Canada counters China threat of ‘repercussions’ if Huawei banned

Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale on Friday said Canada won’t be browbeaten by Beijing as it mulls whether or not to ban Huawei equipment from new telecommunication networks.

His comments come after China’s ambassador to Ottawa, Lu Shaye, on Thursday warned of “repercussions” if Canada joins intelligence-sharing allies in barring the Chinese telecom firm from its 5G cellular networks over security concerns.

Ottawa and Beijing are locked in a diplomatic row that began in early December with the arrest in Canada of Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou on US fraud charges related to alleged Iran sanctions violations.

“We’ve made abundantly clear that we will not compromise national security. We will take the appropriate analysis and take the decision ultimately that we believe to be in Canada’s interest,” Goodale said, adding that Ottawa “will not be deterred” by China’s threats over 5G.

 

Canada counters China threat of repercussions if Huawei banned

Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale on Friday said Canada wont be browbeaten by Beijing as it mulls whether or not to ban Huawei equipment from new telecommunication networks. His comments come after Chinas ambassador to Ottawa, Lu Shaye, on Thursday warned of repercussions if Canada joins intelligence-sharing allies in barring the Chinese telecom firm from its 5G cellular networks over security concerns. Ottawa and Beijing are locked in a diplomatic row that began in early December with the arrest in Canada of Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou on US fraud charges related to alleged Iran sanctions violations. Weve made abundantly clear that we will not compromise national security. We will take the appropriate analysis and take the decision ultimately that we believe to be in Canadas interest, Goodale said, adding that Ottawa will not be deterred by Chinas threats over 5G.