U.S. is Trying to Block China Mobile's Entry to the Country
The U.S. government is trying to block China Mobile from offering services to the country's telecommunications market, claiming that the move would result in increased risks to U.S. law enforcement and national security interests.
In 2011, China Mobile applied for a Section 214 license through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to offer telecommunications services from within the United States. Per international licensing procedures, the FCC requested Executive Branch views on whether the application for the license was in the public interest of the United States.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) said in a statement that FCC should deny the application.
"After significant engagement with China Mobile, concerns about increased risks to U.S. law enforcement and national security interests were unable to be resolved. Therefore, the Executive Branch of the U.S. government, through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration pursuant to its statutory responsibility to coordinate the presentation of views of the Executive Branch to the FCC, recommends that the FCC deny China Mobile's Section 214 license request," said David J. Redl, Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information, U.S. Department of Commerce.
The trade frictions between Washington and Beijing continue. The United States is set to impose tariffs on $34 billion worth of goods from China on July 6, which Beijing is expected to respond to with tariffs of its own.
Another Chinese firm that has been caught in the crosshairs of the trade spat is ZTE Corp.
ZTE is in the process of getting the ban lifted and recently announced a new board, but its settlement deal with the United States is facing opposition from some lawmakers in Washington.