Security, not trade, is the issue, say a handful of Senators who today pushed back against President Donald Trump’s efforts to help ZTE.
The U.S. Department of Commerce banned American companies from supplying ZTE with parts or software for a period of seven years. ZTE precipitated the ban by bungling a settlement agreement over its illegal sale of technology to Iran and North Korea.
The company ceased most operations earlier this month. Over the weekend, Trump tweeted in support of ZTE. He suggested that too many jobs were being lost in China and he wanted to help the company get back in business quickly. Speaking Tuesday, Republican and Democratic Senators suggested that Trump’s approach is not the right one.
“I confess I don’t fully understand the administration’s take on this at this point,” said Senator Mac Thornberry. “It is not a question to me of economics, it is a question of security.”
Some in the government worry ZTE and Huawei devices could be used to spy on Americans. Thornberry indicated that he doesn’t expect the Commerce Department will remove the ban. Trade emissaries from China and the U.S. are expected to meet again this week.
