U.S. expands counterterrorism training in Senegal

As Huawei strives to find global markets for its 5G wireless technology, the U.S. is warning countries that use of the Chinese company’s equipment could compromise their sensitive intelligence and intellectual property.

Further, use of Huawei products could harm cooperation with the United States.

The U.S. Department of State’s cyber diplomat, Robert Strayer, said in late April that if other countries allow untrusted vendors (like Huawei) to build out their 5G networks, “we will have to reassess the ability for us to share information and be connected with them in the ways that we are today.”

Any reduction in information sharing could impact international safety and prosperity. The U.S. exchanges sensitive information with countries across the globe that helps to avert transnational crimes such as terror attacks and money laundering.

The U.S. has good reason to reassess the sharing of sensitive information with governments of countries where Huawei 5G network infrastructure is installed. Huawei is required to secretly share information with the Chinese government per China’s 2017 National Intelligence Law. Huawei also has a track record that includes intellectual property theft and poor cybersecurity practices.