As expected, President Trump today signed an executive order that could lead to Huawei networking equipment being banned in the U.S.
Trump today invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to issue an executive order that allows the Secretary of Commerce to block transactions that involve information or communication technologies from a "foreign adversary" that he feels could pose a threat to the national security of the U.S. The executive order is entitled "Securing the Information and Communications Technology and Services Supply Chain".
"The President has made it clear that this Administration will do what it takes to keep America safe and prosperous, and to protect America from foreign adversaries who are actively and increasingly creating and exploiting vulnerabilities in information and communications technology infrastructure and services in the United States," said Press Secretary Sarah Sanders.
While the executive order doesn't come out and name any country or company as its target, it's likely that Huawei is at least one of the focuses. Last year, the president banned the U.S. government from using Huawei and ZTE components in "essential" systems, and it's been said that the government is concerned that Huawei equipment could be used by the Chinese government to spy on the U.S.
"Although maintaining an open investment climate in information and communications technology, and in the United States economy more generally, is important for the overall growth and prosperity of the United States, such openness must be balanced by the need to protect our country against critical national security threats," says the executive order.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai praised the executive order. "Protecting America’s communications networks is vital to our national, economic, and personal security. I therefore applaud the President for issuing this Executive Order to safeguard the communications supply chain. Given the threats presented by certain foreign companies’ equipment and services, this is a significant step toward securing America’s networks," Pai said.
