All redarctions are made according to Art 4.1(b) of Regulation 1049/2001
Ref. Ares(2020)6705753 - 13/11/2020
Meeting with Huawei: ITA and trade negotiations on ICT goods
Meeting date and place
Meeting held on 13/06/2018 15:00 in Charlemagne
Participating organisation(s) & representative(s)
- Huawei Technologies (TRN: 114467111412-38) Participant,
- - Huawei Technologies (TRN: 114467111412-38)
Requester,
Main issues discussed
Summary:
Meeting at the request of Huawei to exchange views on the landscape of current and emerging international regulatory frameworks
affecting the digital economy, including the Information Technology Agreement (ITA). Topics discussed included ITA’s membership, removal
of NTMs, India’s violation of its WTO bindings on certain ICT products and cybersecurity legislation.
In detail:
Huawei described its core activities/interests and was interested to learn about developments concerning trade in ICT goods, both at
the WTO as well as in the EU’s FTAs.
The Commission updated Huawei on work on ICT goods at the WTO and explained the EU’s general approach to ICT goods in FTAs,
though unable to comment on negotiations underway.
Huawei expressed its support for ITA, which it considers a key element in creating ecosystems prone to ICT investment (as it recently
conveyed to the governments of Nigeria and Cameroon).
Huawei considered that Mexico was probably a good candidate to join ITA-1.
The Commission stated its support for progress on NTMs in an ITA context, and emphasised the value of its approach on conformity
assessment.
Huawei recognised the value of NTMs removal, but pointed to the difficulty of making a business case for it.
Huawei considered that China and many countries would not be comfortable with the EU’s “libertarian approach” on conformity
assessment.
The Commission inquired about China’s and Huawei’s position on the duty increases by India on certain ICT products in violation of
its WTO bindings.
Huawei explained that there is awareness and concern in MOFCOM, but did not consider that China would join a case against India
as co-complainant in view of its strategy towards the BRICs.
Huawei admitted the impact of India’s tariff hikes, but pointed out that it also manufactures in India and that “Make in India” is a
compelling incentive in an important market.
The Commission inquired about Huawei’s views on the new cybersecurity legislation and its impact on China’s business landscape.
Huawei considered that it tackles a trust deficit in the commercial space in China, and that the collective views and acceptance to
such measures are very different from the Western world.
Directorate or unit
TRADE F/3
Internal participants
TRADE F/3
) Participant,
TRADE F/3
Participant,
TRADE F/3
Notetaker,
TRADE C/1
Participant,
Author(s) of minutes
Minutes generated by EMT (Id:TRADE/426)
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Validator and validation date
validated the minutes on 15/06/2018 13:00
Minutes generated by EMT (Id:TRADE/426)
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