EU pushes back against US on Huawei

he European Commission on Wednesday endorsed guidelines for 5G networks that would allow European Union (EU) member states to decide whether to allow “high risk” telecommunications groups, such as Chinese company Huawei, in their networks, despite strong pressure from the U.S. to ban the company.

Under the new “toolbox” that lays out measures for how EU states mitigate cyber risks posed by the rollout of 5G networks, the European Commission required member states to “assess the risk profile” of suppliers of 5G equipment, and to apply any relevant protections for groups considered “high risk,” such as Huawei, though no company was mentioned by name.

The guidelines fall short of a ban on Huawei amid U.S. fears the Chinese telecommunications company could share intelligence with Beijing.

EU member states have until April 30 to implement key measures of the new 5G security guidelines.

The EU’s decision comes the day after the United Kingdom’s National Security Council voted to allow Huawei limited involvement in the rollout of its 5G network, also going against pressure from the Trump administration to fully ban the company.

The U.K. action led lawmakers to express serious concern around continued intelligence sharing between the U.S. and the U.K.