EU aims to limit Chinese firms in vital infrastructure
The European Union is preparing new measures to keep "high-risk" Chinese suppliers out of its critical infrastructure. Tensions between Brussels and Beijing have grown as the EU adopts a tougher stance on trade and security concerns involving China. The European Commission is set to revise cybersecurity rules, potentially making bans on certain Chinese companies compulsory. The proposals also address telecoms network upgrades and the dominance of foreign firms in key sectors.
What we know
- The EU is planning to unveil proposals to restrict Chinese suppliers from critical infrastructure, citing security risks.
- The European Commission previously urged member states to exclude Huawei and ZTE from mobile networks, and now seeks to make this a mandatory ban.
- National authorities have powers to restrict high-risk vendors, but less than half of EU states have used them.
- The commission will also propose a Digital Networks Act to modernise Europe's telecoms networks and address market fragmentation.
- A draft document suggests member states will have until 2035 to phase out copper telecommunications networks in favour of faster fibre alternatives.
