HUAWEI BAN IS OVERDUE

There were two competing headlines doing the rounds in Canada on Wednesday morning. Sadly, they tell us all we need to know about Canada’s soft response to China.

One was American, courtesy of Forbes: “Trump Signs Executive Order That Will Lead To U.S. Ban On Huawei”.

Here’s the opposing one, courtesy of Global News: “Canada will take ‘measured approach’ on possible U.S. ban of Huawei: Morneau”

The first one is an example of leadership. The second, wishy-washy behaviour.

For a while now, both private and government security voices around the world have flagged concerns with Chinese tech giant Huawei. The allegations — which the company denies — are that the company can’t be trusted to play a role in developing 5G internet grids because of its close ties to the Communist government in Beijing. There have been concerns that this new generation of internet will allow China to watch and listen to people and companies using its devices. These are very serious concerns and because of them some of our Five Eyes allies and a number of academic institutions have severed their ties with Huawei.

The case for Canada to do likewise was strong enough on its own. But now that China is turning the screws on us in response to the arrest of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver, the case to ban Huawei has only increased.

The U.S. administration appears to want to do this, they are just looking for the right time and opportunity. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has been firm in his words on the broader issue.

“China steals intellectual property for military purposes,” Pompeo said recently in London, England. “It wants to dominate AI, space technology, ballistic missiles and many other areas. Why would anyone grant such power to a regime that has already grossly violated cyberspace?

Canada has failed to offer anything resembling such strong words.

“As with anything, we need to take a measured approach to how we deal with companies in Canada and with our international relations,” Finance Minister Bill Morneau said Wednesday morning.

That won’t cut it. Canada needs to take a stand. What’s the hold-up?

This editorial first appeared in the Toronto Sun.