Republican Lawmakers Criticize Reports of Approved Huawei Licenses

Several Republican lawmakers criticized the Biden administration this week for reportedly (see 2108250018) granting export licenses for companies to ship hundreds of millions of dollars worth of auto chips to Huawei. The licenses reportedly were approved within the past several months and authorized only exports of auto chips, which are viewed as less sensitive than other types of semiconductor-related items.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., vice chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said the approved applications represent President Joe Biden’s “failure to protect America’s economic and national security.” He also said the administration should be “increasing penalties and restrictions on Huawei” and other Chinese technology companies instead of granting waivers. “The Biden administration cannot be allowed to hide this approval from the public,” Rubio said Aug. 26. “Officials need to come forward with what actions they took and why. It is not in America’s economic or security interests to help Huawei.”

Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., said the move weakens national security and allows Huawei access to U.S.-origin technology. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said the administration is “granting favors to China.” Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., called the license approvals a “foreign policy blunder.” Democratic leadership on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Intelligence Committee didn’t comment.

A spokesperson for the Commerce Department, which evaluates export license applications, declined to comment on specific license approvals or denials because they are “prohibited from disclosure” under the Export Control Reform Act. “The Bureau of Industry and Security continues to work with our interagency partners to apply consistently the licensing policies articulated in the Export Administration Regulations to restrict Huawei’s access to commodities, software, or technology for activities that could harm U.S. national security and foreign policy interests,” the spokesperson said.