China Is Cutting Off Drone Supplies Critical to Ukraine War Effort

China’s escalating conflict with the US over trade is now extending to the drones that have become a vital part of Ukraine’s defense.

Manufacturers in China recently began limiting sales to the US and Europe of key components used to build unmanned aerial vehicles, according to multiple people with knowledge of the developments, who asked not to be identified discussing sensitive information.

The moves are a prelude to broader export restrictions on drone parts that western officials expect Beijing to enforce in the new year, the people said. Those rules could take the form of license approvals based on the intended use of the components or softer requirements for Chinese companies to notify the government of their shipment plans, according to one of the people.

Representatives for China’s Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Industry and Information Technology did not respond to a request for comment.

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