US expands sanctions to 32 foreign companies over links to Russia

The US Department of Commerce has expanded sanctions against 32 foreign companies, citing their activities as contrary to US national security and foreign policy interests, according to a document published on September 12.

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) amended the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to add the organisations to its “Entity List.”

The designations include 23 companies from China, one from India, one from Iran, one from Singapore, one from Taiwan, three from Türkiye, and two from the United Arab Emirates.

Among those targeted is Shanghai Fudan Microelectronics Co., Ltd., a Chinese chip manufacturer accused of supplying technology to end users in the Russian military sector. Other firms sanctioned for similar reasons include AR Sales Pvt Ltd. of India, as well as Turkish companies Atempo Proje Taahhüt Ses ve Görüntü Sistemleri Anonim Şirketi İstanbul Şubesi, EB Teknoloji Sistemleri Anonım Şirketi, and Dentun Elektronik. In the UAE, HAS General Trading was blacklisted for exporting goods subject to export controls to Russia and Iran.

The move comes amid heightened pressure on Moscow as Washington pushes its allies to tighten restrictions. With little progress in resolving the conflict in Ukraine, the US has warned of secondary sanctions targeting countries that continue purchasing Russian oil.

India has already been hit with additional tariffs of 25%, bringing the total duty on certain imports to 50%, due to its continued fuel purchases from Russia. Washington has also urged Europe and the G7 to impose tariffs ranging from 50% to 100% on both India and China to compel them to reduce energy ties with Moscow.

Despite these measures, New Delhi has not altered its position. Moscow, for its part, has denounced the sanctions as illegal.

By Tamilla Hasanova