Trudeau to ban China’s Huawei from 5G in Canada

The announcement will likely be welcomed by the Biden administration, which has sought to steer international locations away from Huawei.

Trudeau’s authorities had delayed the choice for greater than three years, as relations between the 2 international locations deteriorated [File: Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters]

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be a part of Canada’s closest intelligence allies in banning Huawei Applied sciences Co. from fifth-generation wi-fi networks, in keeping with a authorities official conversant in the choice.

The particular person stated the announcement could be made afterward Thursday. A second supply confirmed an announcement will likely be made, with out specifying what the choice could be. The 2 folks spoke on situation they not be recognized as a result of they weren’t licensed to remark.

Trudeau’s authorities had delayed the choice for greater than three years, as relations between the 2 international locations deteriorated, and a ban would virtually definitely stoke tensions.

However the long-awaited announcement will likely be welcomed by President Joe Biden’s administration, which has sought to steer international locations away from Huawei. American officers allege its gear may permit the Chinese language authorities to intrude with 5G networks. Since 2019, the US has imposed what stands out as the strongest sanctions it has ever positioned on a single firm.

Relations between the 2 nations soured dramatically after Canada’s arrest of Huawei Chief Monetary Officer Meng Wanzhou on a U.S. extradition request in December 2018. China imprisoned two Canadians, former diplomat Michael Spavor and entrepreneur Michael Kovrig, inside days of Meng’s arrest.

The high-stakes standoff was resolved final September after the U.S. struck a deferred-prosecution cope with Meng, permitting her to return to China and for the 2 Canadians to come dwelling.

However the feud has left exhausting emotions. Thursday’s announcement comes solely three days after lawmakers voted to revive a particular committee to check the nation’s ties with China. On Wednesday, the Canadian authorities introduced that China had lifted restrictions on canola imports.

The transfer, nevertheless, shouldn't pose large challenges for corporations like BCE Inc. and Telus Corp. which have used Huawei gear. Fearing an eventual ban, the 2 corporations have already begun to exclude the state-championed Chinese language agency from their 5G build-outs.

(Updates with particulars all through.)