The signing comes during a global battle
between the U.S. and Huawei, the world’s
biggest maker of network infrastructure
equipment, over network security and fears of
Chinese access.
The U.S.-Poland agreement states: “Protecting
these next generation communications
networks from disruption or manipulation and
ensuring the privacy and individual liberties of
the citizens of the United States, Poland, and
other countries is of vital importance.” Both
countries pledged to endorse the principles
developed by cybersecurity officials from
dozens of countries at a summit in Prague this
year to counter threats and ensure the safety of
the next generation of mobile networks.
Pence, speaking at a news conference with Polish
President Andrzej Duda, said he hoped the
declaration would set a “vital example for the rest
of Europe on the broader question of 5G.”
The U.S. has been lobbying allies to ban Huawei
from 5G networks over concerns the Chinese
government could force the company to give it
access to data for cyberespionage. Huawei has
denied the allegation and states in Europe —
where countries are gearing up to deploy the
new networks, starting with the auction of radio
frequencies this year — have balked at U.S. calls
for an outright ban.
Pence’s chief staff, Marc Short, cited Huawei by
name in a statement that called on other nations
to “ensure that only trusted providers have
access to their developing networks.”
“We recognize 5G networks will only be as
strong as their weakest link,” he said, adding,
“We must stand together to prevent the Chinese
Communist Party from using subsidiaries like
Huawei to gather intelligence while supporting
antfer
(Antfer)
#1