US Withdraws Controversial List of Chinese Military-Linked Companies
The TRUMP administration faced swift backlash after briefly publishing and then retracting an updated list of Chinese companies allegedly tied to the People's Liberation Army. The document, mandated under Section 1260H of the National Defense Authorization Act, appeared on the Federal Register for mere hours on February 13, 2026 before Pentagon officials requested its removal without explanation.
Notable firms named in the delisted document include electric vehicle giant BYD, tech titans Alibaba and Tencent, search leader Baidu, and battery manufacturer CATL. While the designation carries no immediate legal consequences, it signals potential future sanctions and inflicts reputational damage. Biotech firm WuXi AppTec faces operational disruptions under the Biosecure Act due to its inclusion.