Huawei debate flares up again

Telecommunications provider Føroya Tele has decided against using Huawei as a supplier of 5G technology out of practical concerns rather than as a matter of national security.

However, the other major telecoms provider in the Faroes, Nema, has yet to announce a firm decision on what supplier it wants to use, although it appears likely that it will not choose Huawei.

This has reignited the debate about national security and trade relations with China.

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The Chinese Ambassador to Denmark last year told the Faroese Prime Minister that a free trade deal would only be possible if Huawei was given the job of developing a Faroese 5G network.

US Ambassador to Denmark, Carla Sands, has urged the Faroes and Greenland not to partner up with the Chinese company, arguing that Chinese state authorities collect and misuse “shocking” amounts of data.

She said in November that Chinese law states that companies must adhere to all demands by the country’s communist party, and that in a 5G future, Huawei may be forced to disclose data about its customers.

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Now, Bill Justinussen (Miðflokkurin, the Central Party), chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, is calling on the government to make a decision on the matter rather than leaving it up to the telecoms firms decide.

“It is crucial that we show the world where we stand on this matter, and if cancelling the Huawei deal costs us a free trade deal with China, that’s something we will have to live with,” he says.

“Our trade relations with China are very important, but it’s also important to send out a signal that we are part of the Western world. Teaming up with China at this time could significantly harm our trade relations with other key export markets, not least the US.”

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Foreign minister Jenis av Rana, who is the party leader of Miðflokkurin (the Central Party), says he agrees, in principle, with his party colleague.

But he doubts whether the Huawei decision will be a deciding factor in the free trade talks with China.

“There is no need for the government to step in here. Føroya Tele has already made a decision not to use Huawei, and it appears that Nema will be making the same decision.”

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The foreign minister will meet with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday as part of Pompeo’s visit to Denmark.

“If this matter is brought up at the meeting, I will tell him that our telecoms firms have made a decision that is in line with the wishes of the United States and the Faroese government.”

Translated by prosa.fo