Trump adopts conciliatory tone on Huawei after Pompeo's threats

International News

President Donald Trump adopted a conciliatory tone this week toward Europe’s approach to Huawei Technologies Co., the Chinese telecom giant the US has demanded its allies abandon over security concerns.
The Trump administration has engaged in a combative global campaign for months to keep Huawei products out of future 5G broadband networks, including threats to curb intelligence-sharing with allies if they don’t comply. The US alleges that China could use Huawei equipment for spying, a charge the company’s executives have repeatedly denied.
Trump had the opportunity during meetings with leaders of the UK and Ireland this week to badger them about Huawei and amplify his administration’s threats. He’s instead taken a more cooperative approach.
“We deal very closely with -- as you know -- with your intelligence and your security and we’re working on that together. And I know you’re concerned like we’re concerned, we’re all concerned about it,” Trump told Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on Wednesday at Shannon Airport. “We’re working on it together very much with not only Europe but with Ireland.”
After a meeting with UK Prime Minister Theresa May a day earlier, he dismissed the idea of cutting Britain off from US intelligence-gathering.
‘No Limitations’
“We have an incredible intelligence relationship and we will be able to work out any differences,” Trump said in a joint news conference with May. “I see absolutely no limitations. We’ve never had limitations. This is a truly great ally and partner, and we’ll have no problem with that.”

 Asked directly whether he was prepared to curb information sharing if Britain placed no restrictions on Huawei, Trump answered: “No.”