US may soon claim up to US$1.7 billion penalty from China’s ZTE

THE Trump administration may soon claim as much as US$ 1.7 billion penalty from ZTE Corp, as it looks to punish and tighten control over the Chinese telecommunications company before allowing it back into business, according to people familiar with the matter.

The Commerce Department is also seeking unfettered site visits to verify US components are being used as claimed by ZTE, and wants it to post calculations of the US components in its products on a website, the people said.

China’s No. 2 telecommunications equipment maker has been crippled by a ban imposed in April on buying US technology components for seven years for breaking an agreement reached after it was caught illegally shipping goods to Iran and North Korea.

The negotiations with ZTE come as US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross headed to Beijing for trade talks.

One source said Washington also wants ZTE to replace its board and executive team as soon as 30 days, but a deal still has not been finalised and the sources cautioned that the penalties were f luid and the terms could change.

Representatives from the Commerce Department and ZTE did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

American companies provide an estimated 25 to 30 per cent of components in ZTE’s equipment, which includes smartphones and gear to build telecommunications networks.

The company’s status has become an important bargaining chip in high- level trade talks between China and Washington amid reports that if the US eases up on ZTE, China will buy more American agricultural goods.

US President Donald Trump tweeted last month that he told Commerce officials to find a way for ZTE to get back into business, later mentioning a US$ 1.3 billion fine and changes to its board and top management as a way to penalize the company before allowing it back into business.

But ZTE’s possible resuscitation has met strong resistance in Congress, where both Democrats and Trump’s fellow Republicans have accused him of bowing to pressure from Beijing to help a company that has been labeled a threat to US national security.

The company, which suspended major operations in May, desperately needs a deal to get back in business, with estimates it has lost over US$ 3 billion since the April 15 ban on doing business with US suppliers, a source familiar with the matter said last week.