Confident that European nations would keep China away in the rollout of 5G networks, says US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
After meeting the Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, the United States’ Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is optimistic that European countries would act to stop China from acquiring their users’ confidential data through its 5G networks.
According to reports, Pompeo’s primary task on the week-long tour of the European Eastern Mediterranean region has been rallying support in the continent for an anti-China push, advising European countries not to use technology supplied by the Chinese telecom giant Huawei in 5G networks. The United States insists it is a security threat and that the company should be blocked from taking part in the rollout of 5G networks.
“We don’t want our citizens’ data in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party,” Pompeo said.
Superb trip to beautiful Croatia. I’m proud of our shared commitment to enhancing our security cooperation, and appreciate Croatia’s role in advancing European energy independence.
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) October 2, 2020
On 5G security, the US has signed declarations with many European countries, including Poland, the Czech Republic, and Estonia.
Earlier, the US had announced sanctions on the Chinese multinational technology company Huawei, alleging corporate espionage, and citing national security threats. However, Beijing has denied all the accusations being levelled by Washington.
Last month, Canada’s Conservative party leader Erin O’Toole had also said their government will prohibit Chinese company Huawei from the development of the country’s 5G network.