AT&T Joined in Lobbying Against Putting China Telecom on Entity List

AT&T said it joined other companies in lobbying the Commerce Department against placing China Telecom on the entity list. AT&T said it provides services involving China Telecom that are essential for U.S. workers and customers. “In providing those services, we comply with all U.S. laws and the laws of the countries where we operate,” AT&T said. “Without a relationship with a licensed Chinese communications company, no non-Chinese provider can serve U.S. companies operating in China. In the absence of that, such support would be provided by a Chinese state-owned enterprise instead of AT&T or any other American company.” The company responded to what it said was a “misleading” report earlier Wednesday by Fox News. The Commerce Department didn’t comment Thursday. A Fox News spokesperson said that "AT&T's statement does not deny the reporting about the company's role in opposing sanctions against a Chinese telecom company. It acknowledges that role."