Chinese biotech firm WuXi sues Pentagon over military blacklist
Chinese biotechnology company WuXi AppTec filed a lawsuit in Washington federal court on Thursday challenging its inclusion on a Pentagon blacklist of Chinese companies linked to the country's military. The company argues the designation is arbitrary, capricious, and unsupported by facts, calling it the product of political pressure. WuXi claims substantial reputational and operational harm from being branded a national security threat without legal or factual basis. The lawsuit seeks removal from the list, which was expanded three days prior to 188 companies amid heightened US-China geopolitical tensions. The filing also comes less than a month after President Donald Trump met China's Xi Jinping in Beijing, maintaining a delicate trade truce. A Pentagon spokesman declined to discuss pending litigation.
Key facts
- WuXi AppTec sued the US government on Thursday over its inclusion on a Pentagon blacklist.
- The lawsuit was filed in Washington federal court.
- WuXi calls its inclusion arbitrary, capricious, unsupported by facts, and the product of political pressure.
- The company says it suffered substantial reputational and operational harm.
- The lawsuit seeks WuXi's removal from the list.
- The Pentagon expanded the blacklist to 188 companies three days before the lawsuit.
- The blacklist reflects concern that China's military could tap private sector advancements.
- The lawsuit came less than a month after Trump met Xi Jinping in Beijing.
Entities
Institutions
- WuXi AppTec
- US Department of Defence
- Pentagon
Locations
- Washington
- United States
- China
- Beijing