Huawei Can’t Tell If Android Remains a Forbidden Fruit or Not

Huawei is in an awkward position right now, as the company can’t tell for sure whether it is allowed to use Google’s Android for new smartphones or not.

The Chinese tech giant was added to a blacklist preventing a series of companies from working with American firms back in mid-May. The executive order signed by US President Donald Trump blocked Huawei from using software and hardware developed by American companies, including here Google’s Android.

Shortly after that, Huawei accelerated work on a pending project that was supposed to help it reduce reliance on American companies, including the development of an in-house operating system called HongMeng.

Ban believed to be lifted

Last week, however, President Trump told G20 summit attendees that Huawei would be allowed to use software and hardware developed in the United States, essentially confirming that the ban would be lifted and the Chinese company would have access to the same tech solutions as before the sanctions.

But Huawei is yet to receive a confirmation from the US government in this regard, so the company can’t tell for sure if what President Trump said over the weekend is indeed an official position of the country or not.

“We acknowledge President Trump’s comments related to Huawei over the weekend and will wait for guidance from the Department of Commerce but have nothing further to add at this time,” Tim Danks, Huawei vice president of risk management and partner relations, was quoted as saying by Reuters.

According to the ban, Huawei is no longer allowed to use Android for the development of new smartphones, and this would have pushed back the release of several key products. Without a confirmation regarding the removal of the ban, Huawei still doesn’t know if it can use Android for upcoming models, and this delay could too have an impact on the release of these devices.