MERKEL BITES BACK

GERMAN Chancellor Angela Merkel has hit back at the US after being urged to ban Chinese telecom firm Huawei.

In a clear rebuke to US officials, who have threatened to cut Germany out of intelligence-sharing arrangements if they use Huawei kit for a 5G mobile network, she said: ‘We are defining our standards for ourselves. We will also discuss these questions with our partners in Europe, as well as the appropriate offices in the US.’

The US warning was made by Berlin- based ambassador Richard Grenell last week. The embassy said: ‘This could in the future jeopardise nimble cooperation and some sharing of information.’