Huawei's Ren Calls for Easing of US-China Tensions

Huawei founder and CEO Ren Zhengfei urged the new US administration to adopt a more open policy towards Chinese companies. He admitted that his companyr has no expectation current restrictions on it would be lifted.

Ren said Huawei wanted to focus on making good products and did not have the energy to be involved in this political whirlpool. The executive went on to question if the US’ aggressive stance against China’s companies was beneficial to its own economy and businesses.

However, he conceded it would be extremely difficult for authorities in the US to lift restrictions already imposed on Huawei. Ren also reiterated earlier comments stating the company was open to negotiations with US-based businesses about licensing its technology, though noted none had contacted it so far.

Huawei escalated a fight with Federal Communications Commission (FCC), filing a lawsuit seeking to reverse the US regulator’s designation of it as a national security threat. The Chinese vendor argued in a court filing the FCC exceeded its statutory authority in naming it a threat and the label was arbitrary, capricious, and an abuse of discretion, and not supported by substantial evidence.