China bans Illumina gene sequencers following Trump tariff action

China on Tuesday announced a ban on the import of genetic sequencers from U.S. medical equipment maker Illumina, just minutes after President Donald Trump's additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods took effect.

The ban, which will come into force on March 4, is part of a series of retaliatory measures implemented by Beijing in response to the new U.S. tariffs.

According to a statement by China’s commerce ministry, the ban follows the placement of Illumina on the “unreliable entity” list in February. The ministry cited that Illumina had suspended normal transactions with Chinese enterprises and taken discriminatory measures against them. Genetic sequencers are essential for determining DNA or RNA sequences, aiding scientists in studying genetic variations linked to diseases and diagnosing rare conditions. China accounts for about 7% of Illumina’s global sales.

Responding to inquiries, Illumina stated that it would continue to serve its customers in China and remain committed to operating in compliance with the latest guidelines from the Ministry of Commerce. The company is currently assessing the impact of the ban on its operations in the region.

The measure targets Illumina as part of a broader crackdown on U.S. firms, though Beijing has so far refrained from imposing restrictions on major U.S. household names. Analysts note that the move could bolster domestic competition, as shares in local rivals such as BGI Genomics and MGI Tech saw significant gains, with estimates suggesting a potential business opportunity of 750 million yuan ($103 million) for MGI Tech this year.

This development is one of several steps taken by China in its escalating trade dispute with the United States, following previous actions such as tariffs on $21 billion worth of American agricultural and food products and restrictions on other U.S. companies deemed unreliable.

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