Trump opposed to blocking out 5G

Huawei is racing to develop a 5G network with Russia's MegaFon, where a film can be downloaded in seconds. — Huawei is racing to develop a 5G network

Ryan Ding , head of Huawei’s carrier business group

Donald Trump Tweeted “I want the United States to win through competition, not by blocking out currently more advanced technologies.”

His latest comments struck a dovish tone than many others in his administration who have been lobbying US allies not to use Huawei technology in their own telecom networks for fear they could be used by Beijing for spying. Huawei is the global leader in next-generation high-speed 5G mobile network technology.

The US is taking legal action against Huawei both for breaking sanctions against Iran and for stealing US technology, as some officials in Mr Trump’s administration have been pushing for him to sign an order that could result in US companies being barred from buying Huawei technology at all.

But the president’s latest tweet signalled he was backing away from such an action, possibly as a way to soften up Beijing for a wider trade deal. Liu He, Beijing’s lead trade negotiator was to meet Robert Lighthizer, the US trade secretary in Washington yesterday.

Mr Trump also made similar change last year with Huawei rival ZTE another Chinese telecoms supplier that the president unexpectedly rescued from US sanctions.

Ryan Ding , head of Huawei’s carrier business group said “ I believe the 5G market without Huawei is like the English Premier League without Manchester United”.