The Pentagon is Monitoring These Chinese Companies, and Investors Should Take Note.
Author Background: Jonathan E. Hillman is a senior fellow for geoeconomics at the Council on Foreign Relations and has authored "The Digital Silk Road: China’s Quest to Wire the World and Win the Future."
Focus on Geoeconomics: Hillman's work emphasizes the intersection of economics and international relations, particularly in the context of China's global influence through digital infrastructure.
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- Stock Price Impact: On November 26, 2025, Baidu's stock fell by $1.54, or 1.3%, to close at $116.34 after the Pentagon listed the company as aiding the Chinese military, resulting in investor losses.
- Further Volatility: On February 13, 2026, Baidu was again listed by the Pentagon as aiding the Chinese military, but the list was withdrawn minutes later, causing nearly a 5% intraday drop in stock price, further harming investors.
- Legal Firm Involvement: Glancy Prongay Wolke & Rotter LLP is investigating on behalf of Baidu investors regarding potential securities law violations, highlighting the legal commitment to protecting investor rights and recovering losses.
- Whistleblower Program: The firm encourages individuals with non-public information to utilize the SEC Whistleblower Program, which offers rewards of up to 30% of any successful recovery, underscoring the importance of investor protection.

Author Background: Jonathan E. Hillman is a senior fellow for geoeconomics at the Council on Foreign Relations and has authored "The Digital Silk Road: China’s Quest to Wire the World and Win the Future."
Focus on Geoeconomics: Hillman's work emphasizes the intersection of economics and international relations, particularly in the context of China's global influence through digital infrastructure.
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- Regulatory Compliance Demand: China's State Administration for Market Regulation summoned leading internet platforms like Alibaba, Baidu, and JD.com, mandating strict adherence to anti-unfair competition laws, e-commerce laws, consumer rights protection laws, and pricing laws to ensure fair market competition.
- Warning Against Cutthroat Competition: The regulator urged companies to eliminate 'involution-style competition,' which refers to cutthroat rivalry, and called for collaboration to maintain a healthy market environment, promoting sustainable development and industry stability.
- Participating Companies: Other firms such as ByteDance's Douyin, Tencent, Meituan, and Taobao also took part in the discussions, highlighting the regulator's focus on the entire industry and the importance of compliance.
- Impact on Market Environment: This regulatory action may have profound implications for internet companies' operational models, prompting them to prioritize compliance and cooperation in their competitive strategies, thereby influencing the future market landscape.
- Escalating US-China Tensions: The addition of Alibaba and BYD to the 'Chinese Military Companies' list is likely to escalate trade tensions ahead of the Trump-Xi summit, potentially impacting future economic cooperation and policy directions between the two nations.
- Reputational Risks: While being placed on the list does not carry immediate legal consequences, it poses reputational risks for the companies, which could lead to future punitive measures from the US, affecting investor confidence and market performance.
- National Security Concerns: US intelligence agencies expressed concerns about Alibaba's potential national security threat, leading to its designation three months ago, reflecting increased scrutiny on Chinese tech firms that may impact their international operations.
- BYD's Legal Battle: BYD's advancements in battery technology have solidified its position in the EV market, while the company has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over 100% tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, demonstrating its resistance in a challenging policy environment.
- Stock Price Impact: On November 26, 2025, Baidu's stock fell by 1.3% to close at $116.34 per share after the Pentagon identified the company as aiding the Chinese military, resulting in significant investor losses.
- Legal Investigation Initiated: The Law Offices of Howard G. Smith are investigating potential violations of federal securities laws on behalf of Baidu investors, aiming to provide legal support and avenues for claims to recover losses.
- Market Reaction Intensified: On February 13, 2026, Baidu was again listed as aiding the Chinese military by the Pentagon, which was quickly retracted, causing the stock to drop nearly 5% during intraday trading, further exacerbating investor losses.
- Investor Rights Protection: The law firm is urging all investors who purchased Baidu securities during this period to contact them to explore potential claims, ensuring that investors' legal rights are upheld.








