The UK has announced that it will allow China’s Huawei to help build its 5G networks despite warnings from the United States. This decision could also undermine trade and intelligence ties with the United States.

 

The United States and some Conservative MPs have repeatedly warned the UK against a partnership with Huawei. The Trump administration had also warned that US-UK intelligence sharing could be at risk. They claim that China could use the company’s equipment for espionage.

 

Huawei, on the other hand, has consistently denied the allegations it would help the Chinese government commit espionage.

 

British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has come under intense pressure from within his party to comply with the US demands on Huawei. The Prime Minister, however, said he would never jeopardize Britain’s security relationships.

 

 

After the announcement, a senior Trump administration official told to Axios that the decision is disappointing to the US.

 

He said:

 

“There is no safe option for untrusted vendors to control any part of a 5G network.

 

“We look forward to working with the U.K. on a way forward that results in the exclusion of untrusted vendor components from 5G networks. We continue to urge all countries to carefully assess the long-term national security and economic impacts of allowing untrusted vendors access to important 5G network infrastructure.”

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US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted that Britain faced a “momentous” decision on 5G.

UK will exclude Huawei from security-critical core areas in its 5G network

Huawei in a statement said it was “reassured” that it would be able to continue working with its UK customers on 5G, although in a restricted role.

 

“We agree a diverse vendor market and fair competition are essential for network reliability and innovation, as well as ensuring consumers have access to the best possible technology,” a vice president at Huawei, Victor Zhang said.

 

British mobile operators will be able to use Huawei hardware in their 5G networks. However, the UK will exclude Huawei from “security-critical” core areas.

 

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