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Huawei hits back over Trump's national emergency on telecoms 'threat' Huawei hits back over Trump's national emergency on telecoms 'threat'
(2 months later)
Huawei has hit back at Donald Trump’s administration after it declared a national emergency to ban technology from “foreign adversaries” and subjected the Chinese telecommunications company to strict export controls.Huawei has hit back at Donald Trump’s administration after it declared a national emergency to ban technology from “foreign adversaries” and subjected the Chinese telecommunications company to strict export controls.
An executive order issued by the US president on Wednesday declared a national economic emergency that empowers the government to ban the technology and services of “foreign adversaries” deemed to pose “unacceptable risks” to national security, including from cyber-espionage and sabotage.An executive order issued by the US president on Wednesday declared a national economic emergency that empowers the government to ban the technology and services of “foreign adversaries” deemed to pose “unacceptable risks” to national security, including from cyber-espionage and sabotage.
The order did not name specific countries or companies but came after months of US pressure on Huawei. It reflects government concerns that equipment from Chinese suppliers could pose an espionage threat to US internet and telecommunications infrastructure.The order did not name specific countries or companies but came after months of US pressure on Huawei. It reflects government concerns that equipment from Chinese suppliers could pose an espionage threat to US internet and telecommunications infrastructure.
In a statement reported by the state-run Global Times, Huawei said: “If the US restricts Huawei, it will not make the US safer, nor will it make the US stronger. It will only force the US to use inferior and expensive alternative equipment, lagging behind other countries ... and ultimately harming US companies and consumers.”In a statement reported by the state-run Global Times, Huawei said: “If the US restricts Huawei, it will not make the US safer, nor will it make the US stronger. It will only force the US to use inferior and expensive alternative equipment, lagging behind other countries ... and ultimately harming US companies and consumers.”
The company said it was willing to “communicate with the US to ensure product security”, echoing reassurances given to the UK.The company said it was willing to “communicate with the US to ensure product security”, echoing reassurances given to the UK.
Huawei 'prepared to sign no-spy agreement with UK government'Huawei 'prepared to sign no-spy agreement with UK government'
Trump’s executive order invokes the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which gives the president the authority to regulate commerce in response to a national emergency that threatens the US. The order directs the commerce department, working with other government agencies, to draw up a plan for enforcement within 150 days.Trump’s executive order invokes the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which gives the president the authority to regulate commerce in response to a national emergency that threatens the US. The order directs the commerce department, working with other government agencies, to draw up a plan for enforcement within 150 days.
The commerce department said it was adding Huawei and 70 affiliates to its “entity list”, banning the company from acquiring components and technology from US firms without government approval.The commerce department said it was adding Huawei and 70 affiliates to its “entity list”, banning the company from acquiring components and technology from US firms without government approval.
The world’s two largest economies have recently increased tariffs in a battle over what US officials call China’s unfair trade practices. Talks between Washington and Beijing have ground to a halt, causing volatility amid concerns about a global trade war.The world’s two largest economies have recently increased tariffs in a battle over what US officials call China’s unfair trade practices. Talks between Washington and Beijing have ground to a halt, causing volatility amid concerns about a global trade war.
Gao Feng, a spokesman for China’s ministry of commerce, said: “China has emphasised many times that the concept of national security should not be abused, and that it should not be used as a tool for trade protectionism”.Gao Feng, a spokesman for China’s ministry of commerce, said: “China has emphasised many times that the concept of national security should not be abused, and that it should not be used as a tool for trade protectionism”.
A foreign affairs spokesman described US actions against specific Chinese companies as disgraceful and unjust. “We urge the US side to stop oppressing Chinese companies under the pretext of security concerns and provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for their normal investment and operation,” the spokesman said at a press briefing ahead of the executive order.A foreign affairs spokesman described US actions against specific Chinese companies as disgraceful and unjust. “We urge the US side to stop oppressing Chinese companies under the pretext of security concerns and provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for their normal investment and operation,” the spokesman said at a press briefing ahead of the executive order.
Trump’s commerce secretary, Wilbur Ross, said the order, which has been under review for more than a year, was aimed at protecting the supply chain from “foreign adversaries to the nation’s information and communications technology and services supply chain”.Trump’s commerce secretary, Wilbur Ross, said the order, which has been under review for more than a year, was aimed at protecting the supply chain from “foreign adversaries to the nation’s information and communications technology and services supply chain”.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, Americans will be able to trust that our data and infrastructure are secure,” he said.“Under President Trump’s leadership, Americans will be able to trust that our data and infrastructure are secure,” he said.
Huawei is a Chinese telecoms company founded in 1987. Politicians in the US have alleged that Huawei’s forthcoming 5G mobile phone networks could be hacked by Chinese spies to eavesdrop on sensitive phone calls and gain access to counter-terrorist operations. Allies who allow Huawei technology inside their 5G networks have been told they may be frozen out of US intelligence sharing. Australia, New Zealand and Japan have banned Huawei from their 5G networks. Huawei is a Chinese telecoms company founded in 1987. Officials in Washington believe the company poses a security risk because the Chinese government will make the firm engineer backdoors in its technology, through which information could be accessed by Beijing. Donald Trump has banned US companies from sharing technology with Huawei and has been putting pressure on other nations to follow his lead.
In the UK, BT has excluded Huawei telecoms infrastructure from its own 5G rollout and removed some of its equipment from the 4G network. In January 2019 Vodafone said it had decided to 'pause' the use of Huawei equipment in its core networks across Europe. The UK's defence secretary Gavin Williamson was sacked by prime minister Theresa May after a leak revealed the sensitive decision that the UK would not be totally banning Huawei from 5G projects. The UK has accepted there is some risk in working with Huawei, but security services do not believe it to be unmanageable. The UK government has agreed in principle to allow Huawei to be involved in building “non-core” parts of the UK’s 5G network. With a final decision expected within weeks, the head of MI5 had recently said he was confident the US-UK intelligence-sharing relationship would not be affected if London gave Huawei the nod.
Poland’s internal affairs minister, Joachim Brudziński, has called for the European Union and Nato to work on a joint position over whether to exclude Huawei from their markets, after an Huawei employee was arrested on spying charges.Poland’s internal affairs minister, Joachim Brudziński, has called for the European Union and Nato to work on a joint position over whether to exclude Huawei from their markets, after an Huawei employee was arrested on spying charges.
Much of the doubt surrounding Huawei stems from founder Ren Zhengfei’s background in China's People’s Liberation Army between 1974 and 1983, where he was an engineer. His daughter, Huawei’s senior executive Meng Wanzhou, was arrested in Canada in December 2018 over allegations of Iran-sanctions violations.Much of the doubt surrounding Huawei stems from founder Ren Zhengfei’s background in China's People’s Liberation Army between 1974 and 1983, where he was an engineer. His daughter, Huawei’s senior executive Meng Wanzhou, was arrested in Canada in December 2018 over allegations of Iran-sanctions violations.
Huawei insists it has never been asked to build any backdoor into its technology by the Chinese government and has offered to sign a “no spy agreement” with countries adopting it. The trade rivalry between the US and China has intensified in recent years and the firm believes the White House is simply using it as a weapon in that larger fight.
Kevin Rawlinson
US officials have previously labelled Huawei a threat and lobbied allies not to use Huawei network equipment in next-generation 5G networks, calling it untrustworthy.US officials have previously labelled Huawei a threat and lobbied allies not to use Huawei network equipment in next-generation 5G networks, calling it untrustworthy.
Beijing has pledged to take necessary counter-measures against the US actions, announcing plans this week to increase tariffs on nearly $60bn (£46.7bn) worth of US imports beginning on 1 June, in what the Chinese government said was a retaliatory move after Washington imposed tariffs on $200bn (£155.8bn) of Chinese goods.Beijing has pledged to take necessary counter-measures against the US actions, announcing plans this week to increase tariffs on nearly $60bn (£46.7bn) worth of US imports beginning on 1 June, in what the Chinese government said was a retaliatory move after Washington imposed tariffs on $200bn (£155.8bn) of Chinese goods.
Observers say other measures could include added regulatory hurdles for US companies operating in China.Observers say other measures could include added regulatory hurdles for US companies operating in China.
Lu Kang, a spokesman for China’s foreign ministry, said: “The Chinese government naturally cares about the rights and interests of Chinese businesses and the government will take necessary measures to safeguard their rights. As for foreign businesses in China, as long as their operation is lawful, they should not be concerned.”Lu Kang, a spokesman for China’s foreign ministry, said: “The Chinese government naturally cares about the rights and interests of Chinese businesses and the government will take necessary measures to safeguard their rights. As for foreign businesses in China, as long as their operation is lawful, they should not be concerned.”
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Trump is expected to meet China’s president, Xi Jinping, in Japan next month.Trump is expected to meet China’s president, Xi Jinping, in Japan next month.
Huawei has strongly denied US allegations that its equipment could be used by the Chinese state to spy.Huawei has strongly denied US allegations that its equipment could be used by the Chinese state to spy.
Ren Zhengfei, the company’s founder and chief executive, claimed in February that Huawei would reject any efforts to gather intelligence through its products even if the Chinese government required it to do so.Ren Zhengfei, the company’s founder and chief executive, claimed in February that Huawei would reject any efforts to gather intelligence through its products even if the Chinese government required it to do so.
“We never participate in espionage and we do not allow any of our employees to do any act like that. And we absolutely never install backdoors,” he told CBS News.“We never participate in espionage and we do not allow any of our employees to do any act like that. And we absolutely never install backdoors,” he told CBS News.
Huawei 'prepared to sign no-spy agreement with UK government'Huawei 'prepared to sign no-spy agreement with UK government'
In August, Trump signed a bill that barred the US government from using equipment from Huawei and another Chinese provider, ZTE Corp.In August, Trump signed a bill that barred the US government from using equipment from Huawei and another Chinese provider, ZTE Corp.
The export restriction is “a grave escalation with China that, at minimum, plunges the prospect of continued trade negotiations into doubt,” Eurasia Group analysts said in a report. “Unless handled carefully, this situation is likely to place US and Chinese companies at new risk.”The export restriction is “a grave escalation with China that, at minimum, plunges the prospect of continued trade negotiations into doubt,” Eurasia Group analysts said in a report. “Unless handled carefully, this situation is likely to place US and Chinese companies at new risk.”
It appears the law invoked in Wednesday’s executive order has never before been declared in a way that affects an entire commercial sector.It appears the law invoked in Wednesday’s executive order has never before been declared in a way that affects an entire commercial sector.
Huawei said in a statement on Thursday that the decision was “in no one’s interest” and would “affect tens of thousands of American jobs, and disrupt the current collaboration and mutual trust that exist on the global supply chain”.Huawei said in a statement on Thursday that the decision was “in no one’s interest” and would “affect tens of thousands of American jobs, and disrupt the current collaboration and mutual trust that exist on the global supply chain”.
Donald TrumpDonald Trump
HuaweiHuawei
Trump administrationTrump administration
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