US: Presidential Executive Order Bans (Also) Huawei

(Patria) – US President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Wednesday declaring a state of emergency and banning American companies from using telecommunications equipment manufactured by firms that pose a security risk.

While no country or company was mentioned in the order, it is assumed to be China, among others, given the growing tensions between the two countries, as well as the US pressure on Huawei that has been ongoing for some time.

The US has openly opposed the introduction of China's Huawei as a primary supplier of 5G telecommunications equipment in the UK. Huawei has long struggled with the perception that it serves espionage purposes for the Chinese military and security forces, writes the EuroNews portal.

The company has repeatedly denied the allegations, and the owner of this technology giant stated that he would 'rather close the company' than respond to such government requests.

A statement from Huawei's management, reported by the Global Times, says that 'if the US bans Huawei, it will not make them safer or stronger, but will only force the US to use weaker and more expensive alternative equipment, thus falling behind other countries... which will ultimately harm American companies and users.' 

The statement also says that the company is ready to talk with the US to 'guarantee product security'.

Thanks to the presidential order that is in effect, Trump will stop US business with foreign tech companies, which consequently affects the interests of China's Huawei in the large US market.

The US government has already banned Huawei phones on military bases, as well as some telecommunications equipment.