A federal judge ordered the Pentagon to give Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. a reprieve from a law that caused all of its lobbyists to drop it while she considers its constitutionality. The restriction bars the Defense Department from working with any company represented by lobbyists who also work for entities blacklisted by the Pentagon for their alleged ties to the Chinese armed forces, forcing lobbyists to choose between representing the Chinese companies and US defense contractors. A federal judge in the Northern District of California on Sunday ordered the Pentagon not to treat Alibaba as a Chinese military company with respect to the lobbying restriction only until she resolves a motion by the company on the matter or until 60 days after the court holds a hearing on that motion, whichever occurs first.
Alibaba Group Holding LtdFederal judge halts Pentagon's lobbying ban on Alibaba, pending constitutional review.