On Monday, the US government updated its list of companies it believes are aiding China's military, adding major tech firms including Alibaba, Baidu, and BYD. This move follows a recent meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, indicating heightened tensions amid ongoing geopolitical competition. The new list, which includes companies like WuXi AppTec and Unitree, reflects Washington's concerns about the role of these firms in advancing China's military capabilities. The Pentagon's designation prohibits the Defense Department from contracting with these companies starting later this month, which could have significant financial implications for the firms involved. China's embassy in Washington criticized the list as discriminatory, asserting that Chinese companies comply with local regulations. The updated list serves as a reality check on US-China relations, emphasizing that the US is viewing the entire technology sector as strategically contested, according to experts.