EU Leaves Room After UK Despite US Desire to Ban Huawei...

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] As the UK announced it would allow limited use of telecommunications equipment from Chinese electronics company Huawei, Bloomberg News and others reported on the 29th (local time) that the European Union (EU) did not include a ban on Huawei in its guidelines for 5G network deployment.

According to the report, the EU Commission emphasized in the guidelines issued to EU member states to address security risks related to 5G network deployment that they should assess the risks posed by suppliers, and stated that core component supply from suppliers with security risks could be restricted or banned. However, the EU did not specifically name Huawei or any particular countries or companies, nor did it call for an explicit ban on any specific supplier.

Rather than directly deciding on the use of Huawei, the EU allowed each member state to decide whether to use Huawei. These guidelines are recommendations agreed upon by EU member states and have no legal binding force. Previously, the US had urged allies including the UK not to use Huawei equipment. The US expressed strong disappointment when the UK announced partial approval of Huawei equipment the day before. Bloomberg analyzed that these guidelines reflect the EU seeking a path between China and the US regarding the Huawei issue.

Immediately after the EU’s announcement, Huawei welcomed the decision, stating that it would be allowed to continue playing a role in 5G network deployment in Europe.

Countries reviewing the use of Huawei equipment for 5G network deployment include Germany, Canada, New Zealand, and India. The US, Australia, and Japan have already declared they will not adopt Huawei equipment. Attention is now focused on the choices other countries will make following the decisions by the UK and the EU.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.