Jean MartinRepublican lawmakers have voiced strong criticism against the Biden administration following the unveiling of a new laptop by Chinese telecoms giant Huawei, powered by an Intel AI chip.
The move has reignited concerns about the flow of U.S. technology to Huawei despite ongoing trade restrictions imposed by the United States.
Background on Huawei Trade Restrictions:
Huawei was placed on a trade restriction list in 2019 for violating Iran sanctions, leading to stringent regulations on its access to U.S. technology.
While a license issued by the Trump administration allowed Intel to ship central processors to Huawei for laptops since 2020, there were expectations that the permit would expire later this year.
Surprise and Anger Among China Hardliners:
The unveiling of Huawei’s MateBook X Pro, equipped with Intel’s new Core Ultra 9 processor, has sparked surprise and anger among China hardliners.
They perceive it as a sign that the Commerce Department approved shipments of the new chip to Huawei despite expectations that the license would not be renewed.
Growing Pressure on the Biden Administration:
The reaction from Republican lawmakers underscores the growing pressure on the Biden administration to take more decisive action against Huawei’s technological advancements.
Despite efforts to restrict Huawei’s access to U.S. technology, unveiling the new laptop highlights ongoing challenges in thwarting its rise.
Calls for Action and Frustration:
Republican Congressman Michael Gallagher expressed frustration, questioning why the Department of Commerce continues to allow U.S. technology to be shipped to Huawei.
Similarly, Congressman Michael McCaul called for an end to Huawei approvals, emphasizing the need for policy changes in light of the ongoing situation.
