China hit back Tuesday at a U.S. ban on the use of Chinese artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek's products by federal civilian agencies and warned of retaliatory measures as the two AI powers race to develop the technology.

The Department of Homeland Security said the agencies should remove DeepSeek products as well as third-party products and services developed using DeepSeek from their IT systems, according to a notice made public on Monday.

The latest warnings reflect "the depth of strategic distrust between Beijing and Washington" even as U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping work hard to keep their personal relationship "warm and constructive," said George Chen, partner and chair of digital practice at Washington-based The Asia Group consultancy.