A Taiwanese company, an ally of the United States, exported equipment that can be used for weapons manufacturing to Russia.
According to a report by The Washington Post (WP) on the 1st (local time), the Russian company 'I Machine Technology' imported over $20 million worth of CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machine tools from Taiwan since January last year. CNC machines are used in various industries to manufacture complex and precise products and can also produce weapon components.
WP reported that almost all the CNC machines imported by this Russian company from January to July last year were Taiwanese products. During this period, the overwhelming majority of 'I Machine Technology's sales were transactions with the Russian defense industry, and it was found that the company also attempted to supply machines to a company mass-producing attack drones.
Kevin Wolf, former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Export Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce, told WP that the sale of CNC machines likely violated export controls against Russia introduced by Taiwan and the West in January last year.
After the outbreak of the Ukraine war, Taiwan began controlling technology exports to Russia in April 2022, and CNC machines were included in export controls in January last year. WP pointed out that despite U.S.-led sanctions, Russian defense industries continue to import items necessary for weapons production due to regulatory loopholes and lax enforcement.
According to the Ukraine Economic Security Council (ESCU), Russia has imported about 70% of the CNC machines it has used in recent years, and since the West began export controls, its dependence on suppliers in Asia, including Taiwan, has increased.
The CEO of 'I Machine Technology' explained to WP that they only purchased spare parts from Taiwan, but WP reported that on paper, they imported complete CNC machines. Taiwan's 'I Machine Tools,' which exported CNC machines to Russia, claimed that it stopped exports after the Taiwanese government introduced export controls and only continued exporting parts as a service.
China remained tight-lipped on the matter. On the 2nd, at a regular briefing, Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was asked about WP's report and replied, "I am not aware of the situation you mentioned. However, what I do know is that Russia faithfully adheres to the 'One China' principle and firmly opposes 'Taiwan independence.'"
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