Biden Admin Moving Toward 'Total Ban' on Tech Exports to Huawei, Report Says

The Biden administration recently notified companies it no longer will approve license applications for technology shipments to Huawei, moving toward a “total ban” on U.S. sales to the Chinese telecommunications company, the Financial Times reported this week. The Commerce Department already employs a strict licensing policy for exports to the company, but the report said the administration is looking to take “an even tougher stance on China, particularly in the area of cutting-edge technology.”

A Commerce spokesperson said the agency doesn't comment on "conversations with or deliberations about specific companies.” Commerce is "working closely with our interagency export controls partners at the Departments of Energy, Defense and State" and "we continually assess our policies and regulations and communicate regularly with external stakeholders," the spokesperson said Jan. 31

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, said in a statement: “Our committee was shocked when we learned the U.S. Department of Commerce approved $60 billion worth of license applications to Huawei over six months in 2020 and 2021. Reports the Department of Commerce is halting exports to Huawei is a positive step, but I strongly urge the Department to consider a permanent halt of critical technology to Huawei for the sake of U.S. National Security.”