Texas Republicans applaud UK decision to ban Chinese tech company from 5G network

U.S. Reps. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Mac Thornberry (R-TX) earlier this week commended action in the United Kingdom to ban Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., a Chinese multinational technology company, from the UK’s 5G network.

“The Chinese Communist Party’s [CCP] determination to control the future of 5G through their proxy company Huawei poses a significant threat,” said Rep. McCaul, ranking member on the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee. “No country’s data is safe if Huawei or any CCP-linked company has control over it.”

Rep. Thornberry, ranking member of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, joined U.S. Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), committee chairman, in issuing a joint statement that called the UK ban “a reassuring development that will benefit not only British security and privacy, but the ability of our countries to work even more closely together on vital security matters.”

“Both our countries have much work ahead to replace Huawei equipment in our networks as soon as possible,” Reps. Thornberry and Smith said.

Rep. Thornberry’s statement pointed out that technical experts have determined that it’s impossible for Huawei to have partial access to another country’s network without the core network being exposed to significant risk.

“Given the Chinese government’s relationship with Huawei, it is critical that our partners and allies understand the depth and breadth of the risk posed by the company’s involvement in the development of their respective 5G infrastructure,” according to their statement. “Our countries must continue working together to accelerate real innovation and competition in telecommunications.”

In a separate statement, Rep. McCaul said he was pleased to see the UK take the necessary steps to begin to protect itself from high-risk vendors like Huawei. “I strongly encourage all European and other countries to follow the UK’s lead,” he said.