US adds multiple Chinese, Pakistani firms to trade blacklist

Several Chinese and Pakistani companies have been added to a US trade blacklist for their alleged involvement in missile and nuclear activities. US Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) added 38 entities to its blacklist for their alleged involvement with the Russian or Chinese military, for contributing to Pakistan's or Iran's nuclear programmes, or for engaging in human rights abuses in Myanmar and China. The move comes amidst increasing tensions with China over numerous issues, including conflicts over trade practices, its proximity to the Russian leadership, the Taiwan issue and the dispute over the South China Sea. The…