BEIJING - China has declared "strong dissatisfaction" with the United States' decision to designate several major technology firms as entities aiding Beijing's military. The Commerce Ministry issued its statement Saturday, following the Defense Department's Monday update to its restricted list.
The updated roster targets high-profile corporate leaders including e-commerce titan Alibaba, search engine provider Baidu, electric vehicle manufacturers BYD and NIO, and solar panel producers Trina Solar and JA Solar Technology.
This move reflects escalating security concerns from Washington amid intensifying geopolitical competition. The designation supersedes a previous list from early 2025 and arrives just one month after President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping met in Beijing, where they maintained a delicate trade-war truce.
Chinese officials argued that the Pentagon's actions ignored the consensus reached between the two leaders. In its statement, the Commerce Ministry urged Washington to immediately withdraw the measures and return to a constructive strategic relationship.
"If Chinese firms are not treated fairly," the ministry warned, "Beijing will inevitably retaliate resolutely and forcefully."
Under current US law, companies placed on this list face significant restrictions starting in 2027. The Defense Department will be prohibited from contracting directly with these firms and barred from purchasing their products or services through third parties.
The sanctions highlight the fragility of recent diplomatic efforts, signaling that despite high-level talks, underlying tensions regarding technology transfer and national security remain unresolved.