Virkkunen: “Unsatisfactory 5G measures to reduce dependence on China”

Brussels – Little and too slowly. The EU, which proclaims it wants to break free from dependence on China, is not doing enough to move from words to deeds. The situation does not please the Commissioner for Technological Sovereignty, Henna Virkkunen, who calls on governments to change course: “The Commission has assessed that Huawei and ZTE pose substantially higher risks than other 5G providers.” The assessment dates back to June of 2023. Yet, more than a year later, the EU executive retains that “the current situation with regards to the 5G Toolbox implementation by Member States is not satisfactory,” the commissioner said.

The telephone and Internet in Europe is still too Chinese. Without prejudice to purely national prerogatives in security matters, the College of Commissioners believes that member states should “accelerate their efforts” in reducing the presence of Chinese companies. In response to a parliamentary question, Virkunen specifies that the 27 member states should “put in place as soon as possible restrictions on high-risk suppliers as necessary.” So, there needs to be a brake on Huawei and ZTE. 

It is even more imperative given the desire and the pursuit of an all-new competitiveness. The head of Technology Sovereignty recalls how the Draghi report emphasizes that “further action is needed to avoid critical dependencies on individual suppliers, reduce the EU’s supply chain risks from high-risk suppliers, and protect its critical infrastructure.” In the case of telecommunications and Chinese companies in the sector, this is not happening.