EU urge Boris Johnson to call Donald Trumps bluff to withdraw intelligence if Huawei build Britains 5G network

0
84

THE EU has urged Boris Johnson to call Donald Trumps bluff over Huawei in a boost to the PMs stand off with the White House.

The PM is on the verge of defying the US presidents demands to allow the Chinese telecoms giants limited access to the new 5G network with non-core elements, such as aerials.

Boris Johnson is on the verge of allowing Huawei to build Britain’s 5G network system
Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw intelligence from the UK if Boris Johnson gives Huawei access to our 5G system

Europes Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan dubbed the US presidents threat to withdraw intelligence sharing if the move goes ahead as a bit of sabre rattling.

Mr Hogan added: I dont think that will happen at the end of the day. You can call their bluff on that one.

We cant say to Huawei you cant come into the European Union. If they implement the rules of the game, all competition is welcome.

But the EU chief tore in to the PMs hopes of getting a full trade deal with the EU in place by the end of the year, dubbing it just not possible.

Mr Hogan insisted: Certainly by the end of the year we are not going to get everything thats in the 36-page document on the future relationship agreed, because Prime Minister Johnson decided we are going to have everything concluded by the end of the year.

Calling on Mr Johnson to change his mind and agree to extend the transition period for longer talks, he added: I think weve seen that putting ourselves into timelines in the last few years have not been that helpful, especially in the way it played out in the House of Commons.

The skirmish came as German leader Angela Merkel warned Brussels that Brexit is a wake up call for the EU.

The German Chancellor said she was worried the UK could pose a serious economic threat to the EU, and the bloc has to lift its game to stay relevant.Other European countries such as Germany have already given the green light to limited Huawei involvement in their 5G networks, arguing the security risk is manageable.

But Australia has refused to allow the state-sponsored Chinese giant any access, branding it too much of a security risk.