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U.S. tags Chinese tech firms military; donors tied to Biden

6/20/2026

27 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. Department of War designated Alibaba, Baidu and BYD as military companies on June 8, a label the firms deny affects their U.S. business.
Employees of the firms donated about $2.6 million to Democratic committees, with $850,000 going to Biden-linked groups.
Governor Gavin Newsom accepted $50,000 from a BYD executive, a firm later awarded a state contract.
The 1260H list bars direct contracts after June 30 and extends indirect bans to 2027.

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Story summary

The U.S. Department of War designated Alibaba, Baidu and BYD as military companies on June 8, a label the firms deny affects their U.S. business.
Employees of the firms donated about $2.6 million to Democratic committees, with $850,000 going to Biden-linked groups.
Governor Gavin Newsom accepted $50,000 from a BYD executive, a firm later awarded a state contract.
The 1260H list bars direct contracts after June 30 and extends indirect bans to 2027.