The move is the clearest signal yet that the Trump administration intends to further limit what kind of American technology Chinese companies can buy.

President Donald Trump said the US is ‘very well-equipped to handle’ a potential war with China, while denying reports that Elon Musk was set to be briefed on the matter. Trump brought up the US’s preparedness when a reporter questioned him about Musk’s visit to the Pentagon and how the agenda for it may have changed.

Growing gaps with Mexico and Vietnam add to the biggest imbalance the U.S. faces—with China.

The Trump adviser had been originally set to receive a top-secret briefing on war plan but revelations of the meeting caused a change of course.

The Chinese remarks come as U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visits the Philippines, which is a treaty ally of Washington.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Friday that the Trump administration would work with allies to ramp up deterrence against threats across the world, including China’s aggression in the South China Sea.

Deterrence is necessary in Asia in the face of “threats from the Communist Chinese” US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in Manila on Friday as he opened his first visit to Asia in his role under a cloud of scrutiny for discussing American war plans on Signal.