U.S. law says intelligence agencies must consider whether a country uses Huawei networking gear before agreeing to share intelligence with it

The U.S. is so serious about getting its allies to back off the use of Huawei networking gear that it passed a law that threatens to restrict the sharing of intelligence with countries that allow the use of Huawei’s equipment for their 5G networks. Part of the U.S. 2020 defense spending law states that U.S. intelligence agencies must consider whether a country uses telecom and cybersecurity equipment “provided by adversaries of the United States, particularly China and Russia,” before agreeing to an intelligence-sharing deal with it. Republican Senator Tom Cotton, who added the above provision to the defense spending bill, is reportedly working on a new draft bill that would “significantly restrict” intelligence-sharing with countries that use Huawei equipment in their 5G networks. The senator told Reuters that “I’m profoundly concerned about the possibility that close allies, including the U.K., might permit the Chinese Communist Party effectively to build their highly sensitive 5G infrastructure.”

Speaking about the U.S., one person familiar with Britain’s position on Huawei says that Washington acts as though it is “cocking the pistol.” He continues on to note, “What’s unclear is how, when or indeed if it will actually be fired.” Meanwhile, a spokesman for the U.K. says, “The security and resilience of the UK’s telecom networks is of paramount importance. The government continues to consider its position on high-risk vendors and a decision will be made in due course.” Last year, Britain decided to ban the use of Huawei’s equipment from the important parts of its 5G network, limiting its use to parts deemed to be less critical; however, it is important to note than no final decision has been made. Whatever Britain  decides, the sharing of intelligence between these two long-time allies is at stake.