Senator Rick Scott is ramping up pressure on the Trump administration to blacklist several major Chinese corporations, arguing they operate as extensions of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
In a letter sent yesterday to Department of War (DoW) Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Florida Republican demanded the immediate addition of Alibaba Group, Baidu, and electric vehicle manufacturer BYD to the government’s “1260H list.”
The list identifies entities operating in the United States that are allegedly linked to the Chinese military.
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Scott’s request comes amid heightened concerns over national security, with the Senator citing the recent “Salt Typhoon” and F5 hacks as proof of Beijing’s aggressive cyber posture.
“Communist China will stop at nothing and leave no tool untouched to undermine our critical infrastructure,” Scott wrote. He argues that through China’s “civil-military fusion” programs, these ostensibly private companies are forced to share technology and data with the state.
The letter details specific allegations against the tech giants:
- Alibaba: Scott claims the e-commerce behemoth has provided the PLA with “zero-day” software vulnerabilities and sensitive user data, including IP addresses and payment records.
- Baidu: The Senator points to the company’s mapping technology, which he alleges is embedded in systems used to surveil Uyghurs in Xinjiang. He also noted Baidu’s links to a U.S.-sanctioned firm aiding China’s nuclear program.
- BYD: Highlighting that the Pentagon is already set to ban BYD battery purchases by 2027, Scott warned that Chinese intelligence laws could force the automaker to hand over data on American drivers.
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Scott urged Secretary Hegseth to finalize these additions during the department’s upcoming annual update to the list, framing the move as essential for protecting American consumer data from adversarial regimes.
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