US lawmakers send letter to Pentagon demanding ‘ban’ on DeepSeek, Xiaomi and 15 other Chinese tech companies: Full list

A group of 9 high-ranking US lawmakers has urged the Department of War (The Pentagon) to blacklist a total of 17 prominent Chinese technology firms, including DeepSeek – the company that stunned global tech sector with the launch of its R1 model in January 2025, and smartphone giant Xiaomi – a major tech players, specifically in the smartphone market, in countries like China and India. In a letter addressed to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the lawmakers urged the Pentagon to add these companies to the 1260H list, which is a roster of entities identified as “Chinese military-linked”. The list aims to prevent US taxpayer dollars from funding Beijing’s military.

Who all signed the letter

The letter argues that these companies represent the “next logical tranche” of contributors to China’s military-civil fusion strategy. These lawmakers include:

• John Moolenaar, Chairman, Select Committee on China
• Rick Scott, Chairman, Senate Special Committee on Aging
• Eric A. “Rick” Crawford, Chairman, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
• Andrew R. Garbarino, Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security
• Rob Wittman, Chairman, House Armed Services Committee, Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee
• Bill Huizenga, Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, South & Central Asia Subcommittee
• Dusty Johnson, Chairman, Committee on Agriculture, Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development Subcommittee
• Darin LaHood, Chairman, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Subcommittee on NSA and Cyber
• Andy Ogles, Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee

“The firms listed below represent military-civil fusion contributors central to PLA modernization, internal-security operations, and power-projection capabilities. Their designation under Section 1260H would directly support Congress’ intent that U.S. taxpayer funds not underwrite PRC military-industrial and internal-security or intelligence capabilities,” the letter said.

The latest list of companies targeted by US lawmakers

The petition covers a broad spectrum of critical technologies, from AI to robotics and semiconductors, and even biotechnology.

Biotech, Genomics, and Life Sciences Manufacturing

• WuXi AppTec, WuXi Biologics, and WuXi XDC
• GenScript Group (GenScript and affiliated CDMO entities)

Sensing, Surveillance, Robotics, and Embodied AI

• Tiandy Technologies
• Unitree Robotics
• Livox
• LeiShen
• RoboSense
• CloudMinds
• Beijing Humanoid Robotics Innovation Center

Consumer Smart-Device Ecosystems

• Xiaomi Corporation

Large-Scale Artificial Intelligence Model Developers

• DeepSeek

Display and Imaging Components

• BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd. (BOE)
• Tianma Microelectronics and its major display subsidiaries.

Semiconductors, Advanced Materials, and Manufacturing Equipment

• Hua Hong Semiconductor
• Shennan Circuit Company Limited
• Kingsemi Company Limited

Power Batteries & Energy Storage

• Gotion High-Tech