Huawei’s removal from Britain’s 5G network was all but inevitable

Analysis: US sanctions have tipped the balance against the Chinese firm, writes Kim Sengupta

Tuesday 14 July 2020 23:30 BST
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American measures have crippled Huawei's ability to be a reliable supplier to the UK, experts say
American measures have crippled Huawei's ability to be a reliable supplier to the UK, experts say

The announcement that Huawei will be barred from Britain’s 5G network in a few years is hardly a surprise. That was the widely predicted outcome once an investigation was ordered into the effect of US sanctions on the Chinese telecommunications company.

Boris Johnson’s government had little choice but to end Huawei’s involvement after sustained opposition from allies, in particular the US, an international geopolitical reset over China following the coronavirus pandemic and a growing rebellion among Tory MPs.

But was this yet another volte-face that Boris Johnson’s government has become known for, using the sanctions report as an excuse? Or have the American measures made the presence of Huawei so risky that it simply had to go? And if there is now so much concern over national security, why is the company staying in the 5G network for another seven years and in the 3G and 4G ones even after that?

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