Paranoia has run rampant amongst Republican U.S. senators when word of Huawei becoming a potential supplier of telecommunications equipment for Sprint got out. The problem with Huawei gaining any advancement in the U.S. telecommunications market is in its dealings and business with militia groups from Iran and in China. Apparently, according to the senators, doing business with such a company could “possibly undermine U.S. national security.”
The International Business Times reports:
“A Chinese company with such a leading role in Iran’s economy, and close relationship with the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps), should not be able to do business in the U.S.” the letter stated.
The senators also called the Shenzhen-based company’s ties with China‘s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) “most troubling” and said they were informed that the firm was the “preferred provider of telecommunications products and services to the PLA and the Chinese embassies.”
While it’ unclear exactly how this may directly undermine national security, it doesn’t seem like the government is wanting to take any chances with this one. It’s unfortunate for both Huawei and Sprint, but the former’s business dealings with Iran and the People’s Liberation Army in China do mar its reputation a bit, especially in a climate that the U.S. government takes very seriously.
[Via: International Business Times]