Washington Follows the Supply Line From Beijing to Havana

New U.S. sanctions hit two Chinese state-linked electronics firms accused of equipping Cuba's military, plus the tankers and shipping companies that keep the regime's oil flowing. Beijing is promising to protect its companies. Here is what the move targets — and why it matters 90 miles from Florida.

By Clara Hughes

The Trump administration’s pressure campaign on Cuba just named Beijing. On Nov. 5, the State Department designated eight entities and two individuals and identified five vessels as blocked property “to further the Trump Administration’s comprehensive push to end the Cuban regime’s malign activities, both in Cuba and across our hemisphere,” according to Anadolu’s account of the announcement. Two of the targets are Chinese companies the U.S. says supplied Cuba’s armed forces. China is not happy. “We will take all measures necessary to resolutely protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese businesses,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Friday, UPI reported,