China Sanctions U.S. Hanwha Subsidiaries Over Maritime Sector Probes

China has imposed immediate sanctions on five U.S.-based subsidiaries of Hanwha Ocean, citing their alleged support for American investigations into Beijing's maritime and shipbuilding industries. The blacklisted entities—Hanwha Shipping LLC, Hanwha Philly Shipyard Inc., Hanwha Ocean USA International LLC, Hanwha Shipping Holdings LLC, and HS USA Holdings Corp—are now barred from all business dealings with Chinese counterparts.

The Commerce Ministry framed the MOVE as a defense of national sovereignty, with a spokesperson accusing the firms of "assisting and supporting the U.S. government’s probes against Chinese maritime logistics." Hanwha USA responded cautiously, noting it was reviewing the sanctions while pledging to maintain maritime services through its U.S. investments.

The escalation follows Beijing's earlier announcement of new port fees and rare earth export controls—a pattern of economic statecraft that continues to reshape global trade corridors.