Alibaba Sues Pentagon Over PLA Blacklist, Seeks Removal From 1 US Defense List
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · Jun 23
Alibaba Sues Pentagon Over PLA Blacklist, Seeks Removal From 1 US Defense List
3 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · Jun 23
Summary
Alibaba filed suit Tuesday in federal court in San Jose, California, seeking to be removed from a Pentagon blacklist that labels it a supporter of China’s military.
The Hangzhou-based company said the Defense Department added it to the list without substantial evidence or explanation, calling the designation arbitrary and unjustified.
Alibaba argued the move violated constitutional due process and infringed its free-speech rights, turning to the US court system to challenge the designation.
The case opens a new front in US-China corporate tensions, with the e-commerce group contesting a national-security label that could deepen scrutiny of its business.
Following Xiaomi's victory, can Alibaba's lawsuit expose the Pentagon's secret evidence?
Is the Pentagon's blacklist a shield for security or a sword in an economic war?
When tech giants claim US constitutional rights, who defines the line with national security?
U.S. Expands Blacklist to 188 Chinese Firms: Alibaba’s Legal Challenge and the New Era of Tech Decoupling
Overview
On June 8, 2026, the U.S. Department of Defense expanded its blacklist of Chinese Military Companies to 188 entities, adding major firms like Alibaba, Baidu, and BYD. Companies on this list are immediately barred from U.S. defense contracts, with even broader restrictions coming in 2027. Alibaba denied any military ties and quickly filed a lawsuit against the Pentagon to challenge its inclusion. In response, the Chinese government condemned the U.S. move, calling it politically motivated economic coercion. This escalation highlights growing tensions and legal battles between the U.S. and China over technology and security concerns.