Huawei Labeled a Criminal Organisation, Alleged Misconduct Exposed
US prosecutors have described Huawei as a criminal organisation that steals technology from US companies to strengthen its telecommunications business. These allegations were presented as the trial of the Chinese technology giant commenced in a Brooklyn federal court.
US Department of Justice prosecutor Taylor Stout accused Huawei of using theft, lies, and cover-up attempts for approximately 20 years to dominate the global telecommunications industry.
“Theft, lies, cover-ups. For 20 years, that is how Huawei, a major Chinese telecommunications company, has victimised US companies and abused the American financial system, all in an attempt to dominate the telecommunications industry worldwide,” Stout stated during the government’s opening statement, as reported by Reuters.
Huawei is accused of conspiring to steal trade secrets from five US companies, including Cisco Systems’ router source code and robotic arms used by T-Mobile to test mobile phones. Prosecutors stated there is video evidence of a Huawei employee stealing the device.
However, Huawei lawyer Brian Heberlig denied the allegations. He argued that the case is about business competition and innovation, rather than a criminal conspiracy.
“This is about competition, not conspiracy. Innovation, not theft. Ordinary business matters, not criminal acts,” Heberlig said.
The Huawei case began in 2018 with allegations of bank fraud and violations of US sanctions related to the company’s business activities in Iran. The indictment subsequently expanded to include charges of racketeering, involving a pattern of illegal activities to generate profit.
The case also involved Meng Wanzhou, Huawei’s CFO at the time, who was arrested in Canada in 2018 under a US warrant. She returned to China in 2021 through a diplomatic agreement, while her charges were dropped in 2022.
The Huawei trial is expected to last approximately three months. The case is partly based on Reuters reports from 2012 and 2013 regarding Huawei’s relationship with Skycom, a company operating in Iran.
The Chinese government has also defended Huawei. A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that its government firmly opposes the oppression and restrictions placed on Chinese companies by the US.
China, it added, firmly supports Chinese companies in protecting their legitimate rights and interests.