China's Huawei branded a criminal enterprise as tech firm's US trial opens
The defense says: ‘It’s about competition, not conspiracy’
TL;DR
- US prosecutors allege Huawei operated as a criminal enterprise for 20 years, stealing trade secrets from American companies like Cisco Systems and T-Mobile.
- The defense claims Huawei's success is due to innovation and competition, not criminal activity, and that alleged incidents were actions by individual employees.
- The case, which began in 2018, has expanded to include racketeering charges, and former CFO Meng Wanzhou's admissions may be used as evidence.
- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson expressed firm opposition to the US "suppression and containment" of Chinese enterprises.