President Trump and UK Prime Minister Theresa May are set to discuss a potential ban on Huawei during a state visit, amid measures by the company to limit contact with American staff.
Theresa May, who announced she will step down as prime minister on June 7, will still hold office during President Trump’s visit. The United Kingdom, a key U.S. security partner, has faced pressure from the Trump administration to prohibit Huawei equipment over national security concerns.
A leaked note from a recent National Security Council meeting suggested the government was considering allowing Huawei components only in non-core segments of future 5G networks. That leak prompted a warning from U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that such a decision could reduce intelligence sharing and security cooperation between the longstanding partners.
“Insufficient security will impede the United States’ ability to share certain information within trusted networks,” Pompeo said, adding that China would welcome divisions within Western alliances through cyber and communications channels rather than conventional force.
UK Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright responded by stressing that no final decision had been made and that, if necessary, the government would consider delaying parts of the 5G rollout to protect national security.
Earlier this month Huawei was placed on a U.S. trade restriction list, a move that has had major implications for both its business-to-business and consumer operations. The sanctions threaten the company’s access to Google services and Android updates, restrict use of chips from firms like Qualcomm and ARM, and have led to its exclusion from several industry organizations.
In response to the growing tensions, Huawei has asked employees to cancel meetings with American contacts. U.S. personnel based at Huawei’s China headquarters were instructed to remove company laptops and leave the premises, and campus visitors are reportedly being checked for U.S. passports.
The leaders’ discussion about Huawei’s role in the UK’s telecommunications infrastructure is scheduled for June 4.
(Image Credit: The White House under Public Domain Mark 1.0)