German security hawks are fighting to keep Huawei out of 5G, in clash with economy ministry and industry lobby

Hardliners in German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government are fighting for the powers to keep Huawei Technologies out of Germany’s fifth-generation mobile networks.

The cybersecurity hawks are concerned that Huawei could help China steal secrets from German companies or even the state and are pushing for strict criteria on equipment suppliers before the government begins the process of issuing 5G licenses in two weeks’ time, according to three people familiar with the discussions in Berlin.

While the German cabinet has decided that an outright ban on the Chinese equipment maker would be legally impossible, officials across the administration are demanding tools that would allow them to block Huawei equipment from being used all the same, the people said.

The interior ministry, the foreign ministry and German intelligence are all pushing back against the economy ministry and industry lobby groups, which have said that sidelining Huawei would delay the roll-out of 5G by years and cost the country billions.

Economy Minister Peter Altmaier has said that any restrictions can’t involve targeting specific companies, but will have to involve security standards for all potential service providers.

Spokespeople in the Federal Chancellery and ministries have declined to comment while the negotiations continue.