A Reuters exclusive report states that the European Commission will next week ignore U.S. calls to ban Huawei Technologies but urge EU countries to share more data to tackle cybersecurity risks related to 5G networks.
Reuters reports that people familiar with the matter said that European digital chief Andrus Ansip will present the recommendation on Tuesday. Ansip will tell EU countries to use tools set out under the EU directive on security of network and information systems, or NIS directive, adopted in 2016 and the recently approved Cybersecurity Act, the sources said.
While the guidance does not have legal force, it will carry political weight which can eventually lead to national legislation in European Union countries.
The United States has lobbied Europe to shut out Huawei, saying its equipment could be used by the Chinese government for espionage. Huawei has strongly rejected the allegations and earlier this month sued the U.S. government over the issue.
The Commission will not call for a European ban on global market leader Huawei, leaving it to EU countries to decide on national security grounds.
The Commission said the recommendation would stress a common EU approach to security risks to 5G networks.
Big telecoms operators oppose a Huawei ban, saying such a move could set back 5G deployment in the bloc by years. In contrast, Australia and New Zealand have stopped operators using Huawei equipment in their networks.
The industry sees 5G as the next money spinner, with its promise to link up everything from vehicles to household devices.
Alongside from the Huawei issue, the bloc also plans to discuss Chinese subsidies, state involvement in the Chinese economy and more access to the Chinese market at an EU-China summit on April 9.
Via Reuters
