Nine US lawmakers are calling on the Pentagon to expand its entity list by adding several major Chinese technology companies allegedly linked to the Chinese military. This bipartisan group, in a letter addressed to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, specifically named AI firm DeepSeek, smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi, and display maker BOE Technology Group, one of the largest suppliers of screens worldwide, according to a report by Reuters.
The lawmakers assert that the companies’ purported ties to China’s armed forces merit increased scrutiny and formal inclusion on the Defense Department’s list of Chinese military companies. This list already comprises notable firms such as Tencent, the global technology giant known for publishing the popular video game PUBG, and CATL, a leading electric vehicle battery manufacturer.
While being placed on this list does not automatically trigger sanctions or fines, it can have significant repercussions for the affected companies. As Reuters noted, such a designation can adversely influence global sales and international contracts by conveying the US government’s stance to partners and investors.
Concerns regarding DeepSeek have been particularly pronounced. A separate Reuters report from June indicated that the firm had allegedly aided the Chinese military by circumventing US export controls and utilizing shell companies in Southeast Asia to obtain advanced US-made chips. Additionally, it was reported that the US government has previously accused DeepSeek of sharing data from American users with the Chinese government.
The potential inclusion of BOE is also noteworthy, given its critical role as a supplier of smartphone displays, including screens used in devices by Apple, which are relied upon by numerous US government officials. The company reportedly maintains direct business dealings with the Pentagon.
In addition to the aforementioned companies, the lawmakers’ letter also identified other entities, including Unitree, a robotics firm recognized as a leader in developing learning-capable humanoid and industrial robots. The growing scrutiny of these companies reflects increasing concerns around national security and technology supply chains.
The Pentagon has yet to publicly respond to the lawmakers’ letter. Should the department decide to expand the list, it could further exacerbate tensions between Washington and Beijing over technology and national security issues. As the dynamics of the global technology landscape shift, the implications of these developments are likely to resonate across industries and international relations.
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