China imposes export controls on 10 United States defence and rare earths firms

Exam-focused facts from the 23 June 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

China imposed export controls on 10 United States (US) companies involved in defence and rare earths mining.
The action follows the US government blacklisting 80 companies, including Alibaba, Baidu, and BYD, for allegedly aiding the Chinese military.
The 10 entities subject to export controls include Aveox, Oshkosh Defense, MP Materials, and USA Rare Earth.
China's finance ministry banned public procurement agencies from purchasing products from 46 US firms, including Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Boeing's defence division, General Dynamics, and Anduril Industries.
The restrictions occur amid US arms sales to Taiwan, with a proposed US$14 billion arms package currently under review by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.