My Take | Britain is right to use Huawei’s 5G technology
- Despite its much-vaunted ‘special relationship’ with Washington, post-Brexit Britain needs the China trade more than ever
“We want to sell product and goods to China and other countries,” Trump wrote.
“The United States cannot, and will not, become such a difficult place to deal with in terms of foreign countries buying our product, including for the always used National Security excuse, that our companies will be forced to leave in order to remain competitive.”
When push comes to shove, it’s now clear to American allies – with the possible exception of Israel – that they cannot rely on the Trump White House to have their back. Canadians know all about it. Given the highly publicised arm-twisting Washington has applied to Britain and other countries to ban the Chinese telecoms giant, it’s unusual for Britain, its perennial junior partner, not to comply. Well, not fully anyway.
As it is, the British decision simply splits the difference between China – of which Huawei is a national champion – and the US.
The Brits realise the erratic Trump does not have the stamina of his more hawkish advisers to go after China. Given his unreliability, they may well be left holding the bag if the president changes his mind.