UK faces choice on Huawei with global implications

LONDON (AP) — Britain faces a crucial choice on Tuesday over whether to allow China's Huawei Technologies to build its next-generation wireless networks.

The decision has implications for the country's diplomatic relations with the United States, which is pushing allies to shun the Chinese company over cybersecurity concerns.

And Britain's choice will feed into a wider battle between the U.S. and China over technological supremacy that has seen the world's two biggest economies engage in a damaging trade war.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Britain's National Security Council is poised to decide whether to allow Huawei to build parts of its new high speed cellular network known as 5G, an infrastructure program the country sees as critical to its economic future. But Huawei has come under scrutiny because of worries that communist leaders in Beijing could, under China's 2017 national intelligence law, compel the company to carry out cyberespionage. The United States has been pressing allies to shun Huawei and has threatened to cut off intelligence cooperation with Britain if it gives Huawei access. Supporters say Britain needs Huawei's expertise and that security issues can be managed. The company denies it would give data access to the Chinese government.

WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT

Days away from leaving the European Union and desperately needing to secure its future outside of the trading bloc, Britain is now caught in the middle of a geopolitical battle between the U.S. and China - both important trading partners. Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government finds itself in the awkward position of risking the fury of its closest ally at just the moment it really needs President Donald Trump's administration to quickly strike a trade deal. Britain is also loathe to insult Beijing....