US Sanctions Threat To Chinese Firms over Cyber Espionage

Chinese individuals and companies may face sanctions from US for cyber-attacks against US commercial targets.

The Obama administration is reportedly preparing sanctions since April as an executive order that would allow US to freeze assets and block trade interactions with perpetrators of Cyber espionage, Washington Post reported Today.

“It sends a signal to Beijing that the administration is going to start fighting back on economic espionage, and it sends a signal to the private sector that we’re on your team. It tells China, enough is enough,” a US government official was quoted as saying by RT Today

There is neither confirmation nor denial from the US state department about the sanctions being planned.

“I can’t say anything about the sanctions. The US still has profound disagreements with China concerning cyber activity.” State Department spokesman Mark Toner was quoted as saying to Tass.

“We are concerned with the reports that Chinese authorities encourage attempts to obtain personal and commercial information illegally,” he said.

“Any decision on the issue will be discussed in the talks between Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to the USA in September,” Toner said.