China Condemns US DeepSeek Ban as Trump-Xi Talks Loom

Key points

• DHS made public a July 24, 2026 order requiring federal civilian agencies to remove DeepSeek technology and prohibiting new procurement.
• The ban covers third-party products built on DeepSeek models, citing risks of data transfer to China and security vulnerabilities.
• China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning accused the US of politicizing technology and overgeneralizing national security concerns.
• The order excludes the Department of Defense but applies to agencies like the Treasury, State, and Justice departments.
• Executive agencies can request compliance exceptions by submitting written justifications to DHS within 60 days.

Background

DeepSeek emerged in early 2025, leading to various US restrictions. In March 2025, Commerce Department bureaus banned it on government devices, and the Defense Information Systems Agency blocked access in January 2025. Congress restricted its use in intelligence systems in December 2025. The current DHS order formalizes these restrictions for civilian agencies.

How outlets are covering it

AP and Fox News report on China's diplomatic response, highlighting Mao Ning's criticism of the US 'politicizing' technology. CNBC emphasizes the security rationale, noting DHS concerns about malware and data leaks to Chinese authorities. All sources agree on the ban's scope but differ in emphasis: Fox focuses on the diplomatic fallout ahead of Trump-Xi talks, while CNBC details the technical vulnerabilities cited in the order.

Why it matters

This ban escalates the US-China AI competition, potentially impacting global tech supply chains and diplomatic relations. It signals a broader US strategy to isolate Chinese AI from critical government infrastructure, setting the stage for high-level negotiations in November.

What to watch

Agencies have 60 days to request exceptions. The issue is expected to be a key agenda item in the planned November meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.