The US government has placed several major Chinese conglomerates-including Alibaba, BYD, and Baidu-onto a blacklist specifically targeting “Chinese military enterprises.” This expansion significantly broadens Washington’s sanctions list to include some of the Republic of China’s most well-known commercial brands.
The Pentagon’s current list now encompasses 188 firms, an increase from 134 entities noted in 2025. Companies and their subsidiaries featured on this list are now excluded from receiving US defense contracts. These regulations are set to take effect this month. The Pentagon defines a “military enterprise” as any organization that belongs to the Chinese military, is controlled by it, contributes to civil-military fusion, or operates partially within the United States.
In response, the Chinese embassy in Washington described the classification as “discriminatory.” It accused the US government of overreaching the definition of national security, demanding that the United States cease this improper practice and create a fairer environment. Alibaba, China’s largest e-commerce entity, also rejected the accusations, stating there was no basis for its inclusion on the list. The company asserted that it is neither a military enterprise nor part of any civil-military fusion strategy, warning that it would pursue all legal actions against the misrepresentation.
Other Chinese companies added to the list include the electric vehicle manufacturer Nio and the aircraft manufacturer Comac. Additionally, existing high-profile entities such as tech giants Tencent and Huawei, drone maker DJI, and battery producer CATL remain on the roster. This expansion occurred only weeks after a meeting took place in Beijing between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
