That’s one Huawei to put the special relationship at risk
DONALD TRUMP’S lieutenants have demanded drastic action against the UK after Boris Johnson allowed controversial Chinese mobile phone firm Huawei to build part of its 5G network.
The president’s men called the decision “wrong, dangerous and short-sighted” after the prime minister defied months of pressure from the US and let the supplier in.
One went as far as to demand a “review” of intelligence-sharing between the two countries, which could have an effect on Britain as America’s most significant eavesdropping ally.
“The short-term savings aren’t worth the long-term costs,” said Tom Cotton, the junior Oklahoma senator.
“In light of this decision, the US Director of National Intelligence should conduct a thorough review of US-UK intelligence-sharing.”
Previously, Robert Strayer a deputy assistant secretary at the US Department of State, warned the UK and other countries Huawei “was not a trusted vendor”, and any use of its technology in 5G networks was a risk.
He said if another country used an “untrusted vendor” such as Huawei, the US would “have to reassess the ability for us to share information and be interconnected”, implying intelligence-sharing could be at risk.
America is not alone in its assessment. Australia and New Zealand also say the Chinese firm is a security risk because of its ties to the state.
Welcome to the year of being the experimental rat, Britain.