Cosco, China’s largest ocean shipping company and the world’s fourth-largest container operator, has stated that its addition to the U.S. blacklist of companies with direct military ties will not impact its business operations in the U.S.
The U.S. Department of Defense has designated China Cosco Shipping Corp. Ltd. and its subsidiaries, including Cosco Shipping (North America) and Cosco Shipping Finance Co. Ltd., as part of a list of Chinese military companies, citing national security concerns. This move is part of escalating tensions between the U.S. and China.
Under the Defense Reauthorization Act, companies included on the blacklist are those that investigations suggest may pose a national security risk. While blacklisting does not carry penalties, it may complicate relationships with U.S. partner companies, creating challenges related to compliance, costs, and reputational risk.
Cosco, which operates over 500 container ships worldwide, has indicated that the blacklisting will not affect its ability to conduct business in the U.S. The company clarified that its subsidiary, Cosco Shipping Lines, is not listed on the U.S. blacklist, and it does not expect disruptions to its services or quality.
In addition to Cosco, other Chinese companies were added to the blacklist, including China Shipbuilding Trading Co. and China State Shipbuilding (CSSC). The U.S. has also raised concerns over unfair business practices, particularly after China became the largest shipbuilding nation globally in 2024, surpassing South Korea and Japan.
Other companies added to the blacklist include China National Offshore Oil Corp., CRRC Corp. (the largest railcar builder in China), and CIMC, a leading manufacturer of marine containers and chassis. Previously, telecom company Huawei had been blacklisted by the U.S., which later led to sanctions and the Federal Communications Commission banning the sale of Huawei products in 2022.
Additionally, the U.S. Supreme Court is currently reviewing a case regarding ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of the social media app TikTok, which faces a potential mandate to divest its U.S. assets or face a ban.
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