US National Security Advisor John Bolton said during a visit to the UK that Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government will reassess the Huawei issue “from square one.”
Bolton is the most senior US official to visit Prime Minister Johnson since he took office last month. The United States has repeatedly warned its allies—especially those in the Five Eyes intelligence partnership—about the risks of using Huawei equipment in 5G networks.
“They [UK officials] said, in particular, they are looking really from square one on the Huawei issue. They were very concerned about not having any compromise in security of telecommunications in the 5G space,” Mr. Bolton told reporters.
“What they said was ‘we would like to review this and be very sure about our decision and we too are concerned about the security of our 5G telecommunications network’.”
While the previous administration under Theresa May had been inclined to permit Huawei in “non-core” parts of 5G infrastructure, Bolton’s remarks indicate that the Johnson government may be considering a more restrictive approach, potentially including an outright ban.
A UK government spokesperson said the country has been conducting “a thorough, evidence-based and hard-headed review of the 5G supply chain to ensure the secure and resilient rollout of 5G. We’ve been clear that the security and resilience of the UK’s telecoms networks is of paramount importance.”
Many observers viewed May’s decision as a rebuff to the Trump administration. Johnson has signaled a greater willingness to align with the US, particularly as both countries anticipate negotiating a post-Brexit trade agreement that would strengthen ties between their largest investors and markets.
Bolton’s visit followed trips by other senior UK officials, including newly appointed Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, to Washington. Those exchanges underlined the continuing significance both governments place on the so-called “special relationship.”
Mr. Bolton also said British officials appreciate US perspectives on other global issues, including Iran. The UK is currently the only European country participating in a US-led initiative to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz after a series of vessel seizures attributed to Iran.
The Johnson government appears to be aligning more closely with US policy as Brexit approaches, amid ongoing difficulties renegotiating a withdrawal deal with the European Union that has repeatedly failed to secure parliamentary approval.
Bolton added that the main purpose of his trip was to convey President Trump’s “desire to see a successful” UK exit from the EU, and “his hope that we can have a fully comprehensive bilateral trade agreement” with Britain “as soon as possible.”
(Image Credit: John Bolton by Gage Skidmore under CC BY-SA 2.0)