Nine Republican lawmakers asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to add DeepSeek, Xiaomi and BOE to the Pentagon’s Section 1260H list — a roster the U.S. military uses to flag firms it believes may be aiding China’s armed forces. The request followed the signing of an approximately $1 trillion defense spending bill. Xiaomi denied any military ties, Reuters has reported allegations against DeepSeek, and lawmakers also proposed adding a slate of other Chinese tech and semiconductor companies.
Nine Republican Lawmakers Urge Pentagon To Add DeepSeek, Xiaomi And BOE To Section 1260H Over Alleged Military Links
FILE PHOTO: A DeepSeek AI sign is seen at a building where the Chinese start-up's office is located in Beijing, China, February 19, 2025. REUTERS/Florence Lo/File Photo
Nine Republican U.S. lawmakers wrote to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urging the Pentagon to add a group of Chinese technology companies — including AI firm DeepSeek, smartphone maker Xiaomi and display manufacturer BOE Technology Group — to the Pentagon’s Section 1260H list of entities the lawmakers say are assisting China’s military.
The letter was delivered late Thursday, after President Donald Trump signed an approximately $1 trillion defense spending bill into law. The lawmakers asked the Department of Defense to update the 1260H roster to reflect what they described as emerging national security risks.
What Section 1260H Means
Section 1260H identifies companies the U.S. military views as supporting or enabling China’s armed forces. Inclusion on the list does not by itself impose formal sanctions, but it sends a clear signal to Pentagon suppliers and other U.S. government contractors about perceived national-security concerns. Some firms previously designated have challenged their listings in U.S. courts.
Responses And Reporting
"Xiaomi is not a Chinese military company nor is it affiliated with any Chinese military entities," the company said in response. "The Company has always been and continues to be a consumer products company. It provides products and services for civilian and commercial use only."
Reuters previously reported that a senior U.S. official accused DeepSeek of aiding China’s military and attempting to evade U.S. export controls. BOE — a major display maker and supplier to Apple for iPhones — was among several display firms the lawmakers want phased out of U.S. supply chains by 2030.
Other Firms Recommended For Addition
- WuXi AppTec
- GenScript Group
- RoboSense
- Livox
- Unitree Robotics
- CloudMinds
- Hua Hong Semiconductor
- Shennan Circuit Co
- Kingsemi Co
The letter was signed by Senator Rick Scott (R-Florida) and Representatives John Moolenaar (R-Michigan), Rick Crawford (R-Arkansas), Andrew Garbarino (R-New York), Rob Wittman (R-Virginia), Bill Huizenga (R-Michigan), Dusty Johnson (R-South Dakota), Darin LaHood (R-Illinois) and Andy Ogles (R-Tennessee). Reuters reporting was credited in the original coverage; the story was edited by William Maclean.
