This archive report was first published on 25 November 2019.
On November 20, the US Commerce Department granted Microsoft's request for a license to export mass-market software to Huawei, paving the way for the Chinese tech giant to resume its computer business.
According to a Microsoft spokesperson, the software giant is now able to export mass-market software to Huawei, including Windows and other Microsoft software.
Microsoft's license is a welcome development for Huawei's Matebook laptop lineup, which was hit hard by the US trade ban against the Chinese tech giant.
As a result of the ban, Huawei was forced to cancel at least one laptop launch and sell some Matebook laptops running Linux in its home market of China.
However, with Microsoft's license in place, Huawei will be able to offer Windows on its new laptops, potentially reviving its PC aspirations.
But the ball is still in the hands of the Commerce Department, which has yet to grant licenses to other major players like Google and Intel.
