The Biden administration has revoked eight licenses this year that had allowed some companies to ship goods to Chinese telecoms equipment giant Huawei, according to a document first reported by Reuters, as it seeks to pressure the resurgent company.
The Commerce Department, which oversees U.S. export policy, said in May it had revoked “certain” licenses, as first reported by Reuters, but did not specify the name or number of suppliers that were impacted. Licenses for Qualcomm (QCOM.O), opens new tab and Intel (INTC.O), opens new tab were among those revoked, Reuters reported at the time.
Since the beginning of 2024, (the Commerce Department) has revoked eight additional licenses involving Huawei,” the agency said in the document, prepared in response to an inquiry by Republican Congressman Michael McCaul.
According to the document, license approvals for Huawei include “exercise equipment and office furniture and low-technology components for consumer mass-market items, such as touchpad and touchscreen sensors for tablets,” which are widely available in China from Chinese and foreign sources, the Commerce Department said.
Huawei (HWT.UL) and Qualcomm did not respond to requests for comment. Intel declined to comment. A spokesperson for the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which is chaired by McCaul, said it had received the data on Tuesday and is reviewing it.
The details shed new light on measures the Biden administration is taking to thwart Huawei, as the company has started to rebound despite Washington’s efforts to cripple it on national security grounds. Huawei has denied it is a security risk.
It also comes amid pressure from Republican China hardliners in Congress to hammer the company, which shocked industry last August with a new phone powered by a sophisticated chip manufactured by Chinese chipmaker SMIC (0981.HK), opens new tab despite U.S. export restrictions on both companies.
The phone helped Huawei smartphone sales spike 64% year on year in the first six weeks of 2024, according to research firm Counterpoint. Its smart car component business has also contributed to Huawei’s resurgence, with the company notching its fastest revenue growth in four years in 2023.
Source: Reuters
