US Adds BYD to Military-Linked List, China Strongly Opposes

The U.S. Department of Defense placed electric‑vehicle maker BYD, along with Alibaba and Baidu, on its Section 1260H list that identifies firms with ties to the Chinese military, barring them from U.S. defense contracts. The move sparked a sharp protest from China, which said the designation ignored a consensus reached at the recent summit between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping and undermined bilateral trade interests. A Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesperson argued the United States had “abused state power” and called the action unjustified. BYD’s chairman Wang Chuanfu has recently asserted the company’s ambition to become the world’s largest automaker, noting sales of about 4.6 million vehicles last year and a push to expand exports. The listing has added a reputational challenge for BYD as it seeks broader global market share, while Chinese officials defend the firm’s civilian status.