HUAWEI founder would be 'first to protest' if China banned Apple

The U.S. government’s trade ban against Huawei comes amid rising tensions between the country and China. It’s also led some to wonder whether China would retaliate with sanctions against U.S. tech firms, such as Apple.

But HUAWEI founder Ren Zhengfei told Bloomberg that he would protest a Chinese ban against Apple, calling the Cupertino company his “teacher.”

“That will not happen, first of all. And second of all, if that happens, I’ll be the first to protest,” Ren was quoted as saying. “Apple is my teacher, it’s in the lead. As a student, why go against my teacher? Never.”

Ren also dismissed suggestions that HUAWEI stole U.S. technology, despite numerous claims against the firm.

“I stole the American technologies from tomorrow. The U.S. doesn’t even have those technologies,” he told Bloomberg. Ren added that there would be no reason for President Donald Trump to attack the company if it were behind the U.S.

The HUAWEI founder also admitted that the U.S. ban has affected its 5G lead, but insisted that the company would be able to deliver solutions to fill the gap. Ren didn’t elaborate on a timeline for these replacement solutions to come into effect.

Ren’s comments come as HUAWEI becomes increasingly isolated due to the U.S. ban. Everyone from Intel and Qualcomm to the SD Association and Arm have cut ties with the firm as part of the U.S. order. Do you think China will take action against Apple in response to HUAWEI’s ban? Let us know in the comments!

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