Executive Order Restricts Access To US Telecom Markets For Equipment, Services That Impose Security Risks

On May 15, President Donald Trump signed an executive order starting the process for banning the importation, sale and use of equipment and technology in the US as a response to potential security risks. Although this order appears to be directed at Chinese telecom firms Huawei and ZTE, it potentially could apply to any communications technology, including chips, manufactured in another country.

Under the order, the secretary of the US Department of Commerce, after consulting with other agencies including the Federal Communications Commission, will determine whether equipment from foreign countries poses a security risk to the integrity of the US communications network, national security, critical infrastructure or the digital economy. The secretary can ban any transactions – broadly defined to include essentially any activities related to foreign equipment or technology, including use of the technology – or require specific measures to mitigate any risks that are