U.S. could decide on licenses for companies to sell to Huawei by next week – Ross

SAO PAULO/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Trump administration could reply by next week to companies which have requested particular licenses to sell to Chinese telecoms big Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross stated on Tuesday throughout a go to to Brazil.

Ross stated he expects a call on the licenses will probably be “forthcoming” by the time he returns to the United States, after making extra stops in Argentina and Peru over the next few days.

The Trump administration has warned that Huawei could be a automobile for Chinese espionage and put the corporate on a so-known as “entity list,” that means that U.S. companies that conduct enterprise with the telecoms big now require particular licenses to accomplish that.

The licensing choices would give a lot wanted readability to American companies, which have been trying for steering since U.S. President Donald Trump promised in late June to present some reduction to corporations that did enterprise with Huawei.

Ross’ feedback got here as senior Trump administration officers meet with Chinese negotiators in Shanghai this week to revive commerce negotiations that broke down in May.

Ross advised reporters in a briefing he has acquired greater than 50 purposes to this point for particular licenses to do enterprise with Huawei, however he expects to obtain extra.

“The president and I met with representatives from the supply chain industry a week ago and a number said they have not sent the requests,” Ross stated.

“We are interested in getting them all together to see them as a unified bloc.”

Ross is in Brazil as a part of centennial celebrations of the American Chamber of Commerce in Sao Paulo and will probably be touring to Brasilia on Wednesday.