Alibaba wins US court injunction against Pentagon lobbying restrictions

Alibaba Pentagon 1260H list US-China relations Department of Defense

A US federal judge in San Jose, California, has granted Alibaba Group Holding a preliminary injunction against certain Department of Defense restrictions. The ruling prevents the US government from denying Pentagon contracts to companies simply because they engage in lobbying activities for Alibaba.

The injunction addresses a provision that effectively forced US lobbying firms to choose between representing Alibaba and working with US defense contractors. By lifting this restriction, Alibaba can retain lobbyists who also represent Pentagon contractors, which may assist the company in its ongoing legal battle to be removed from the Pentagon’s “1260H list.”

Alibaba originally sued the US government in June after being added to the list of Chinese companies allegedly aiding the People’s Liberation Army. The company maintains that the designation is without factual or legal basis, asserting that its operations focus on retail, logistics, and enterprise technology rather than military or intelligence sectors.

While the injunction provides a legal victory regarding lobbying ties, it does not remove Alibaba from the Pentagon’s blacklist. The designation restricts the Department of Defense from direct or indirect procurement of goods, services, or technology from listed entities, a restriction set to expand to third-party purchases in 2027.

Entities

Alibaba Group Holding · People's Liberation Army · San Jose · United States Department of Defense

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] Alibaba denies having any ties to the Chinese military. sputniknews.cn · www.ithome.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The injunction does not remove Alibaba from the Pentagon's 1260H blacklist. www.businesstimes.com.sg
[○ 1 SOURCE] The blacklist restricts Pentagon purchases of listed companies' products through third parties starting in 2027.
[● 3 SOURCES] The Pentagon added Alibaba to the 1260H list on June 8. www.businesstimes.com.sg · www.ithome.com
[● 4 SOURCES] A federal judge in San Jose, California, granted Alibaba a preliminary injunction. sputniknews.cn · www.businesstimes.com.sg · www.ithome.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Alibaba filed a lawsuit against the US government in June 2026. sputniknews.cn · www.ithome.com