Chinese chipmaker Yangtze Memory Technologies has filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Defense seeking removal from the Pentagon's Chinese military company list, reports Caixin. The firm says it was designated twice without notice or a chance to respond.

The complaint, filed on December 5, states the Defense Department first placed Yangtze Memory on the list on January 31, 2024 and again on January 7, 2025. Being listed carries reputational damage and restricts access to US grants, loans, contracts and other benefits.

Yangtze Memory said it spent more than 10 months attempting to engage with the department through outside counsel to understand the basis for the designation and to provide evidence disputing it. The company said the agency never replied.

After exhausting what it described as all reasonable administrative remedies, Yangtze Memory decided to sue, arguing the listings were unjustified and harmful to its business.