Defense Tech Leader Expresses Pride Over China Sanctions
Anduril founder Palmer Luckey addresses the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, being sanctioned by China over arm sales to Taiwan and more on ‘The Claman Countdown.’
A U.S. defense technology executive, who has faced personal sanctions from China due to his company’s arms sales to Taiwan, proudly embraces this ban as a symbol of honor. “It’s an award I’m very, very proud to win,” stated Palmer Luckey, founder of Anduril, during an interview with FOX Business anchor Liz Claman at CES 2026 in Las Vegas.
This announcement comes just a week after the U.S. government revealed an arms-sale package exceeding $10 billion to Taiwan. In response, Beijing imposed sanctions on 20 U.S. defense firms and 10 senior executives, including Luckey.
The Chinese foreign defense ministry issued a stern warning to the U.S. regarding the “dangerous moves of arming Taiwan” in a statement released on December 26. They emphasized, “The Taiwan question is at the very core of China’s core interests and the first red line that must not be crossed in China-U.S. relations. Any company or individual engaging in arms sales to Taiwan will pay the price for their wrongdoing.”
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Luckey is among the 10 executives barred from entering or conducting business in China, with his company’s assets in the nation frozen. He remarked that the sanctions against him were long overdue, stating, “Anduril, my company, has been sanctioned for years. But to finally personally be sanctioned, to be told that all my Chinese assets will be seized, and I can no longer enter China or any of their states that they’ve taken over, I’m actually very proud of that.”
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Luckey argued that the U.S. can no longer afford to maintain “business as usual” in light of China’s aggressive stance toward Taiwan and other nations. He emphasized the need to transform Taiwan into a “prickly porcupine” that would deter potential aggressors.
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When asked about the types of weaponry Anduril is supplying to Taiwan, Luckey detailed a range of land, air, and maritime defense systems. He noted that most of Anduril’s designs are primarily aimed at countering China rather than focusing on Venezuela.
The Altius-600 autonomous UAS at Anduril’s headquarters in Costa Mesa, California, US, on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. (Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Luckey concluded by stating that if any conflict arises involving China, Anduril’s technology will be prominently featured. “If anyone ever goes toe-to-toe with China, you’re going to see a lot of Anduril’s stuff in the mix.”
Anduril founder Palmer Luckey addresses the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, being sanctioned by China over arm sales to Taiwan and more on ‘The Claman Countdown.’
A U.S. defense technology executive, who has faced personal sanctions from China due to his company’s arms sales to Taiwan, proudly embraces this ban as a symbol of honor. “It’s an award I’m very, very proud to win,” stated Palmer Luckey, founder of Anduril, during an interview with FOX Business anchor Liz Claman at CES 2026 in Las Vegas.
This announcement comes just a week after the U.S. government revealed an arms-sale package exceeding $10 billion to Taiwan. In response, Beijing imposed sanctions on 20 U.S. defense firms and 10 senior executives, including Luckey.
The Chinese foreign defense ministry issued a stern warning to the U.S. regarding the “dangerous moves of arming Taiwan” in a statement released on December 26. They emphasized, “The Taiwan question is at the very core of China’s core interests and the first red line that must not be crossed in China-U.S. relations. Any company or individual engaging in arms sales to Taiwan will pay the price for their wrongdoing.”
Laffer Tengler Investments CEO and CIO Nancy Tengler reviews her successful ‘5 for ’25’ stock picks, introduces her ‘6 for ’26’ picks and more on ‘Making Money.’
Luckey is among the 10 executives barred from entering or conducting business in China, with his company’s assets in the nation frozen. He remarked that the sanctions against him were long overdue, stating, “Anduril, my company, has been sanctioned for years. But to finally personally be sanctioned, to be told that all my Chinese assets will be seized, and I can no longer enter China or any of their states that they’ve taken over, I’m actually very proud of that.”
DEFENSE SPENDING COULD RISE FOLLOWING US ARREST OF VENEZUELA’S MADURO, ANALYST SAYS
Luckey argued that the U.S. can no longer afford to maintain “business as usual” in light of China’s aggressive stance toward Taiwan and other nations. He emphasized the need to transform Taiwan into a “prickly porcupine” that would deter potential aggressors.
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When asked about the types of weaponry Anduril is supplying to Taiwan, Luckey detailed a range of land, air, and maritime defense systems. He noted that most of Anduril’s designs are primarily aimed at countering China rather than focusing on Venezuela.
The Altius-600 autonomous UAS at Anduril’s headquarters in Costa Mesa, California, US, on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. (Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Luckey concluded by stating that if any conflict arises involving China, Anduril’s technology will be prominently featured. “If anyone ever goes toe-to-toe with China, you’re going to see a lot of Anduril’s stuff in the mix.”
