Nancy Pelosi joins Donald Trump in warning Europe of Huawei 5G threat in rare bipartisan moment
- The US House speaker backed Trump’s assessment of the threat posed by American allies using Huawei equipment to build 5G networks
- She warned European allies that it would be dangerous to allow a company with connections to the Chinese government to build global information networks
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi backed President Donald Trump’s assessment of the threat posed by American allies using Huawei Technologies equipment to build 5G networks, a rare moment of bipartisan agreement after the bitter partisan fight over impeachment.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Pelosi warned European allies that it would be dangerous to allow a company with connections to the Chinese government to build global information networks, echoing some of the points the administration has been trying to drive home with American partners.
“Nations cannot cede telecommunications infrastructure to China for financial expediency,” Pelosi said. Speaking about Chinese President Xi Jinping, she said such an “ill-conceived concession will only embolden Xi as he undermines democratic values, human rights, economic independence and national security.”
The strong words from a Democratic Party leader offered a point of accordance with the president that contrasts with months of clashes that culminated with last week’s acquittal of Trump by the Republican-led Senate on two articles of impeachment brought by the House.
Allowing the Sinification of 5G would be to choose autocracy over democracy
Joining with the president in identifying a common threat could be a useful political pivot for Pelosi as her House members prepare to run for re-election in a political environment mostly defined by divisions.
The Trump administration has lobbied European allies to reject Huawei equipment as they invest in the next generation of technology. Pelosi said Republicans and Democrats in the US agree that Huawei poses a threat to democratic values.