EU contemplates Huawei ban in 5G networks: security and economic dependence on China

The idea is emerging in Brussels of prohibiting European Union countries from using companies that could compromise the security of next-generation telecommunications networks, including Huawei. According to sources reported by the Financial Times, the European Commission would be examining the possibility of introducing a mandatory ban on member states to exploit Huawei's technologies for the development and implementation of 5G networks. In 2020, Brussels issued recommendations to protect critical infrastructure from "high-risk" providers, such as the Chinese tech giant, but these were only adopted by a third of 27 member states.

The uncertainty of the European approach towards China

The subject of China is very delicate and the EU has not yet defined how to implement a "de-risking" strategy to reduce dependence on China, without running the risk of "de-coupling", i.e. separation from China , considered equally improbable and counterproductive. The debate on Huawei's ban on 5G networks is part of the community discussions, but this does not imply that this will actually be the final choice. Some suggest the topic was raised as a move to implement non-binding community recommendations that had been agreed by the cooperation group, made up of member state authorities, the Commission and the European Cybersecurity Agency.

The insistence for greater assertiveness

The EU Commissioner, Thierry Breton, believes that the process of implementing the recommendations to mitigate the technological and political risks deriving from 5G and the services offered by Huawei is too slow. Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the Commission, made some proposals on how to proceed: the EU "must be bolder in using its current trade defense instruments to address security problems and economic distortions". However, new tools are also needed, and Brussels is looking at how best to address some "critical sectors", especially those whose production and services can be used in both the civilian and military sectors.

Discussions on the European strategy for economic security

The modalities and objectives of the European Economic Security Strategy are currently the subject of extensive discussions. Within the Commission itself there are different visions: Breton interprets the more interventionist current, while the Dombrovskis-Vestager couple is less inclined to proceed with bans, instead emphasizing the risks of economically unjustified obstacles. The EU has chosen to go down the road of "de-risking", an alternative to "de-coupling", and this is a "work in progress" which has not yet been fully defined. This economic security strategy is part of what Josep Borrell, EU external relations manager, calls a "multifaceted approach" towards China: cooperation, competition and rivalry will always be central to EU policy towards China, even if the balance between these elements may vary according to the behavior of China itself.