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ZTE says it can't fix a toilet without violating sanctions
Ban on buying American products still in place
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This article originally appeared on ABACUS
When the US banned ZTE from buying any American products for seven years, it was expected to have a crippling impact on the company -- with some even fearing it would have to close down entirely.
The US and Chinese governments have since worked out a deal that could keep the company afloat, but until it’s official, the ban is still in place. And it’s still being felt in one very weird place: The men’s toilet.
A photo of a broken urinal has been circulating online, with a sign above it explaining that it can’t be fixed without American parts -- parts the company cannot buy without violating the ban.
It reads: “Our company is now subject to the export ban posed by the US government. Since this bathroom appliance is a product of American Standard, we can’t procure the spare parts for repair due to the export ban. When the export ban is lifted, we promise to get the parts, repair it, and resume operation at once. We regret any inconvenience this may have caused.”
The Shenzhen-based telecoms equipment supplier first got in trouble in 2016 for selling to Iran and North Korea, in violation of US sanctions. The company agreed to pay more than US$1 billion and penalize the workers involved.
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