Catenaa, Monday, November 17, 2025-The European Commission is preparing new rules that could compel all European Union member states to remove Chinese telecom firms Huawei and ZTE from their 5G and broadband networks, officials familiar with the plan told Bloomberg.
The proposal would convert the EU’s 2020 nonbinding guidance against “high-risk vendors” into a legal requirement, forcing countries to comply with the bloc’s security recommendations.
The effort, led by Commission Vice President Henna Virkkunen, follows mounting pressure from Washington, which classifies Huawei as a national security threat.
The plan also includes potential limits on Chinese-made equipment in fixed-line broadband networks. Commission officials are reportedly considering withholding Global Gateway funding, Europe’s major infrastructure investment program, from countries using Huawei gear in EU-backed projects.
Despite rising security concerns, several EU nations remain divided. Germany and Finland are weighing tighter restrictions, while Spain and Greece continue to allow Huawei in their telecom networks.
Sweden remains the only EU member to have fully banned Huawei, a move that triggered a sharp backlash from Beijing.
Telecom operators warn that a full ban could raise costs and delay network rollouts due to Huawei’s competitive technology and pricing.
China’s Foreign Ministry has called the EU’s classification of Huawei and ZTE as “high-risk” suppliers politically driven and without factual basis.
