Editorial | Britain right to resist Donald Trump’s bullying with decision on Huawei

Britain has made the best compromise with its decision to ensure Huawei maintains a substantial role in the development of its next-generation 5G telecommunications network.

Under intense pressure from security ally the United States to bar the Chinese hi-tech company’s products on spying grounds, Prime Minister Boris Johnson opted for limiting the firm’s role to non-core parts and putting a 35 per cent cap on market share.

There were also geopolitical considerations, with American president Donald Trump’s administration hinting the move could have an impact on intelligence-sharing and more broadly, a trade deal post-Brexit. But the terms settled upon make sense given the circumstances and could prove a useful model for other governments to follow.

The decision was crucial in ensuring Britain’s timely roll-out of 5G, which provides quicker, cost-effective, more reliable and greater connectivity for wireless telecommunications. Its use will enable such developments as the industrial internet, smart cities and autonomous vehicles.

Denying the firm a role was unlikely and impractical; it has a respected 15-year British track record and as its equipment is already widely used in existing 4G systems that will form the backbone of 5G, rejecting its involvement would have meant delays of two years or more.