Warner, Rubio urge no retreat from Huawei pressures

In a letter to the U.S. Department of State and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Senators underscored “the threats posed by Chinese telecommunications equipment to network security, data privacy, and economic security across the globe” and emphasized the need to keep trade negotiations separate from any changes in policy concerning national security threats posed by Huawei.

“Allowing the use of Huawei equipment in U.S. telecommunications infrastructure is harmful to our national security,” they added. “In no way should Huawei be used as a bargaining chip in trade negotiations. Instead, the U.S. should redouble our efforts to present our allies with compelling data on why the long-term network security and maintenance costs on Chinese telecommunications equipment offset any short-term cost savings.”

Warner and Rubio reiterated their support for existing U.S. efforts to convey the long-term security risks posed by Chinese telecommunications firms to allies and partners abroad. They did, however, express concern this message is being undermined by President Trump, whose Administration reversed a seven-year ban on ZTE last year in defiance of a Commerce Department recommendation and who in late May indicated that Huawei could be included in a future trade deal.

In their letter, Warner and Rubio emphasized that any modifications of Huawei’s Temporary General License must be pursued in a risk-based way, separate from trade negotiations, and without undermining national security.

In December, Sens. Warner and Rubio urged Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to reconsider Huawei’s inclusion in Canada’s fifth-generation network. In January, the duo teamed up to introduce legislation to combat tech-specific, national security threats posed by foreign actors like China and establish a whole-of-government strategy to protect the United States from technology theft.

A copy of the letter is available here.