China adds 11 US firms to unreliable entity list

China has added 11 U.S. firms, including Skydio and BRINC Drones, to its unreliable entity list, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) announced on Friday.

These companies, in disregard of strong opposition from China, have undertaken so-called military technology cooperation with Taiwan, seriously undermining China's national sovereignty, security and development interests, a MOC spokesperson said in a statement.

China holds the 11 firms accountable for their unlawful activities in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, according to the statement.

China always handles issues related to its unreliable entity list prudently, and only targets the very few foreign entities that undermine China's national security, the spokesperson said.

"There is nothing to worry about for honest and law-abiding foreign entities," said the spokesperson.

The Chinese government, as always, welcomes companies from all countries to invest and operate in China, and is committed to providing a stable, fair and predictable business environment for foreign enterprises that operate in accordance with laws and regulations, said the spokesperson.

China adds 11 US firms to unreliable entity list

China adds 11 US firms to unreliable entity list

China adds 11 US firms to unreliable entity list

China adds 11 US firms to unreliable entity list

The U.S. Consumer Confidence Index fell to 89.1 in December, down from November's revised 92.9, The Conference Board said Tuesday.

The figure is also lower than market expectations of 91.9, showing that U.S. consumers are more pessimistic about current business and labor conditions amid continued economic uncertainty as the year closes.

The Present Situation Index, based on consumers' assessment of current business and labor market conditions, plunged 9.5 points to 116.8 in December. The Expectations Index, based on consumers' short-term outlook for income, business and labor market conditions, held steady at 70.7, remaining below the recession threshold of 80.

Consumers' assessments of current business conditions turned mildly pessimistic in December, with 18.7 percent of consumers saying business conditions were "good," down from 21 percent in November, and 19.1 percent saying business conditions were "bad," up from 15.8 percent.

Consumers' views of the labor market were also weaker in December, as 26.7 percent of consumers said jobs were "plentiful," down from 28.2 percent in November, and 20.8 percent said jobs were "hard to get," up from 20.1 percent.

Looking ahead, consumers' outlook for income prospects was slightly less positive in December, as 18.4 percent of consumers expected their incomes to increase, up from 17.6 percent in November, while 14.7 percent expected their incomes to decrease, up from 12.5 percent. "Consumers' write-in responses on factors affecting the economy continued to be led by references to prices and inflation, tariffs and trade, and politics. However, December saw increases in mentions of immigration, war, and topics related to personal finances -- including interest rates, taxes and income, banks, and insurance, according to Dana Peterson, chief economist of The Conference Board.

U.S. consumer confidence index falls to 89.1 in December