Mike Pompeo takes aim at China during London visit, warning UK over Huawei and 5G security
- US secretary of state says Beijing aims to ‘divide Western alliances through bits and bytes, not bullets and bombs’
- In wake of leak on limited role for Huawei in UK network, Pompeo warns of risk to intelligence sharing between US and Britain
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo ramped up pressure UK government on Wednesday to exclude Chinese telecoms company Huawei from its 5G network, accusing China of seeking to divide Western countries through “bits and bytes”.
The former CIA chief also hinted that if the UK does choose Huawei in its 5G tender, the security relationship between the US and the UK could be threatened.
It was not the first time the US has applied pressure on the UK regarding the tech giant, but the public comments by the former head of the CIA could further twist the arm of the beleaguered UK Prime Minister Theresa May, whose own government is bitterly divided over the Huawei issue.
Downing Street is due to announce its final decision on whether to allow Huawei to take part in the building of its 5G network before the summer.
“This is a discussion that extends far beyond technology and trade,” Pompeo said while in London. “Insufficient security will impede the United States’ ability to share certain information within trusted networks. This is what China wants – to divide Western alliances through bits and bytes, not bullets and bombs. We know 5G is a sovereign decision but it must be made with the broader strategic context in mind.”
Pompeo said the Chinese law requiring companies to cooperate with the government if requested could enable Beijing to demand access to data flowing through Huawei systems.
He said: “Why would anyone grant such power to a regime that has already grossly violated cyberspace? What can Her Majesty’s Government do to make sure sensitive technologies don’t become open doors for Beijing’s spymasters?”