I suppose the headlines Huawei garners is related to what's at stake with 5G coming into wider commercial use. Will China be able to capitalize on its little-doubted technical advantage in 5G, or will the US be able to negate this advantage by getting its allies to boycott PC 5G gear over "security" concerns? Previously we talked about its attempts to use soft power--gaining influence not through the use of coercion but rather through attraction. Apparently, though, there are limits to the Huawei folks' patience with trying to win friends and influence people. Not having been very successful swaying North American (US and Canadian) public opinion, Huawei is now resorting to old-fashioned litigation.
In Canada, detained CFO Meng Wanzhou's lawyers intend to sue the government with her extradition to the United States imminent:
Ms Meng's claim - filed in British Columbia's Supreme Court on Friday - seeks damages against the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the federal government for allegedly breaching her civil rights under Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms. She says CBSA officers held, searched and questioned her at the airport under false pretences before she was arrested by the RCMP.And speaking of the Yanks, Huawei is also preparing a case in US of A aimed at restrictions on federal purchases of its gear over alleged spying concerns:
Her detention was "unlawful" and "arbitrary", the suit says, and officers "intentionally failed to advise her of the true reasons for her detention, her right to counsel, and her right to silence".
The Chinese electronics giant Huawei is preparing to sue the United States government for banning federal agencies from using the company’s products, according to two people familiar with the matter.I don't think that Huawei actually expects the federal ban on purchases of Huawei telecoms gear to be overturned. Rather, it's an effort intended to force the US government to identify rationales for banning Huawei from federal procurement. Once identified, these rationales could serve the basis for further PRC legal action against the United States. You do have to wonder though how much mileage legal action will get them, or whether public opinion only turns more against them in North America. (PRC) heavy-handed actions do not necessarily right (North American) heavy-handed actions.
The lawsuit is due to be filed in the Eastern District of Texas, where Huawei has its American headquarters, according to the people, who requested anonymity to discuss confidential plans. The company plans to announce the suit later this week.
The move could be aimed at forcing the United States government to more publicly make its case against the Chinese equipment maker. It is part of a broad push by Huawei to defend itself against a campaign led by the United States to undermine the company, which Washington sees as a security threat. Executives have spoken out strongly against America’s actions, and new marketing campaigns have been aimed at mending the company’s image among consumers.
