Huawei founder Ren says US underestimates companyファーウェイ会長、米大統領令に反論

Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei struck a defiant tone May 21 against American attempts to block his company’s global ambitions, saying the U.S. “underestimates” the telecom giant’s strength.

Ren spoke to Chinese state media days after President Donald Trump issued orders aimed at thwarting Huawei’s business in the United States, the latest salvo in a monthslong effort to stop the company’s charge to the top in next-generation 5G technology.

“The current practice of U.S. politicians underestimates our strength,” Ren said, according to CCTV. “Huawei’s 5G will absolutely not be affected.”

Trump declared a “national emergency” on May 15, empowering him to blacklist companies seen as “an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States” — a move analysts said was clearly aimed at Huawei.

At the same time, the U.S. Commerce Department announced an effective ban on American companies selling or transferring U.S. technology to Huawei, although it said May 20 it would delay implementation for 90 days.

U.S. internet giant Google, whose Android mobile operating system powers most of the world’s smartphones, said it was beginning to cut ties with Huawei in light of the ban. (AFP-Jiji)