Huawei Expects Eventual Supply Chain Security Prerequisites for Suppliers

Companies increasingly will limit supply chain relationships to suppliers that participate in authorized economic operator supply chain security programs, said industry members in Cancun at a World Customs Organization conference. James Lockett, Huawei head-trade facilitation, said Tuesday he expects AEO status to someday be a prerequisite for all the company's suppliers. While it's still too early to make that requirement, it seems to be where the company is headed, he said. AEO programs are voluntary supply chain security programs administered by customs regimes which can help speed up customs processing, and such arrangements are sometimes recognized by national governments.