
ZTE says it can't fix a toilet without violating sanctions
Ban on buying American products still in place
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.”

But in April, the US Commerce Department found that the company retained many of the culprits -- and even handed them their bonuses. As a result, ZTE was banned from buying products from American companies for seven years -- a hammer blow to a company that relies on hardware and software components from the US.
ZTE suspends smartphone sales following US ban
One hopes for the sake of ZTE employees that no other toilets break.
Why ZTE is so important to China’s tech industry
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For more insights into China tech, sign up for our tech newsletters, subscribe to our Inside China Tech podcast, and download the comprehensive 2019 China Internet Report. Also roam China Tech City, an award-winning interactive digital map at our sister site Abacus.
