Huawei has been reported to be associated with the Chinese military.
Corinne Reichert / CNET
Huawei is owned or controlled by the Chinese military, Reuters reported Wednesday, citing an internal document from the U.S. Department of Defense. The Trump administration has reportedly sent a document to Congress of 20 Chinese companies backed by the People’s Liberation Army.
The Pentagon’s designation allows the President to declare a national emergency and to penalize the companies on the list if they operate in the United States. Axios reported that the list includes Huawei, China Mobile Communications Group, China Telecommunications and Hikvision Digital Technology.
The White House Press Office, Defense Press Office, Huawei, China Mobile, China Telecom, and Hikvision did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The follows The CIA has reportedly accused Huawei of receiving funding from the China National Security Commission, the People’s Liberation Army and a third branch of the Chinese state intelligence network over a year ago.
Huawei was blacklisted in May when it was added to the United States’ Entity List (PDF). In addition, U.S. President Donald Trump also signed an implementing regulation that essentially bans the company because of national security concerns that Huawei has close ties to the Chinese government. Huawei has repeatedly denied this charge.
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