ANKARA 

China on Thursday blacklisted six American companies, escalating trade tensions despite recent high-level talks aimed at cooling disputes over technology and security.

According to a statement from China’s Ministry of Commerce, three US companies were added to the country’s “unreliable entity list,” barring them from import and export activities and investment in China.

The sanctioned firms include Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc., a leading American shipbuilder, along with three other entities.

Meanwhile, Saronic Technologies, Inc., Aerkomm Inc., and Oceaneering International, Inc. were also added to the list.

Beijing said the decision was taken over threats to China’s national security and development interests. Under the sanctions, the companies are prohibited from trade with China and from making new investments in the country.

The move came even as Chinese and US officials have been holding talks to ease tensions on trade, technology, and security issues.

Chinese and US delegations met in Madrid on Sept. 14–15 to discuss trade matters, including concerns related to TikTok.

On Friday, Chinese President Xi Jinping and US counterpart Donald Trump also held a phone conversation that Trump later described as “very productive.”

Separately, China on Thursday urged the US to cancel what it called unreasonable tariffs and create better conditions for expanding bilateral trade, according to state-run Xinhua News.

Commerce Ministry spokesperson He Yadong said US unilateral restrictions remain the biggest obstacle to normal economic cooperation.

“It is hoped that the United States will work in the same direction with China to create favorable conditions for the stable, healthy, and sustainable development of China-U.S. economic and trade relations,” He said.

Writing by Islamuddin Sajid