Trade tensions between Beijing and Washington have escalated again following the Chinese Ministry of Commerce’s firm rejection of the US decision to expand its export blacklist.

According to Reuters, the ministry stated that Beijing “expresses strong opposition” to what it called “unreasonable suppression of Chinese companies,” affirming it will take “necessary measures to protect the legitimate rights and interests of domestic companies.”

The Chinese response came after the US announced new restrictions targeting companies in China and other countries, alleging they used affiliated firms to circumvent sanctions imposed on the semiconductor sector and advanced technology equipment.

Beijing considered these steps as reflecting a “wrong approach that threatens the stability of global supply chains.”

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce called on Washington to “immediately correct its wrongful actions,” warning that continuing on this path would be met with countermeasures that could deepen the division in the global technology market.

Observers see the recent tension as a new chapter in the ongoing trade war between the two sides, which now includes strategic sectors such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence, with negative implications for the global economy.