China attacks US Huawei charges as trade talks resume

China has accused the US of having “strong political motives” in filing charges against Chinese telecoms giant Huawei.

Yesterday, US Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker outlined a series of allegations against Huawei, including offences related to technology theft and confidentially violations. He also announced 13 new allegations “committed by Huawei, its CFO, its affiliate in Iran, and one of its subsidiaries here in the United States.”

The charges came as Chinese Vice Premier Liu He arrived in Washington for the latest round of trade talks.

China’s Foreign Ministry issued a strongly-worded statement today (Tuesday 29 Jan) in response to the charges, accusing the US of trying to “strangle” Chinese commerce.

“For some time, the US has been using national power to tarnish and crack down on specific Chinese companies in an attempt to strangle their lawful and legitimate operations,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said.

“Behind such practices are deep political intentions and manipulations.”

The development highlights just how far apart the two sides remain on trade issues, and how business and geopolitics are closely intertwined in the current trade war. A Chinese delegation is in Washington this week as the two sides try to reach an agreement to end the current tensions. President Trump has said previously that a failure to reach a deal by 1 March 2019 will see new US tariffs implemented on Chinese imports.