HUAWEI CEO urges US for open policy, would welcome a phone call from Biden

Huawei’s 76-year-old founder and CEO, Ren Zhengfei, has opened up about the company’s US ban for the first time since the Biden government took charge.

Speaking to several Chinese outlets at a roundtable conference, Zhengfei urged the new US administration to have an open policy towards Chinese companies. He also made several statements expressing his thoughts about the ongoing situation.

“Our company does not have the energy to be involved in this political whirlpool. We strive to make good products. We hope that the US government can have a more open policy for the benefit of American companies and the development of the US economy,” he said as per statements published in a new report from South China Morning Post.

Apparently, the executive also said that he would welcome a phone call from POTUS to discuss HUAWEI’s US ban.

“I would welcome such phone calls and the message is around joint development and shared success,” Zhengfei reportedly said in Chinese comments translated by an official interpreter. However, given recent reports, it seems unlikely that the Biden government will respond favorably.

HUAWEI will “never” sell smartphone business

Speaking about HUAWEI’s 5G technology, Zhengfei reiterated that the firm is ready to share resources with US companies in a way that would give them complete control.

“We have said before that our 5G technology can be transferred in its entirety. That includes not only the rights to development but also source programs and source codes. If the US needs our chip technology, we can transfer it. Our words are sincere (but) no company has come to negotiate with us so far,” he said.

Zhengfei went on to brush away recent reports about the possible sale of its Mate and P series brands. He said that HUAWEI “will never sell” its entire smartphone business.

iPhone 12 is the best phone in the world

In a not-so-surprising statement, Zhengfei also called Apple’s iPhone 12 “the world’s best smartphone.” The HUAWEI founder is a known admirer of Apple’s products and also uses some of them regularly. But his latest bout of appreciation also shows a sense of disappointment about HUAWEI’s lost market position in Europe.

“High-end customers in Europe love Apple. Since (Huawei) doesn’t have premium handsets anymore, Apple’s phones have helped us prove that HUAWEI’s 5G technology is good,” he said.

Despite HUAWEI’s US troubles, Zhengfei is hopeful that the company will pull through. “We think our new business development can offset the decrease in revenue in our smartphone business this year,” he added.