Nine Republican US lawmakers urgently pressed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth this week to blacklist China’s Xiaomi, DeepSeek AI, and BOE Technology. They sent a letter to the Pentagon chief on Thursday to demand adding these firms to the Pentagon’s Section 1260H list, which flags companies allegedly aiding China’s military modernization efforts. The group of lawmakers sent their letter immediately after President Trump signed a $1 trillion defense bill into law.
Consequently, this designation carries no formal sanctions but powerfully influences Department of War suppliers and contractors nationwide, with major Chinese entities like Tencent and battery giant CATL already face this scrutiny despite legal challenges.
Moreover, Reuters previously revealed DeepSeek helped China’s military bypass US export controls while BOE supplies displays for Apple iPhones. The lawmakers further urged cutting all Chinese display makers from US supply chains by 2030.
Broader Blacklist Expansion
Additionally, congressional leaders also recommended adding WuXi AppTec, GenScript, and seven other technology firms to the military-linked roster, with signatories including influential committee chairs like Rep. John Moolenaar and Sen. Rick Scott. Meanwhile, Trump’s directive to rename the Defense Department “War Department” awaits Congressional approval.
These moves underscore escalating US efforts to counter China’s technological ambitions through targeted corporate restrictions. Lawmakers argue such actions protect critical American security interests from foreign exploitation, with the Pentagon now faces pressure to swiftly review these high-stakes recommendations.
