China has placed U.S. defense companies, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon under sanctions over arms sales to Taiwan, the government said, at least the third time it has announced punishments. #US #China #Taiwan #abcnews #Reuters

"Taiwan is a democratically self-governed island that communist-ruled China claims as its own territory. The two sides split amid civil war in 1949. 

The U.S. has no formal relations with Taiwan but is its main ally. It has increased weapons sales in recent years, angering China with the sales. U.S. law requires the government to ensure Taiwan can defend itself. 

Beijing regularly pressures American companies to try to influence U.S. policy. 

In October 2020, Beijing also announced sanctions against Raytheon and other defense contractors and “relevant American individuals.” A day later, the State Department said it had notified Congress of plans for a $2.37 billion sale of Harpoon attack missiles to Taiwan. 

It's unclear what penalties, if any, were imposed. U.S. weapons or military aircraft sales to Taiwan in 2010, 2015 and 2019 drew similar threats of sanctions." 

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