US pressures British authorities to block Huawei from 5G network

US officials were in London on Monday in an attempt to convince the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government that Huawei would not allow the device to be used on the 5G network. The delegation argued that the UK had no way of mitigating security threats to Huawei from accessing the network, citing an unnamed person familiar with the Bloomberg conference.

Huawei is the world's second-largest phone maker, but struggling to make a dent in the US because of concerns expressed by the government, involving the FBI, the CIA, the NSA, the Federal Communications Commission and the House Intelligence Committee. The US has long accused Huawei of maintaining a strong relationship with the Chinese government, raising fears that these manufacturers' devices could be used to spy on other countries and companies.

However, Johnson told BBC Breakfast on Tuesday: "Britain is entitled to the best internet service technology possible. His government has decided that some of Huawei's gear is not available in the West, so Britain's next-generation wireless infrastructure may be left out if it does not trade with a Chinese company.

"We want to put everyone in gigabit broadband. Now if people oppose one brand or another, they should tell us what the alternative is."

In an emailed statement following Johnson's comments, a UK government spokesman said that "the security and flexibility of the UK's telecommunication network is vital".

"The government continues to look into its position on high-risk sellers and a decision will be made in due time," he wrote.

Johnson is reportedly ready to follow the leadership of Theresa May and give the controversial Chinese telecommunication equipment maker access to "controversial" parts of Britain's next-generation wireless infrastructure. The move contradicts the position of US President Donald Trump, who has banned Huawei from having links with the Chinese government. The UK is likely to decide at the end of this month about incorporating the Chinese company's devices into the network.

Huawei representatives did not respond to a request for comment, and Johnson's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Senator Marco Rubio published a letter Wednesday in which he pushed Johnson for the Huawei 5G block. Johnson, who calls the UK "a close ally" of the US and the US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said there was "ample evidence" that Huawei was linked to the Chinese government.

"There are strong communications and cyber security guards in the United Kingdom, but there are widespread and serious concerns that such actions are inadequate for the United States and the other five eye partners," writes Rubio, in conjunction with the British decision. US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand affect security.

"I hope you will immediately reject the inclusion of Huawei in any aspect of the United Kingdom's 5G."