China Condemns American Ban on DeepSeek A.I. in Government Systems

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, October 22, 2026

The United States has banned products from Chinese AI company DeepSeek in federal civilian agencies, citing national security risks related to potential Chinese government access to sensitive data. This move intensifies U.S.-China tensions amid global competition for AI dominance and follows similar restrictions by other countries, while China accuses the U.S. of politicizing technology and vows to defend its enterprises.

China condemned the United States on Tuesday for banning products from the Chinese artificial intelligence company DeepSeek in U.S. government systems, describing the move as discriminatory and unjustified under the pretense of national security. The U.S. order, issued in July but publicly disclosed on Monday, directs the removal of DeepSeek’s technology and related products from civilian executive branch agencies and prohibits future acquisitions, escalating tensions amid a global race for AI leadership.

The Department of Homeland Security cited concerns that DeepSeek could enable China to access sensitive U.S. data, effectively facilitating “academic intelligence” gathering. U.S. officials argued that Chinese laws grant the government broad access to domestic technology companies, posing a significant security risk if DeepSeek’s products remain in use in government systems. The ban reflects longstanding American apprehensions over Chinese technology companies’ potential ties to the Chinese government.

China’s Ministry of Commerce rejected these allegations, asserting that its cybersecurity and data privacy laws are designed to comply with international standards and protect companies operating globally. The ministry urged the U.S. to rescind the restrictions, labeling the national security rationale as an overgeneralization and a politicization of technology and trade issues. Mao Ning, a spokeswoman for China’s Foreign Ministry, pledged that China will staunchly defend the rights of Chinese enterprises in response to such measures.

DeepSeek garnered global attention last year by unveiling a highly advanced AI model that operated with significantly fewer computing resources and lower training costs than previously thought necessary. However, U.S. agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, recently accused the company of misleading the public about the cost and origin of its training data, echoing concerns raised by American AI firms such as Anthropic and OpenAI. China dismissed these accusations as unfounded and part of a broader U.S. attempt to dominate the AI industry, warning it would respond firmly if its companies face continued restrictions.

In addition to security concerns, U.S. officials have accused DeepSeek and other major Chinese AI companies of engaging in aggressive intellectual property practices, including large-scale copying of American AI models, potentially with knowledge and support from the Chinese government. These claims were denied by China’s government.

Amid rising competition, both the United States and China are implementing tighter controls on AI technology exports. Last week, China proposed new licensing and export rules to shield its domestic AI sector, mirroring some American policies. The Chinese framework, which is not yet finalized, currently exempts publicly released open-source models but imposes registration requirements on other listed technologies.

DeepSeek, along with Chinese firms such as Moonshot AI and Alibaba, has popularized open-source AI models that developers can use freely, contrasting with U.S. companies that often charge for access. This has made Chinese AI tools attractive to American businesses seeking cost-effective alternatives, posing challenges to homegrown AI companies ahead of major public offerings.

While several U.S. federal and state agencies, including the Navy, Defense Information Systems Agency, NASA, and states such as Texas, New York, and Virginia, have restricted or banned DeepSeek’s products, the specific extent of DeepSeek’s integration within U.S. government systems remains unclear. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency confirmed that top officials across the Department of Defense, Homeland Security, and the National Intelligence Program have issued orders for agencies to identify and remove DeepSeek’s technology.

Internationally, other countries have taken similar steps; France and Australia banned DeepSeek technology from government systems last year, and Italy restricted its availability on app stores citing data privacy concerns.

DeepSeek did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Meanwhile, the broader AI rivalry between the United States and China continues to intensify, underscoring the complex interplay between technological innovation, national security, and international trade.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.