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Trump Reverses Blacklisting of Chinese Gearmaker ZTE

Last month, the US Commerce Department blocked American companies and organizations from selling gear or providing services to Chinese hardware vendor ZTE, which makes smartphones and other telecommunications equipment. The blacklisting was justified by claims that ZTE had violated sanctions by selling networking gear to Iran and North Korea, resulting in a $1.2 billion fine for evading US sanctions and misleading investigators about it.

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ZTE continues to state that it took steps to address US concerns, and denies that it failed to take adequate corrective action back in 2015. The ban effectively crippled ZTE's efforts to make inroads in the United States, especially in the US smartphone market.

A public filing (pdf) by the company indicates it ceased all "major operating activities" in the States in the wake of the ban, which also left ZTE device owners in the States suddenly stuck without needed security updates.

But just as quickly as the blacklisting of LTE occurred, President Trump has now stated he'll attempt to reverse the restrictions on ZTE after a conversation with China's top leadership.

»twitter.com/realDonaldTr ··· 8262533

The blacklisting of ZTE is part of a new protectionist effort to prevent Chinese hardware manufacturers from doing business in the United States. And while the move is being justified by some factually dubious (and hypocritical) allegations that these vendors are engaged in massive spying on Americans, keeping Chinese competition away from U.S. companies like Cisco is likely a stronger motivation. The sudden and abrupt reversal by Trump obviously complicates those efforts, much to the chagrin of the American companies lobbying for them.


Most recommended from 58 comments



P Ness
You'Ve Forgotten 9-11 Already
Premium Member
join:2001-08-29
way way out

42 recommendations

P Ness

Premium Member

I knew Obama was a traitor

I knew Obama was a traitor, helping destroy american jobs....supporting the Chinese, exporting jobs....oh wait....oh he's not president anymore.....never mind

maga maga!

Ut98Ex
join:2012-07-11
Georgetown, TX

29 recommendations

Ut98Ex

Member

Making China great again!

So all the rhetoric about bringing jobs back was nothing but BS right? Well, I guess to those of you that believed him (or still do)... As for the rest of us, we saw a long time a go that the emperor had no clothes, its just the stubborn (crazy?) people that still pretend that he does...
Ostracus
join:2011-09-05
Henderson, KY

23 recommendations

Ostracus

Member

On the other hand....

quote:
ZTE had violated sanctions by selling networking gear to Iran and North Korea, resulting in a $1.2 billion fine for evading US sanctions and misleading investigators about it.
Money talks, principles walk.

ARGONAUT
Have a nice day.
Premium Member
join:2006-01-24
New Albany, IN

1 edit

20 recommendations

ARGONAUT

Premium Member

hmmmm

I wonder if its that 500 million China just loaned Trump? 🤔
RH777
join:2018-03-06
United State

11 recommendations

RH777

Member

Reward for cooperation on NK?

Could this be some kind of reward for having China crack down on North Korea's nuclear ambitions or at least staying neutral on the US/North Korean issues?

freebird317
Premium Member
join:2004-02-23
Vancouver, WA

11 recommendations

freebird317

Premium Member

Pay to Play

I am glad Trump is not going broke anymore now that he is president, pay to play!

WHT
join:2010-03-26
Rosston, TX

5 recommendations

WHT

Member

ZTE Wasn't Totally "Blacklisted"

Corning Glass and Qualcomm were banned from exporting Corning Gorilla Glass and SnapDragon 617 processor [edited to add - for use by ZTE], which was used in the ZTE Max Pro.

The ZTE Blade Z Max uses Asahi Dragontrail tempered glass and Qualcomm Snapdragon 435.

ahulett
Premium Member
join:2003-02-02
Little Elm, TX

4 recommendations

ahulett

Premium Member

What am I missing?

"Trump Reverses Blacklisting of Chinese Gearmaker ZTE" suggests it's been reversed, but then the article says, "attempt to reverse."

Which is it?

SimbaSeven
I Void Warranties
join:2003-03-24
Billings, MT

4 recommendations

SimbaSeven

Member

Huawei?

What about Huawei? Will they get the same treatment?

cb14
join:2013-02-04
Miami Beach, FL

1 edit

2 recommendations

cb14

Member

Finally

The rabid monkey reversed his own nonsensical decision. ZTE is a good company, providing affordable choices to overpriced smartphones from other companies. Hell, a lot of people do not like it. A lot of people do not like them competing in other areas. Like if all the other stuff were made in US. Right.like if Qualcomm and others were not hurting by losing an important customer.
There are ways to ensure fair trade. This was not one of theml