Huawei Technologies will file a lawsuit against the United States in 2019, challenging global efforts to exclude its telecom equipment from Western markets. The company denies allegations its technology could enable Chinese government surveillance, while citing a 2017 Chinese law mandating corporate cooperation with national intelligence activities as a basis for Western restrictions.
Founder Ren Zhengfei stated Huawei has never shared data with China’s government and will not do so. The firm is expanding its global media team, with reports of senior journalists being recruited for PR roles at salaries up to $200,000 annually, according to Reuters.
The legal action coincides with ongoing tensions over the arrest of Huawei’s chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, in Canada at U.S. request. She faces fraud charges related to alleged violations of Iran sanctions, with Canada recently approving an extradition hearing. China has accused two detained Canadians of espionage, a move seen as retaliation for Meng’s arrest.
Ren Zhengfei recently met with international media, praising U.S. President Donald Trump while avoiding direct comments on Meng’s case. Later, he condemned her arrest as politically driven. Huawei’s Rotating Chairman Guo Ping criticized U.S. surveillance programs, accusing Washington of seeking to hinder the company’s growth.
The company has launched initiatives to counter U.S. allegations, including a dedicated website and media tours of its Shenzhen headquarters. A PR official stated Huawei is adopting a more proactive stance against what it calls unfair attacks.
