European split over Huawei ‘threat’ risks ruffling Western alliances as EU states build 5G partnerships despite accusations of spying
- Unsupported claims Huawei products are packed with spyware have not convinced some US allies into shifting policies to shut out the Chinese tech giant
As international pressure mounts on Huawei amid allegations about spying, European nations are walking a fine line between their economic and security interests in an issue that could divide them.
The United States is leading the charge that the company is a security threat, but the claim is not shared by all Western nations and no evidence has been produced.
“Do we have to be worried about Huawei or other Chinese companies?” European Commission Vice-President Andrus Ansip, who is responsible for the EU’s digital single market, asked a press conference in Brussels. “Yes, I think we have to be worried about those companies because they set new rules according with their IT companies, their producers.”
Ansip said the company installs chips with “mandatory back doors” that could be used to obtain secrets from customers.