Brazil looking for legal options to ban China’s Huawei from 5G, insiders say
- Bolsonaro, a Trump ally, opposes the telecoms giant on the unproven grounds that it shares confidential data with the Chinese government
- But some local firms already use Huawei equipment and oppose a ban, which would force them to make costly technology swaps.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s government is looking for a legal way to exclude Chinese telecoms equipment maker Huawei Technologies Co. from 5G networks in Brazil, according to two sources familiar with the matter.
A presidential decree is being studied by Bolsonaro’s national security adviser Augusto Heleno and the ministry of communications who are looking at security provisions that telecoms and their suppliers must comply with, the sources said.
Bolsonaro, following his ally President Donald Trump, opposes Huawei on the unproven grounds that it shares confidential data with China’s Communist government. But, with China being Brazil’s largest trade partner, he has faced resistance from industry and within his own government, including from Vice-President Hamilton Mourão.
Brazil’s Communications Minister Fabio Faria declined to comment and Heleno’s office said it is not involved in the 5G matter.
Industry representatives said such a presidential decree could lead to a legal battle with telecoms companies that already use Huawei equipment and oppose a ban on the Chinese company because it would force them to make costly technology swaps.