China rejects U.S. demand to ban DeepSeek amid tech dispute

On October 20, 2026, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ma Ning addressed reports that the U.S. government had requested federal agencies to stop using DeepSeek, an AI tool developed by a Chinese company. Ma stated that China opposes the politicization of technology and economic issues, emphasizing the need to protect the legitimate rights of Chinese enterprises. The U.S. had previously moved to restrict DeepSeek from federal agencies and contracts, a decision that has drawn criticism from Chinese officials. This latest statement from the Foreign Ministry underscores the ongoing tensions between the two nations over technology and trade policies. The situation highlights broader concerns about how countries are navigating the global AI landscape, with both sides accusing each other of unfair practices. The dispute reflects a larger pattern of geopolitical rivalry in the tech sector, where national security and economic interests are increasingly intertwined.