The UK government has decided to stop purchasing Huawei equipment. It will exclude the Chinese largest telecommunication equipment manufacturer from next year.
According to Reuters and Bloomberg News, Oliver Dowden, British Minister of Digital, Culture, Media and Sports, attended the House of Representatives. He said that British telecommunication businesses will no longer able to purchase Huawei 5G parts from December 31 this year. And all Huawei equipment should be removed by 2027 and replaced with other equipment”. He added that such obligations will be made into law.
The UK will also stop using Huawei’s equipment within two years for wired broadband Internet networks.
The Chinese government and Huawei strongly opposed the UK government decision
“This disappointing decision is bad news for cell phone users in the UK,” said Edward Brewster, a spokesman for Huawei’s British subsidiary.
The spokesman also said, “(This decision) could reduce the digital development in the UK and widen the digital gap. Such as increasing consumer spending on telecommunications. We urge the British government to reconsider its decision.”
He added, “The British decision is not a security issue. But a politicized one based on the U.S. trade policy”. He added, “It is very regrettable.”
On the same day, Chinese Ambassador to Britain Liu Xiaoming also said he felt “disappointed and wrong” toward the British decision. He criticized his Twitter account. He stated, “I wonder if Britain can provide an open, fair and nondiscriminatory business environment for companies in other countries.”
Bye from China, a hug from America
The New York Times and other foreign media evaluated Britain’s decision as “the Trump administration has posted a victory sign in the battle between Western powers and China.” AFP also said, “The Trump administration has won a big victory in geopolitical and trade battles with China.”
President Donald Trump also expressed his welcome at a press conference in Rose Garden, the White House.
“I have been persuading many countries not to use Huawei,” President Trump said. Adding that he believes other countries will not use Huawei’s equipment.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeii also issued a statement saying, “We welcome Britain’s decision to phase out the equipment it has already purchased, including the future 5G network”. He added, “We will cooperate with British friends to build a safe and vibrant 5G.”
AFP reported that Minister Pompeii stressed that companies in Australia, India, Japan, and South Korea also decided to exclude Huawei.
“The U.K.’s announcement reflects growing global consensus that as long as Huawei and other unreliable suppliers are beholden to the Chinese Communist Party, there is a growing threat to national security,” White House National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien said. “We expect the U.S. to cooperate with the U.K. on 5G innovation, diversification of suppliers, and 5G security issues.”
Previously, British government had a meeting with Samsung representative, opening the possibility of Samsung to replace Huawei.