Huawei spends US$1 million on lobbying in second quarter, boosting spending to counter Washington bans

Huawei’s spending on Washington lobbyists increased from US$180,000 in the first quarter, as the company was locked out of new infrastructure spending

US President Joe Biden extended a 2019 executive order that prohibits companies from using telecoms equipment made by firms that could pose a security threat

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Published: 10:08am, 21 Jul 2021Updated: 10:08am, 21 Jul 2021

Huawei Technologies Co ramped up spending on Washington lobbyists last quarter as a US ban on the company’s equipment means it would be left out of projects associated with the billions Congress plans to spend on infrastructure.

Huawei spent US$1.06 million in the second quarter of 2021, up from US$180,000 in the first quarter this year, according to disclosures filed Tuesday. The company listed broadband and infrastructure bills as specific interests, as well as trade and a digital privacy measure.

Huawei didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

President Joe Biden extended a 2019 executive order from his predecessor prohibiting US companies from using telecommunications equipment made by firms deemed to pose a national security risk, including Huawei.

That means the Chinese equipment maker would be left out of the US$65 billion that Congress plans to spend on expanding broadband access as part of a US$579 billion bipartisan infrastructure plan.

Congress also last year appropriated US$1.8 billion to help remove and replace any Huawei gear currently in use. The Federal Communication Commission approved the programme earlier this month.

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