In response to what it described as a severe act by the European Union, China announced on July 24 that it would place 14 EU entities on its export control blacklist, prohibiting exporters from shipping dual-use items to them.

Background of the decision

A spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce answered questions from reporters on July 24 regarding the inclusion of 14 EU entities on the export control list. When asked about the rationale behind the list published on July 24, 2026, the spokesperson stated that late on July 23, Beijing time, the EU officially released its 21st round of sanctions against Russia, which listed 14 Chinese companies from the mainland and Hong Kong. To safeguard national security and interests, and to fulfill international obligations such as non-proliferation, China decided to counter this egregious EU action. Based on the Export Control Law of the People's Republic of China and the Regulations on the Export Control of Dual-Use Items of the People's Republic of China, Chinese authorities placed 14 EU entities, including Lafert Group, on the export control list. Exporters are now banned from supplying dual-use items to these entities, and foreign organizations and individuals are prohibited from transferring or providing dual-use items originating from China to them.

Measures and scope of the restrictions

The measures are effective immediately from the announcement date. First, exporters are forbidden from exporting dual-use items to the 14 listed entities, and overseas organizations and individuals are barred from transferring or providing dual-use items of Chinese origin to these entities. Any ongoing related activities must cease immediately. Second, under exceptional circumstances where an export is deemed necessary, the exporter must apply to the Ministry of Commerce for approval. The full list of the 14 entities included in the export control blacklist as of July 24, 2026, is as follows: Lafert S.p.A., Garnet S.r.l., Sindlhauser Materials GmbH, Rheinmetall AG, Antraco Chemie-Handelsgesellschaft mbH, InPACT S.A., III-V LAB, Cavok UAS, Vigo Photonics S.A., Politechnika Wroclawska, IHC Merwede Holding B.V., TATRA TRUCKS a.s., Opticoelectron Group, and Ekspla UAB.