3 days ago
CXMT Sues Pentagon Over Chinese Military Company Designation
ChangXin Memory Technologies, also called CXMT, makes memory chips used in many electronic devices.
The U.S. government put CXMT on a list of Chinese companies it says assist China’s military.
CXMT says that is wrong because it makes chips for civilian and business customers.
The company has now sued the U.S. Department of Defense in an American court.
CXMT says the decision was unfair and was not supported by enough evidence.
It also says the listing has hurt its reputation and business opportunities.
The company says the Pentagon briefly planned to remove it from the list but changed course the same day.
CXMT wants a judge to cancel the designation.
The Department of Defense said it does not comment on ongoing lawsuits.
China’s top memory-chip maker, ChangXin Memory Technologies, sued the U.S. Department of Defense over its designation as a Chinese military company.
CXMT says it makes DRAM chips for civilian and commercial use and has no affiliation with China’s military.
The company argues the designation was arbitrary, unsupported by evidence, and violated its due-process rights.
The designation, first issued in January 2025 and retained in a June update, has allegedly caused commercial and reputational harm.
CXMT wants the designation overturned and its name removed from the Pentagon list, which can trigger government-contracting restrictions.
- Who
- ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) sued the U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg, and Assistant Secretary Michael Cadenazzi.
- What
- CXMT is seeking to overturn its designation as a Chinese military company and be removed from the Pentagon list.
- Where
- The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
- When
- The designation began in January 2025; the lawsuit was filed on a Friday, and the Trump administration retained the designation in a June update.
- Why
- CXMT says it produces chips for civilian and commercial use and that the designation caused reputational and commercial harm while violating its due-process rights.
CXMT’s Position
U.S. Government Position
Basis for the designation
CXMT’s Position
CXMT says the Pentagon’s decision was arbitrary, lacked evidentiary support, and was not supported by the factual record or applicable law.
U.S. Government Position
The Department of Defense designated CXMT as a Chinese military company but said it does not comment on pending or ongoing litigation.
Military affiliation
CXMT’s Position
CXMT says it has no affiliation with China’s military and designs, produces, and sells DRAM chips for civilian and commercial use.
U.S. Government Position
The Pentagon’s designation places CXMT on a list of companies the United States says are aiding Beijing’s military.
Impact of the listing
CXMT’s Position
CXMT says the designation has caused continuous reputational and commercial harm and could interfere with its long-term business interests, including entering the U.S. market.
U.S. Government Position
The list can trigger U.S. government-contracting restrictions, though the Department of Defense did not comment on CXMT’s specific claims.
Key facts
- Company
- ChangXin Memory Technologies, China’s top maker of dynamic random-access memory chips.
- Products
- DRAM chips used in smartphones, personal computers, servers, artificial intelligence systems, and other electronics.
- Designation
- The Pentagon designated CXMT a Chinese military company in January 2025.
- Lawsuit location
- U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
- Requested remedy
- CXMT wants the designation overturned and its name removed from the Pentagon list.
- Company claim
- CXMT says it is not affiliated with the Chinese military and makes chips for civilian and commercial use.
- Reported revenue growth
- CXMT’s revenue increased 874% in the first half, according to the article.
Quotes
ChangXin Memory Technologies
Chinese memory chipmaker and plaintiff in the lawsuit
“CXMT designs, produces, and sells its DRAM chips for civilian and commercial use, not for military use.”
CNBC TV 18
“CXMT is not affiliated with the Chinese military.”
CNBC TV 18
U.S. Department of Defense
U.S. government department named as a defendant
“As a matter of policy, the Department does not comment on pending or ongoing litigation.”
CNBC TV 18
Sources
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