Trump administration criticized after February 13 2026 withdrawal of US list naming Chinese tech firms as military companies

On February 13 2026, the Trump administration briefly published and then withdrew a Section 1260H list in the Federal Register labeling several Chinese firms, including Alibaba, BYD, Baidu and WuXi AppTec, as "Chinese military companies". The Pentagon reportedly requested the removal without explanation, prompting Democratic lawmakers to argue the move weakens US national security and sending mixed signals ahead of an April summit between President Trump and President Xi.