White House Considers Barring Chinese Telecom Sales as Tensions Mount [telecom]

open original image

An executive order is being considered to raise the barrier for sales of equipment in the United States by companies like Huawei and ZTE, people briefed on the discussions said.

By Ana Swanson And Cecilia Kang

The executive order, which could be released within days, is expected to raise the barrier for government agencies to buy products from foreign telecom equipment providers like Huawei and ZTE, two of China's most prominent technology firms. Private government contractors may also be restricted from buying foreign telecom products, which the United States believes may be vulnerable to Chinese espionage or disruption.