Huawei has come under investigation from the U.S. government again.
The U.S. Commerce Department is investigating whether the Chinese vendor violated export controls related to Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria, The New York Times reported yesterday. The company was served with a subpoena at its U.S. headquarters in Plano, Texas, the Times reported.
Note that it’s just a subpoena so far; Huawei is not officially accused of breaking any laws. Should the situation escalate, the company could face restrictions on exporting American-made components.
Still, it’s another controversial headline for the China-based equipment manufacturer. The U.S government has long distrusted Huawei and rival ZTE, leery of their potential ties to the Chinese government.
In October 2012, a House of Representatives report “strongly encouraged” U.S. network operators to “seek other vendors” besides Huawei and ZTE.
ZTE was hit with U.S. sanctions in March, stemming from its business with Iran. But those sanctions were quickly lifted.