According to CNBC, a White House memo alleges that Alibaba provides technology support for Chinese military “operations” against targets in the United States. The Financial Times originally reported the memo but admitted it couldn’t independently verify the claims and didn’t publish the full document. The timing of the memo’s release remains unclear, and the White House hasn’t responded to requests for comment. Alibaba issued a forceful denial, calling the assertions “completely false” and questioning the motivation behind what it described as a “malicious PR operation.” The company suggested the leak came from someone trying to undermine President Trump’s recent trade deal with China.
Unverified claims in a sensitive moment
Here’s the thing about anonymous memos – they’re incredibly difficult to verify, and the timing here couldn’t be more suspicious. We’re talking about allegations surfacing right after a major trade deal between the world’s two largest economies. And the FT itself admits it couldn’t independently confirm any of this. That’s a pretty big red flag when you’re making accusations that could seriously damage a $600 billion company’s reputation and international business relationships.
Alibaba’s defensive stance
Alibaba isn’t just denying these claims – they’re going on the offensive. Calling it a “malicious PR operation” and pointing directly at Trump’s trade deal suggests they see this as politically motivated. Basically, they’re arguing that someone wants to sabotage the recent diplomatic progress. And honestly, given how much is at stake here, that theory isn’t completely far-fetched. The company has billions of dollars in US investments and partnerships that could evaporate if these allegations gain traction.
The bigger picture
Look, this isn’t happening in a vacuum. We’ve seen similar accusations against other Chinese tech giants like Huawei, where national security concerns have led to actual bans and restrictions. The difference here is that Alibaba has worked hard to position itself as a global cloud computing and e-commerce partner, not just a Chinese company. But when you’re dealing with technology infrastructure, the lines between commercial and military applications can get blurry – especially in China where the military-corporate relationship operates differently than in the West.
What happens next?
So where does this leave us? Without concrete evidence or official White House confirmation, these allegations remain in the realm of unverified claims. But the damage might already be done. American companies doing business with Alibaba are now facing renewed scrutiny, and lawmakers who were already skeptical of Chinese tech influence will likely seize on this memo. The real question is whether this becomes another flashpoint in the ongoing tech cold war, or if it fades away like so many other anonymous leaks. Given the current geopolitical climate, I wouldn’t bet on it disappearing quietly.
