WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, and Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, recently sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick asking the U.S. Department of Commerce to investigate the Spanish government’s decision to contract Huawei to manage and store sensitive data relating to the country’s wiretapping services.

“I am deeply concerned by reports that Spain has contracted with Huawei to manage and store sensitive data related to the country’s wiretapping services. This decision is highly problematic, given Huawei’s well-documented ties to the Chinese Communist Party and the potential national security risks such involvement poses,”said Chairman Bilirakis. “Entrusting such critical infrastructure to an entity under significant influence from a foreign authoritarian government could jeopardize not only Spain’s internal security but also the integrity of allied intelligence sharing frameworks. This is a matter of national security, and we cannot afford to be complacent.”

“Spain’s decision to hand Huawei access to sensitive law enforcement data is deeply troubling and a direct risk to our shared security,” said Chairman Hudson.“Huawei’s ties to the Chinese Communist Party are well-documented, and this move undermines the trust and transparency that should define our alliances. The United States cannot accept double standards that block American digital trade while turning a blind eye to Chinese intrusion.”

KEY EXCERPT:

“It is deeply troubling when a treaty ally uses telecommunications equipment and services from an entity aligned with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). As you are aware, Huawei and other Chinese firms maintain documented CCP ties, posing profound risks to national and economic security.” 

[…]

“Spain’s decision underscores a regrettable trend in the European Union (EU): governments tacitly embrace Chinese technology and hold American digital trade exports to double standards.”

BACKGROUND:

• In 2019, the Trump Administration prohibited Huawei from participating in U.S. telecommunications networks over their ties to the CCP.
• In 2020, President Trump signed the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act to prohibit federal funds from being used to purchase untrustworthy equipment and help small providers remove and replace such equipment.
• The People’s Republic of China (PRC) National Intelligence Law of 2017 requires PRC individuals and entities to support PRC intelligence services.
• The EU is the largest destination for American digital trade exports, and digital trade supports more than 3 million American jobs, which means Spain’s decision could directly impact U.S. businesses and individuals.

CLICK HERE to read Fox Business coverage of the letter.

CLICK HERE to read the full letter.

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