EU Moves to Legally Ban Huawei and ZTE from 5G Networks

• •The EU is moving to legally ban Huawei and ZTE from its connectivity infrastructure.
• •Only 11 of 27 EU member states had previously taken action against these vendors by early 2024.
• •China has threatened retaliation in response to the EU's recommendations.

On May 4, 2026, the European Commission recommended that member states exclude Huawei and ZTE from their connectivity infrastructure, expanding previous recommendations from 2020. This recommendation is part of a broader legislative effort to make these restrictions legally binding, addressing the perceived high risks these suppliers pose to EU security. The Commission's earlier voluntary measures were deemed ineffective, with only 11 of the 27 member states implementing concrete security measures against these vendors by February 2024. The new draft cybersecurity law aims to enforce the removal of high-risk supplier components within 36 months, with penalties for non-compliance. The Commission's stance is supported by intelligence assessments from various member states, which cite national security concerns regarding Huawei and ZTE. The situation has escalated tensions, with China threatening retaliation against these actions.