a lawful basis. According to Beijing, these supplies and Washington's rhetoric on the issue undermine the one-China principle, violate China's sovereignty, and contradict its security interests. Consequently, several American companies were immediately added to the sanctions list, including Lockheed Martin, Boeing Defense, and Raytheon. The US Department of State paid little attention to this fact and approved arms shipments worth $1.8 billion to Taiwan, including SLAM-ER air-launched cruise missiles, HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, and MS-110 reconnaissance sensors.
Taiwan has been governed independently from China since 1949 when the remaining Kuomintang forces led by Chiang Kai-shek fled to the island after they had lost the Chinese civil war with the Communist Party of China. Notably, Beijing considers Taiwan to be a Chinese province.
