UK’s Huawei Ban ‘Blatantly Violated’ Free Trade Rules, Chinese Foreign Ministry Says

The U.K. government followed the U.S. lead in banning Huawei equipment “without any solid evidence and under the excuse of non-existent risks,” a Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson said July 15. The U.K.’s action “blatantly violated” free trade rules and “eroded mutual trust underpinning China-U.K. cooperation,” she said. “China will evaluate this development in a comprehensive and serious manner and take all necessary measures to protect the legitimate and legal rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.” On President Donald Trump’s disclosure July 14 that he personally “convinced many countries” not to use Huawei as a condition for doing business with the U.S., the spokesperson called that “further proof that decisions to ban Huawei are not about national security, but political manipulation.” Trump's disclosure “also shows the world that it is not China, but the U.S., that has been intimidating and threatening others and sowing discord all across the world,” she said.