News Desk |
The US Commerce Department is expected to extend a reprieve given to Huawei Technologies that permits the Chinese firm to buy supplies from US companies so that it can service existing customers, sources familiar with the situation said.
The “temporary general licence” will be extended for Huawei for 90 days, the sources said.
Huawei will get a general license for 90 more days https://t.co/qBrc3fEQvP
— Julian Ku 古舉倫 (@julianku) August 17, 2019
The extension renews an agreement set to lapse on August 19, continuing the Chinese company’s ability to maintain existing telecommunications networks and provide software updates to Huawei handsets.
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to discuss Huawei in a call this weekend, one of the sources said.
The situation surrounding the license, which has become a key bargaining chip for the US in its trade negotiations with China, remains fluid and the decision to continue the Huawei reprieve could change ahead of the Monday deadline, the sources said.
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to discuss Huawei in a call this weekend, one of the sources said.
Read more: Huawei emerges successful – US sanctions fail
The world’s largest telecommunications equipment maker is still prohibited from buying American parts and components to manufacture new products without additional license approvals.
When the Commerce Department blocked Huawei from buying U.S. goods earlier this year, it was seen as a major escalation in the trade war between the world’s two top economies.
The #Huawei temp license is due to expire next week. Meanwhile, China has not responded pliantly to the President’s recent #tariff move, and this could influence near term steps on #tech exports Huawei. https://t.co/uzqEhRcC0S
— MassPoint Legal and Strategy Advisory PLLC (@MassPointPLLC) August 16, 2019
While blacklisting Huawei the US government had alleged the Chinese company is involved in activities contrary to national security or foreign policy interests.
US says Huawei’s smartphones and network equipment could be used by China to spy on Americans, allegations the company has repeatedly denied.
The Commerce Department late on Friday declined to comment, referring to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross‚ comments to CNBC television earlier this week in which he said the existing licences were in effect until Monday.
Asked if they would be extended he said: “On Monday I’ll be happy to update you.”
AFP with additional input from GVS News Desk