US ramps up pressure on UK ahead of Huawei decision

The US is continuing to pressure the UK on its decision on whether to allow Chinese tech giant Huawei to be involved in the development of its 5G network.

The US threatened to cut intelligence-sharing ties reported Reuters on Wednesday.

Britain is set to decide on how it will use the equipment from Huawei in the 5G network and is still evaluating US warnings that the equipment could be used for spying by Beijing, constituting a national security risk for the UK. Also under consideration is the fact that banning the Chinese firm's equipment outright might cost billions of dollars.

A UK government spokesman said: “The security and resilience of the UK’s telecoms networks is of paramount importance. The government continues to consider its position on high-risk vendors and a decision will be made in due course.”

Huawei repeatedly denied the allegations from the US.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is expected to press British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab over Huawei at a meeting in Washington on Thursday, Reuters added.

A delegation from the US, including deputy national security adviser Matt Pottinger, had been expected to meet with British officials this week but it was cancelled at the last minute.