US urging allies to drop China’s Huawei: report

The U.S. government has begun reaching out to key allies around the world in an effort to get them to stop using Chinese telecommunications firm Huawei, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday. 

Trump administration officials have reportedly briefed government counterparts, as well as wireless and internet service providers, in countries including Germany, Italy and Japan, amid national security concerns over the Chinese tech giant.

{mosads}Some officials also told the Journal the U.S. is considering giving financial aid to countries that have declined to use Huawei.

The Hill has reached out to both the White House and Huawei for comment.

The report comes after U.S. intelligence officials earlier this year warned Americans not to buy phones manufactured by Huawei and ZTE, another major Chinese tech firm. There has long been concern among American lawmakers over the companies’ suspected ties to the Chinese government.

According to the Journal report, one major concern among Trump officials is the use of Huawei technology in countries that have a prominent American military presence. 

The global push, which reportedly predates the Trump administration, also comes as the world prepares for a new era of wireless technology known as 5G. With people becoming more and more internet-dependent, U.S. officials are increasingly sounding the alarm over the potential for Chinese spying.

Huawei is the world’s No. 2 smartphone manufacturer, after South Korea’s Samsung.

Tensions between Beijing and Washington have spiked over the past year amid an escalating trade war and growing concerns over Chinese militancy in the South China Sea.