The United States has taken a significant step in cracking down on Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei Technologies by revoking certain licenses that allow companies to ship goods to the company. The move, which was effective immediately, follows the recent release of Huawei’s first AI-enabled laptop, the MateBook X Pro, powered by Intel’s new Core Ultra 9 processor.
The decision to revoke these licenses has not been without controversy, with Republican lawmakers criticizing the US Department of Commerce for seemingly giving approval for Intel to sell the chips to Huawei. The Commerce Department confirmed the revocation of certain licenses but did not specify which ones, citing pressure from Republican China hawks in Congress.
Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik praised the action as a necessary step to strengthen US national security. However, the revocation of licenses could have adverse effects on Huawei and US suppliers who do business with the company. Intel declined to comment on the matter, while Huawei did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Huawei was placed on a US trade restriction list in 2019 over spying fears, leading to the requirement of special licenses for suppliers. Some suppliers, including Intel and Qualcomm, had previously received licenses to ship goods to Huawei. Qualcomm, for example, has been selling older 4G chips to Huawei since receiving a license in 2020. Negotiations to renew Qualcomm’s patent deal with Huawei, which expires in 2025, have already begun.
Critics argue that the issuance of such licenses has contributed to Huawei’s resurgence, particularly in the smartphone and smart car component sectors. The move to revoke these licenses represents a significant escalation in the ongoing battle between the US and Huawei, with potential implications for both companies and the broader technology sector.
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