China's Exit Bans on Americans Spark Fears for Foreign Business Amid Rising Tensions

China has imposed exit bans on at least two Americans—a U.S. government employee and a Wells Fargo banker—preventing them from leaving the country. Chinese authorities claim the banker is involved in a criminal case, while the government worker was traveling in a personal capacity. These actions have heightened concerns among Western businesses about the risks of operating in China, leading Wells Fargo to suspend all business travel to the country. The U.S. State Department has expressed alarm, warning that such measures could further strain already tense U.S.-China relations. The incidents underscore the growing use of exit bans as leverage or legal tools, raising anxiety for foreign executives and multinational firms in China.