US delays Huawei ban for 90 days

The sanctions on Huawei are likely to impact US firms selling billions of dollars of components to the Chinese tech giant - AFP Photo

The US Commerce Department will allow Huawei Technologies to purchase American-made goods in order to maintain existing networks and provide software updates to existing Huawei handsets.

The company is still prohibited from buying American parts and components to manufacture new products without licence approvals that likely will be denied.

The roll back, which is in effect for 90 days, suggests changes to Huawei's supply chain may have immediate, far-reaching and unexpected consequences.

"It appears the intention is to limit unintended impacts on third parties who use Huawei equipment or systems," said Washington lawyer Kevin Wolf, a former Commerce Department official. "It seems they're trying to prevent network blackouts."

Huawei did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

On Thursday, the US Commerce Department added Huawei and 68 entities to an export blacklist that makes it nearly impossible for the Chinese company to purchase goods made in the United States. Huawei is now on a list of entities that are banned from doing business with US companies without licences that will be extremely difficult to obtain.

Reuters reported on Friday that the department was considering the temporary move to allow time for companies and people who have Huawei equipment to maintain the reliability of their communications networks and equipment, citing a government spokeswoman.

Monday's posting said the reprieve was created as a temporary general licence, in effect until Aug 19, that allows Huawei to purchase goods to maintain existing networks and equipment and provide software updates to existing Huawei handsets.

The entities list identifies companies believed to be involved in activities contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests of the United States.

Reuters reported on Sunday that Google suspended business with Huawei that requires the transfer of hardware, software and technical services except those publicly available via open source licensing, citing a source familiar with the matter.