U.S. Lawmakers Urge Pentagon to Blacklist More Chinese Tech Firms Over Military Ties

A group of nine Republican U.S. lawmakers has formally urged the Pentagon to expand its list of Chinese companies accused of supporting China’s military, intensifying scrutiny of Beijing-linked technology firms amid rising U.S.–China tensions. In a letter sent late Thursday to U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, the lawmakers called for several high-profile Chinese technology companies to be added to the Section 1260H list, a designation that identifies entities allegedly assisting the Chinese military.

The request came shortly after President Donald Trump signed a must-pass military spending bill worth approximately $1 trillion into law, underscoring the heightened focus on national security and defense supply chains. Among the companies the lawmakers want added are artificial intelligence firm DeepSeek, smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi, and electronic display giant BOE Technology Group. The 1260H list already includes major Chinese firms such as Tencent Holdings and electric vehicle battery maker CATL.

While placement on the Section 1260H list does not amount to formal sanctions, it serves as a strong signal to the Department of Defense, the so-called Department of War, and other U.S. government agencies about the perceived risks of doing business with the listed companies. Inclusion can also influence government procurement decisions and broader supply chain strategies. Some Chinese companies previously added to the list have challenged the designation in U.S. courts.

According to Reuters, a senior U.S. official said earlier this year that DeepSeek had aided China’s military and worked to bypass U.S. export controls. BOE Technology Group, a known supplier to Apple’s iPhone production chain, was also cited as part of a broader push by lawmakers to remove certain Chinese display manufacturers from U.S. defense-related supply chains by 2030.

The lawmakers also recommended adding a wider group of Chinese firms, including WuXi AppTec, GenScript Group, RoboSense, Livox, Unitree Robotics, CloudMinds, Hua Hong Semiconductor, Shennan Circuit Co, and Kingsemi Co. The letter was signed by prominent Republican lawmakers, including Rep. John Moolenaar, Sen. Rick Scott, and several members who lead key congressional committees, highlighting growing bipartisan concern over Chinese technology and national security risks.

This latest move reflects Washington’s ongoing efforts to limit potential military and strategic advantages gained by China through advanced technologies, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, robotics, and electronics manufacturing.