Background on the EU’s Proposal and Huawei’s Response
The European Union (EU) plans to progressively remove components and equipment from high-risk suppliers in critical sectors, as outlined in a draft proposal published by Brussels on Tuesday. This move has been criticized by Huawei, a Chinese company that will be among those affected.
Context and Relevance
The EU’s proposal stems from a rise in cyberattacks, ransomware incidents, and growing concerns about foreign interference, espionage, and Europe’s reliance on non-EU technology providers. The European Commission, the executive arm of the 27-member bloc, did not name any specific company or country.
However, Europe has intensified its scrutiny of Chinese technology. Germany recently appointed an expert commission to reassess its trade policy towards China and banned the use of Chinese components in future 6G telecommunications networks. The United States prohibited the certification of new Huawei and Chinese rival ZTE telecommunications equipment in 2022, urging its European allies to do the same.
EU’s Stance and Huawei’s Criticism
Henna Virkkunen, the EU’s Technology Responsible, stated, “With the new cybersecurity measures package, we will have the necessary means to better protect our critical ICT supply chains and decisively combat cyberattacks.”
Huawei echoed previous criticisms from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stating through a spokesperson that “a legislative proposal to limit or exclude suppliers outside the EU based on country of origin, rather than objective tests and technical standards, violates the fundamental legal principles of the EU, including fairness, non-discrimination, and proportionality, as well as its WTO obligations.”
Huawei added, “We will closely monitor the subsequent legislative process and reserve all rights to safeguard our legitimate interests.”
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the EU’s plan regarding high-risk suppliers in critical sectors? The EU intends to progressively remove components and equipment from high-risk suppliers in critical sectors, focusing on cybersecurity improvements.
- Which companies are affected by this proposal? Huawei, a Chinese telecommunications company, is one of the affected suppliers.
- Why is Huawei criticizing the EU’s proposal? Huawei argues that basing supplier restrictions on country of origin rather than objective tests and technical standards violates EU legal principles and WTO obligations.
- What actions have other countries taken regarding Chinese technology? Germany has appointed an expert commission to reassess its trade policy with China and banned Chinese components in future 6G networks. The United States prohibited the certification of new Huawei and ZTE telecommunications equipment in 2022.
