WASHINGTON - China-based DJI sued the US Defense Department on Oct 18 for adding the drone maker to a list of companies allegedly working with Beijing’s military, saying the designation is wrong and has caused the company significant financial harm.
Being placed on the list represents a warning to US entities and companies about the national security risks of conducting business with them. The company added “US and international customers have terminated existing contracts with DJI and refuse to enter into new ones.”DJI said on Oct 18 it filed the lawsuit after the Defense Department did not engage with the company over the designation for more than 16 months, saying it “had no alternative other than to seek relief in federal court.”
Many major Chinese firms are on the list, including aviation company AVIC, memory chip maker YMTC, China Mobile 0941.HK, and energy company CNOOC.