Tag: BYD

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Beyond

US labels BYD, Alibaba, Baidu as Chinese military firms

The United States has added several major Chinese companies, including BYD, Alibaba Group and Baidu, to its list of firms allegedly linked to China’s military, marking a fresh escalation in the ongoing strategic and technology rivalry between the world’s two largest economies.

The designation was made by the US Department of Defense, which maintains a list of companies it believes have connections to the Chinese military. Inclusion on the list does not automatically trigger sanctions or immediate restrictions, but it can discourage US investment and increase regulatory scrutiny of the affected companies.

US officials said the move reflects concerns about the relationship between China’s military establishment and large private-sector companies operating in strategically important industries such as artificial intelligence, advanced technology, data services, electric vehicles and communications.

The latest additions include some of China’s most prominent corporations. BYD is one of the world’s leading electric vehicle manufacturers, while Alibaba and Baidu are major players in e-commerce, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and digital services.

The companies have denied any military links and rejected the Pentagon’s characterisation. They argued that they are commercial enterprises operating independently and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Some firms indicated they would review legal options and engage with US authorities regarding the designation.

China strongly criticised the decision, accusing Washington of politicising trade and technology issues and attempting to suppress Chinese companies under the guise of national security concerns. Beijing said such actions undermine fair competition and disrupt global business operations.

The development comes amid continuing tensions between the United States and China over technology leadership, trade policies, semiconductor restrictions and national security concerns. In recent years, Washington has imposed a range of measures targeting Chinese technology firms, while Beijing has responded with its own regulatory and economic actions.

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Beyond

China’s BYD challenges Trump’s tariffs at US court

Chinese electric vehicle and clean-energy major BYD has taken a significant legal step in the United States, filing a lawsuit against the federal government to challenge tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.

The case, filed in the US Court of International Trade in New York, seeks refunds for import duties paid since April and questions the legal basis used to impose the levies. BYD’s US subsidiaries argue that the tariffs were introduced under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), a law meant for national security emergencies, not for imposing broad trade barriers.

The emergency law does not explicitly allow the government to levy import tariffs. BYD is asking the court to order the repayment of duties already paid and to safeguard its right to future refunds if the tariffs are ruled invalid.

While BYD does not sell passenger cars in the US, it has a growing footprint in the country through its electric buses, trucks, batteries, energy storage systems and solar products. Its manufacturing facility in Lancaster, California, employs around 750 workers, making the company an active contributor to local jobs and clean-energy infrastructure.

The legal move places BYD among a rising number of global companies challenging Trump’s trade policies. The dispute also comes as the US Supreme Court considers a separate case that could ultimately decide whether emergency powers can be used to justify such tariffs.

For Washington, the case revives a sensitive debate around trade protectionism and executive authority. For BYD, it is both a financial and strategic decision, aimed at recovering costs while seeking clarity on the rules governing global trade.

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Corporate

BYD surpasses Tesla as global EV leader in 2025

China’s BYD has overtaken Tesla to become the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) seller in 2025, delivering 2.26 million battery electric cars compared with Tesla’s 1.63 million. BYD’s sales rose 28% year-on-year, while Tesla’s dropped 9%, marking the company’s second consecutive annual decline.

Industry analysts attribute Tesla’s slowdown to reduced US EV subsidies under President Donald Trump and mixed consumer sentiment over Elon Musk’s political positions. Meanwhile, BYD has expanded both domestically and internationally, leveraging competitive pricing, a diverse vehicle lineup, and advanced technology, including its “God’s Eye” autonomous driving system.

Founded in 1995 as a battery company by Wang Chuanfu, BYD has successfully scaled production to compete globally. Analysts note that the global EV market continues to expand, though pricing pressures and policy changes create challenges and opportunities for manufacturers. BYD’s milestone reflects both the rapid growth of Chinese EV makers and the shifting balance of power in the international automotive industry.

BYD’s rise signals the growing dominance of Chinese automakers, including SAIC and Chery, in the global EV market. The shift highlights China’s growing influence in electric mobility, challenging traditional leaders and reshaping the industry’s competitive landscape.

Despite falling sales, Tesla remains the world’s most valuable carmaker with a market capitalization of $1.4 trillion, supported by investor confidence in Musk’s technological innovations, including autonomous vehicles and AI-driven projects like robotaxis.

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