UK's decision on Huawei 5G ban to test its US special relationship

Washington ups pressure as London set to decide on Chinese tech giant

20200127 Huawei and Union Jack

The U.K. is weighing the potential security risk of using Huawei 5G equipment versus the cost and delay of finding an alternative supplier. (Source photo by Reuters) 

RHYANNON BARTLETT-IMADEGAWA, Nikkei staff writer

LONDON -- The U.K. government is expected to announce this week whether it will ban Chinese telecom equipment maker Huawei from the country's 5G infrastructure, a decision that will serve as a bellwether for other U.S. allies facing pressure from Washington to ban the company.

The decision by the National Security Council, which is chaired by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, could come as early as Tuesday. The U.K. is weighing the potential security risk of using Huawei versus the cost and delay of finding an alternative supplier. Banning the company completely could also threaten much-needed trade and investment from China.

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