EU Plans to Ban Huawei and ZTE from All European Telecom Networks
The European Commission is poised to take a significant step in its cybersecurity policy: it is considering an outright ban on Huawei and ZTE across all European telecommunications networks.
This decision would not affect Huawei’s smartphones or consumer products — at least not directly.
It would mainly target infrastructure equipment, such as 5G antennas, routers, and centralized systems used by operators to manage mobile and high-speed internet networks.
From Recommendation to Legal Obligation
According to Bloomberg, the Commission’s Vice President, Henna Virkkunen, aims to transform the 2020 European recommendation — which advised against using “high-risk” suppliers — into binding regulation.
In other words, the 27 member states would be legally required to remove Huawei and ZTE equipment from their 5G and wired networks. Non-compliance could lead to financial or legal penalties.
“The security of our 5G networks is vital for our economy,” stated Thomas Regnier, spokesperson for the European Commission.
This measure would centralize decision-making in Brussels, limiting each country’s autonomy in selecting its technology suppliers — a power that has traditionally been national.
A Tense Geopolitical Context with China
This proposal comes amid an increasingly strained political and economic climate between the EU and China. Europe has been concerned for several years about its technological dependence on Beijing, especially in strategic sectors such as telecommunications, batteries, and semiconductors.
European authorities believe that the close ties between Huawei and the Chinese government could pose risks of espionage or sabotage. The goal is to safeguard critical infrastructures from possible foreign interference — a concern already addressed by the United States in 2019 with heavy restrictions on Huawei.
Critics argue that this decision is more political than security-driven. According to Huawei and Beijing, this ban would be a protectionist measure that would slow down 5G deployment in Europe and increase costs for operators.
Pressure on Third-Party Countries
The European Commission is also considering extending its influence beyond EU borders. One option under review is to suspend certain European funding to partner countries that continue to use Chinese equipment in projects supported by Brussels.
In short, the EU aims to create a unified technological front aligned with Western security standards and to reduce Chinese industrial influence within its infrastructures.
What About Consumers?
In practical terms, this decision would have no immediate impact on Huawei smartphones already present in Europe. Users will still be able to buy and use devices from the brand.
However, the message is clear: Huawei is gradually being pushed out of the European market. Following American restrictions and its declining market share in mobile devices, the ban on its telecom infrastructures could represent another significant blow to its business on the continent.
Huawei will likely continue to refocus on other markets (notably Asia, Africa, and Latin America) and develop consumer products, AI, and cloud solutions to offset the loss of its network sector.
If adopted, this ban would signify a major shift in the EU’s digital policy. It would reflect Brussels’ growing intent to align with American strategy toward China while asserting European technological sovereignty — even at the risk of weakening its own operators in the short term.
The tug-of-war between security, economy, and diplomacy is only just beginning.
