France, UK, Germany defy US bid to ban Huawei equipment

Several European nations have decided to break with US-led efforts to ban major Chinese telecommunications firm Huawei from their markets.

President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday it is not in France’s best interests to block Huawei, and that it would not be appropriate to wage a technological war or a trade battle.

Macron said he believed in cooperation and multilateralism to generate employment, expand businesses and improve innovation, signaling France's opposition to US trade practices. 

The president announced in Paris on Thursday that France will permit the Chinese company to build its 5G network infrastructure while safeguarding the country’s national security.

President of Germany's Federal Network Agency Jochen Homann also said on Thursday that Berlin does not plan to exclude Huawei from building its 5G network in the country.

His organization had recently updated the country’s network security requirements, saying any company that met the criteria could participate in network building.

Homann said no evidence has emerged so far showing that Huawei has acted against any regulations in Germany.

British authorities have also allowed Huawei to assist in building the "non-core" infrastructure of the country's 5G network.

The country’s telecommunications provider Vodafone has already declared plans to turn on its 5G service by using Huawei technology in the UK on July 3.

Huawei, meanwhile, intends to unveil its latest 5G smartphone -- the Mate 20 X -- in the UK next month.

Last Wednesday, US President Donald Trump announced a national emergency and signed an executive order, adding Huawei to a trade blacklist in a bid to curb its business dealings with companies.

SS