Huawei and ZTE Pleads With U.S Not to Brand Them ‘National Security Risk’

On Monday Chinese tech giants Huawei Technologies Co and ZTE Corp (000063) pleaded with the U.S Federal Communications Commission (FCC) against wrapping its designation which will end with the two termed as risks to U.S. national security.

Huawei claims the filing with FCC was framed by a certain group of U.S government officials together with members of Congress whose aim was to isolate Huawei out of business in the United States and around the world at large. A move the company terms as unlawful and misguided.

Huawei also says the United States has unsuccessfully tried to convince its allies to blacklist Huawei from applying for contracts by alleging the firm uses its equipment to spy for Beijing. Huawei has strongly denied these allegations. Last week, the UK said it will be giving Huawei a role in its new generation of telecoms infrastructure.

On the other hand, ZTE requested the FCC to take additional time in assessing the adjustments it had made in its products in line with U.S. export control and economic sanctions.

ZTE claims to have spent hundreds of millions of dollars while implementing a compliance program linked to U.S. export control compliance regulations.

Back in November, the FCC voted 5-0 to designate the two Chinese tech companies as national security risks.