China on Saturday said it is "strongly dissatisfied" after the U.S. Department of Defense added leading Chinese firms — including Alibaba, Baidu, BYD and NIO — to a list of companies it says support China’s military. The DoD later included solar-panel makers Trina Solar and JA Solar Technology. Beijing urged the U.S. to reverse the measures and warned of "resolute and forceful" retaliation if firms are treated unfairly. U.S. contracting restrictions on listed companies take effect in 2027.
China Condemns Pentagon's Addition Of Alibaba, Baidu, BYD And NIO To Military-Linked List, Warns Of Retaliation
FILE PHOTO: Pentagon in Washington DC
BEIJING, June 13 (Reuters) - China on Saturday voiced strong dissatisfaction after the U.S. Department of Defense updated a list identifying companies it says support Beijing’s military and industrial capabilities, the commerce ministry said.
The long-awaited Pentagon update, published on Monday, named major technology and industrial groups including e-commerce giant Alibaba, internet search provider Baidu and automakers BYD and NIO. The DoD later expanded the list to include solar-panel manufacturers Trina Solar and JA Solar Technology.
Beijing's Response
In a strongly worded statement, the commerce ministry said Beijing "is strongly dissatisfied and firmly opposes this." The ministry urged Washington to "immediately stop its erroneous practices, immediately withdraw relevant measures and return to the correct track of building a constructive strategic and stable China-U.S. relationship."
FILE PHOTO: Illustration shows U.S. and Chinese flags
"If Chinese firms are not treated fairly, Beijing will inevitably retaliate resolutely and forcefully," the statement warned.
Why It Matters
The updated roster covers a broad swathe of China’s leading technology and industrial companies that Washington says are linked to Beijing’s military modernization. The move reflects rising U.S. national security concerns amid intense geopolitical competition between the two powers.
The Pentagon's list replaces an earlier version from early 2025. The timing — about a month after Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping met in Beijing and agreed to a fragile trade truce — prompted the commerce ministry to say the action "ignored the consensus" reached by the two leaders.
Under U.S. law, the Defense Department will be prohibited from contracting directly with companies on the list and will face limits on procuring their products or services indirectly through third parties beginning in 2027, potentially affecting global supply chains and commercial ties.
Reporting by Reuters Beijing newsroom and Greg Torode in Hong Kong.
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