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How Blacklisting Companies Became a Trade War Weapon

The silhouette of a man is seen typing on a laptop computer an arranged photograph taken in Tiskilwa, Illinois, U.S.
The silhouette of a man is seen typing on a laptop computer an arranged photograph taken in Tiskilwa, Illinois, U.S.Photographer: Daniel Acker
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Tariffs aren’t the only weapon in a trade war. Countries are also using blacklists to restrict the economic activities of certain foreign companies. While such measures are often described as necessary to preserve national security, they’re increasingly being deployed as policy tools to protect domestic constituencies or gain leverage in trade negotiations.