The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday criticized the U.S. government’s decision to ban employees from using homegrown tech company DeepSeek on government-issued devices, calling it an unjustified politicization of technology and trade. The move follows a Reuters report revealing the U.S. Department of Commerce’s restrictions, which have escalated tensions in Sino-U.S. tech relations.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning emphasized China’s opposition to what it views as the misuse of national security claims to suppress foreign competitors. “China consistently opposes the overextension of the national security concept and the politicization of economic, trade, and technological issues,” Mao stated during a press briefing. She added that Beijing would take steps to “firmly protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.”
The dispute highlights growing friction between the two nations over technology leadership, with analysts warning that such measures could disrupt cross-border innovation and investment flows. DeepSeek, a rising player in China’s tech ecosystem, has not publicly commented on the ban.
Business professionals operating in Asia expressed concerns about the broader implications for tech collaboration, while academics noted the incident reflects deepening geopolitical divides shaping global supply chains. The Chinese mainland’s assertive response signals its commitment to shielding domestic industries from perceived external pressures.
