In snub to US, Britain to allow Huawei in 5G networks

LONDON : Britain decided Tuesday to allow Chinese tech giant Huawei to supply new high-speed network equipment, ignoring US government warnings that it would sever intelligence cooperation if it did not ban the firm. The government’s decision on Tuesday is the first by a major US ally in Europe, and follows intense lobbying from the Trump administration and China as the two vie for technological dominance.

It sets up a diplomatic clash with the Americans, who claim that British sovereignty is at risk because the company could give the Chinese government access to data, an allegation Huawei denies.

The decision was awkward for British PM Boris Johnson, who risked the fury of one of Britain’s closest allies at just the moment it really needs Trump’s administration to quickly strike a trade deal after Brexit.