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(Alliance News) - The US hailed the UK's decision Tuesday to order the phased removal of China's Huawei telecoms giant from its 5G network, following months of pressure from Washington.
The British ban, which came despite warnings of retaliation by Beijing, handed US President Donald Trump a victory.
"The reported #UK action reflects a growing international consensus that #Huawei and other untrusted vendors pose a threat to national security, as they remain beholden to the Chinese Communist Party," White House National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien said on Twitter.
"We look forward to working with the UK, as well as our many other partners and allies, to spur innovation, promote vendor diversity in the #5G supply chain, and ensure 5G security free from dangerous manipulations."
Amid rising tensions with China, Trump has pushed allies to ban Huawei from their telecommunications networks on the grounds that it poses a national security risk.
Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson initially resisted, allowing Huawei to roll out a new high-speed network in Britain in January.
But US sanctions in May blocking Huawei's access to US chips for the 5G networks brought a change of heart in London.
Huawei's equipment will be stripped from the UK's 5G network by 2027, adding millions to the cost and delaying the delivery of the high-speed mobile network.
The UK National Security Council took the decision – which will increase tensions with Beijing – after the impact of US sanctions raised concerns about Huawei's continued involvement in the UK's 5G infrastructure.
From next year, telecoms firms will be banned from purchasing new 5G equipment from Huawei.
BT Group PLC said Tuesday the UK government's move to remove Chinese tech giant Huawei from the country's 5G network will cost about GBP500 million.
source: AFP
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