Commerce Issues 90-Day Extension for Huawei Temporary General License

The Commerce Department renewed the temporary general license for Huawei and 114 of its non-U.S. affiliates until Feb. 16, Commerce announced Nov. 18. The renewal -- the license’s second extension (see 1908190039) since it was issued in May -- authorizes certain specific activities and transactions, including those related to existing network operations of mobile services, despite Huawei's addition to the Entity List.

The general license's window of authorized activities remains narrow and still requires exporters, re-exporters and transferors who use the license to keep certifications and records “to be made available when requested” by the Bureau of Industry and Security. All exports subject to the Export Administration Regulations continue to require a license. Applications for specific licenses remain under a review policy of presumption of denial.

The license is aimed at helping to continue services for carriers operating in “remote” U.S. areas, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said, suggesting the agency is still reluctant to allow exports that may impact U.S. national security. “The Department will continue to rigorously monitor sensitive technology exports to ensure that our innovations are not harnessed by those who would threaten our national security,” Ross said in a statement.

Commerce has yet to issue decisions on Huawei-related license applications despite Ross saying in July the decisions would be made within “weeks” (see 1907240030). On Nov. 3, Ross said the agency planned to issue the licenses “very shortly” (see 1911040031). Commerce has said it received more than 200 applications (see 1910220067).