China targets US drones, six firms, and a third-party inspector in response to FCC and DHS moves

China announced a package of countermeasures against the United States on Wednesday, combining case-by-case export controls on dual-use drones (items usable in both civilian and military settings) and drone technology with trade bans on six American entities and a change to third-party factory inspections for China's CCC product certification mark.

The Ministry of Commerce said the measures take effect Aug. 5, 2026, framing them as a response to two U.S. actions: the Federal Communications Commission's Dec. 22, 2025 ban on foreign-produced drones and critical components, and the Department of Homeland Security's addition of 43 Chinese companies to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act entity list. Beijing called those moves "erroneous practices" that "seriously violate the important consensus reached by the two heads of state" and said it had "no choice but to take necessary countermeasures." (chinanews.com.cn, AP via clickorlando.com)

The six banned entities include Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. and the NGO Human Rights in China. Compliance Testing LLC was separately barred for working with the FCC in ways Beijing said harmed its sovereignty and security. The State Administration for Market Regulation ended U.S. third-party factory inspections for China's CCC mark, the compulsory product certification required for many goods sold there. The Commerce Ministry also opened a probe into imported printing software and office equipment without naming companies.

China said it was acting "with restraint" and warned of further countermeasures if Washington rolls out new restrictions. The package lands weeks before an expected September visit by President Xi Jinping to the U.S.