US President Trump signed an executive order to ban on Huawei in the US on May 15, prohibiting purchase or use of any information and communications technology or service produced by anyone or any firm which poses an “undue risk of sabotage” to US national security. Huawei and 68 affiliates then were placed to the ‘Entity List’. In responses to the US move, a number of global tech giants announced their ties with Huawei.
On May 20, the US Department of Commerce temporarily loosened Huawei ban for 90 days to allow American companies to do business with Huawei and its affiliates. The license was effective on May 20.
On May 19:
Google announced to suspend business with Huawei, including transfers of hardware, software and technical services except those publicly available via open source licensing (Reuters). This means that Huawei can only use the public version of Android Open Source Project. However, it will not have access to popular Google services on Android, including Gmail, Google Play Store and YouTube because Google controls access to them.
On May 20:
Chipmaker giants Intel Corp, Qualcomm Inc, Broadcom Inc and Xilinx Inc cut off business with Huawei. The suspension took effect immediately.
Optical components maker Lumentum Holdings stopped shipments to Huawei.
Google said that existing Huawei phone users will still be able to access Google Play Store and enjoy Google Play Protect services.
Germany chipmaker Infineon, however, announced it will continue shipment to Huawei. In an announcement, the company said, “only goods originating in the United States were affected by the export controls, and it had flexibility to reconfigure supply chains to address changes in applicable laws.”
On May 21:
Radio frequency chipmaker QORVO Inc said it will obey the US administration order to suspend business with Huawei.
On May 22
Microsoft stopped selling MateBook X Pro laptop on its online retail stores.
Portuguese company Aptoide is negotiating with Huawei to replace Google Play Store.
UK chip designer ARM owned by Softbank has halted business with Huawei to comply with the US order.
Three major Japanese mobile carriers Softbank Corp, KDDI and NTT Docomo announced the same day that they will postpone release of Huawei phone P30, initially set for late May.
On May 23:
Google removed Huawei Mate 20 Pro from Android Q Beta list.
Wireless company InterDigital said it can license its 5G network technology to Huawei despite the US ban on selling chips and softwares to Huawei.
Japanese electronics giant Panasonic Corp said it will stop supplying some components which are US-originated to comply with the US ban.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company said it will continue supplying Huawei.
UK mobile carriers EE pulled Huawei phones from UK 5G launch. Huawei 5G phones will not be sold by EE to operate on the network
Japan’s Toshiba temporarily suspended shipments to Huawei to scrutinize whether any of their electronic devices violates the US ban and said it had resumed some shipment to Huawei.
(Cover image credit: Fossbytes)