US bans Chinese tech equipment sales amid security risk

In response to the dangers to national security, the United States has prohibited the import and sale of new communications equipment produced by Huawei Technologies and ZTE in China.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the United States announced on Friday that it had adopted the final regulations, which forbid the sale or import of equipment made by the Chinese companies Dahua Technology, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology, and Hytera Communications.

“The new rules prohibit the authorization of equipment through the FCC’s Certification process and make clear that such equipment cannot be authorised under the supplier’s Declaration of Conformity process or be imported or marketed under rules that allow exemption from an equipment authorization,” the FCC said in a statement.
“The Covered List (which lists both equipment and services) currently includes communications equipment produced by Huawei Technologies, ZTE Corporation, Hytera Communications, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology, and Dahua Technology (and their subsidiaries and affiliates),” it added.

According to the FCC, new regulations have been approved that forbid the sale or importation of communications equipment into the United States if it is thought to pose an unacceptable risk to national security.

It further states that this is the Commission’s most recent effort to safeguard US communications networks.

Washington has recently taken a number of steps to create a more reliable and secure supply chain for communications products and services within the United States.

The Biden administration proposed a comprehensive set of export curbs last month, prohibiting Chinese firms from acquiring sophisticated semiconductors and chip-making machinery without a licence.

According to CNN, the rule also limits assistance for the “development or production” of chips at specific Chinese manufacturing facilities.

“The US moves are a major threat to China’s technological ambitions,” said Mark Williams and Zichun Huang, analysts at Capital Economics, in a recent research report quoted by the American broadcaster.
Earlier, the US banned sales of some tech products to specific Chinese companies. However, this prevents exports of advanced chips to China in a much more expansive way.