US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross taps former prosecutor to serve as legal watchdog over ZTE
Roscoe Howard’s appointment is part of a settlement with Washington after US President Donald Trump personally intervened to rescue the telecoms gear maker, accused of violating sanctions against Iran and North Korea
US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross on Friday named a former federal prosecutor to monitor Chinese telecommunications equipment supplier ZTE Corp as part of the June settlement that allowed it to continue buying American components.
Roscoe Howard, a former US Attorney in Washington, will lead a compliance team to ensure that ZTE, China’s second largest telecoms gear maker, does not illegally sell products with American parts to US sanctioned countries such as Iran and North Korea, according to a Commerce Department statement.
The team reports to Ross’ department.
Howard, who received his law degree from the University of Virginia in 1977, is a partner in Washington-based law firm Barnes & Thornburg. He served as associate independent counsel during the presidential administrations of Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush.
“Today’s appointment is the continuation of the unprecedented measures imposed on ZTE by the Department of Commerce,” Ross said.