In this article, we take a look at 5 embargoed and sanctioned countries by the US. If you would like to check our detailed discussion on the US sanctions regime, you can go to 28 Embargoed and Sanctioned Countries by the US.
5. Iraq
GDP (2023): $250.84 Billion
Iraq ranks 5th on our list of countries sanctioned and embargoed by the US. The sanctions began as a means of imposing pressure on the government to withdraw from Kuwait and disclose any Weapons of Mass Destruction. However, years after these events, the US sanctions program on Iraq continues to remain active. Iraq is one of the countries where US-implemented sanctions have had the most drastic of impacts, leading to a reduction of over 90% in imports and exports, high rates of malnutrition, and a severe economic crisis.
4. Hong Kong
GDP (2023): $382.05 Billion
The US government has sanctioned individuals and entities in Hong Kong for links to Russia’s war on Ukraine, undermining Hong Kong’s autonomy, restriction of freedom of expression, and human rights abuses. Many of Hong Kong’s sanctions are closely connected to US sanctions on China.
3. Iran
GDP (2023): $401.50 Billion
Iran is a comprehensively sanctioned state as well, ranking third on our list. Several sanctions have been implemented on the country since 1979, when the US Embassy was seized in Tehran. Some recent sanctioned examples include entities trading in petroleum or petrochemical products, the country’s shadow banking network, cyber actors, and individuals tied to smuggling US technology to Iran.
2. Russia
GDP (2023): $2.02 Trillion
US sanctions on Russia are tied up with the intricate history between Russia and Ukraine. The sanctions began by restricting exports to Russian-occupied Crimea in 2014. The restrictions have significantly strengthened since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. The US has continued to heavily sanction not just Russia, but also any other states, individuals, or entities found to be supporting the country in its war on Ukraine.
1. China
GDP (2023): $17.79 Trillion
Chinese officials, entities, and companies have been sanctioned for several reasons, including espionage, human rights abuses in Uyghur, aiding Russian military networks, and conducting unlawful surveillance. A pertinent example of a sanctioned entity is the telecommunications company Huawei, which the US has denoted as a threat to its national security. The US has also sanctioned the semiconductor sector in various ways to slow down technological development in China.
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