China imposed immediate export controls on 14 European Union defense and technology firms this Tuesday, after the European Union included Chinese companies in its 21st package of sanctions against Russia. While the European Union continues to align its foreign policy with unilateral sanctions, Beijing has demonstrated its capacity to respond with precise countermeasures that directly affect Europe’s leading industrial conglomerates. In a major trade escalation, China has imposed immediate export restrictions on dual-use technology targeting 14 European companies. In 2025, Chinese exports to the European Union reached 560 billion euros (about 650 billion dollars). This North African nation maintains a free trade agreement with the European Union, potentially allowing Chinese firms to bypass trade barriers.