FX.co ★ Ericsson threatens to leave Sweden if ban on Huawei continues

Recently, Chinese-based tech company Huawei has faced numerous allegations that its wireless network equipment could enable spying from the Chinese government. Notably, many countries worldwide have already refused to cooperate with the Chinese phone manufacturer over concerns that its close ties with the Chinese government present a national security threat. So, it is hardly surprising that no one wants Huawei to participate in the 5G construction in their countries. Sweden has become the latest country to ban the use of equipment from Chinese telecom giants Huawei and ZTE in building 5G mobile networks in its territory. China could not ignore this decision and warned that Swedish companies could face a negative impact if the ban was not revoked. Reportedly, Borje Ekholm, Chief Executive Officer of Swedish telecom giant Ericsson, urged Foreign Trade Minister Anna Hallberg to review the ban. Otherwise, Ericsson would leave Sweden if the ban on Huawei continues, Ekholm said. However, the minister denied having any contact with Ericsson’s CEO or the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS). Hallberg stressed that she “would never step in as minister and influence the decisions of individual authorities.”