BEIJING — China's Ministry of Commerce on Friday defended a new round of sanctions targeting American companies, arguing the measures were a lawful response to Washington's own restrictions. The ministry said the curbs protected Chinese national interests.

The sanctions, announced earlier in the week, add several US firms to Beijing's unreliable entity list and tighten export controls on rare earth materials. A ministry spokesperson said the actions were consistent with Chinese law and warned Washington against further escalation of what it called unilateral trade measures.

The exchange comes as both governments prepare for a high-stakes summit intended to ease tensions over tariffs, technology transfers and Taiwan. US officials have accused Beijing of using economic coercion to gain leverage, while Chinese officials have framed American export bans as containment of China's development.

Analysts at the Peterson Institute for International Economics say the pre-summit sanctions reflect a familiar pattern in which each side hardens its position to strengthen its negotiating hand. The White House said preparations for the Trump-Xi meeting remain on track despite the friction.

Markets in Shanghai and Hong Kong reacted cautiously to the announcements, with shares in affected sectors slipping. The US-China Business Council urged both governments to avoid further retaliatory steps that could disrupt supply chains before the summit.