WEBDESK: The United States has placed 80 companies and institutions from Pakistan, China and four other countries on the US export blacklist, citing national security concerns. This move is part of a broader effort to prevent American technology from being used for military or nuclear programs.
According to reports, these Pakistani firms were added to the US export blacklist due to their alleged involvement in nuclear proliferation and missile development. Alongside Pakistan, companies from China, Iran, South Africa, the UAE, and Taiwan have also been blacklisted.
“The added entities had made contributions to Pakistani nuclear activities and its missile program, advanced China’s quantum technology capabilities and hypersonic weapons development, and tried to circumvent US controls on Iran, among other actions, the administration said.
Firms on the US export blacklist face strict restrictions when accessing American technology and goods. Special licenses are required for trade, but these are often denied. The U.S. government states that these measures aim to prevent the misuse of sensitive technologies that could threaten global security.
The blacklisted companies from China included six subsidiaries of Inspur Group – a leading cloud computing and big data service provider – for contributing to the development of supercomputers for Chinese military, it said. Five of the subsidiaries are based in China and one in Taiwan.
Inspur Group itself was placed on the list in 2023. The listings are intended to restrict China’s ability to develop high-performance computing capabilities, quantum technologies and advanced AI, and impede China’s development of its hypersonic weapons programme, the department said.
China has strongly opposed the decision, as several of its leading tech companies have also been blacklisted. The Chinese government has vowed to take necessary steps to protect its firms’ interests. Some of the affected Chinese entities specialize in artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and hypersonic weapons development.
For Pakistan, inclusion on the US export blacklist could create challenges for businesses seeking access to advanced technology. The restrictions may also impact sectors reliant on American tech imports. This move further highlights ongoing U.S. concerns regarding security risks in the region.
As the U.S. continues to tighten export controls, companies worldwide must navigate stricter trade regulations. The addition of Pakistani firms to the US export blacklist reflects growing global tensions surrounding technology and security.
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