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US threat to rethink sharing information with nations using Huawei has implications for Thailand and Philippines
- Cybersecurity official Robert Strayer says Washington would consider the insertion of such an ‘untrustworthy vendor’ into another country’s network as a security risk
- His comments come amid increased scrutiny of US allies using Huawei equipment, following word that Britain would do so in noncore parts of its 5G network
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Washington will rethink connectivity and information sharing with any nation using equipment made by Chinese tech giant Huawei – including its allies in Southeast Asia, according to the United States cybersecurity official leading Washington’s campaign against Huawei.
Robert Strayer on Monday said that the US did not make any distinction between core and noncore parts of 5G networks, outlining a stance with potential implications for Thailand and the Philippines.
Both US treaty allies use Huawei equipment in their current telecoms infrastructure, and are conducting tests with the Chinese company’s 5G equipment.
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They are not alone in their willingness to use Huawei equipment, with other countries including Malaysia also on board. At the second Belt and Road Forum in Beijing last week, the Philippines’ trade secretary Ramon Lopez and Malaysian trade minister Darell Leiking indicated their nations were not concerned about the security issues trumpeted by the US.
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Strayer, the deputy assistant secretary for cyber, international communications and information policy at the US State Department, made the comments in a call with reporters in advance of a meeting in Prague, Czech Republic, about guidelines for the secure implementation of 5G technology.
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