BEIJING -- The U.S. government's move last week to bar ZTE from buying American technology looks set to not only cripple the Chinese smartphone maker, but reverberate through the global telecommunications supply chain as well.
"We're blocked from calling or exchanging technology with [American] business partners like Qualcomm, Intel and Broadcom," a ZTE insider said with a hint of resignation. Chinese media have reported that even though the company's parts inventories should last another month, production has already slowed to a near standstill.
