Trump signs bill banning US government from using Huawei, ZTE products
New law also covers Chinese surveillance product suppliers
US President Donald Trump has officially banned the US government from using the majority of products made by Chinese telecoms makers Huawei Technologies and ZTE.
The ban was part of the bigger Defense Authorization Act signed by the president on Monday. It will apply to US government agencies as well as their contractors.
Chinese surveillance camera giant faces potential sales ban to US government
Huawei told Abacus that the decision was “ineffective, misguided, and unconstitutional.” In a statement it added: “It does nothing to identify real security risks or improve supply chain security, and will only serve to stifle innovation while increasing internet costs for US consumers and businesses.”
ZTE declined to comment.
For ZTE, it’s the latest development in what has proven to be a complicated relationship with the White House.
In April, the US government banned American companies from selling to the Chinese telecoms maker after it failed to punish employees who breached sanctions against Iran, and for covering up its actions and then lying about them.