HUAWEI MateBook laptops return to Microsoft Store, but why?

Huawei’s MateBook laptops have arguably been hit hardest by the U.S. trade ban against the Chinese manufacturer. The ban affects HUAWEI’s use of Intel chips and Windows software, while also resulting in MateBook laptops being dropped by Microsoft’s U.S. store.

Now, HUAWEI’s laptops have quietly returned to the Microsoft Store in the U.S., with the MateBook 13, MateBook D, and MateBook X Pro all listed on the storefront. HUAWEI isn’t included as a search filter option though, but the return is still big news. So what’s the reason for these devices returning to the website?

“We have been evaluating, and will continue to respond to, the many business, technical and regulatory complexities stemming from the recent addition of HUAWEI to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Export Administration Regulations Entity List,” Microsoft told The Verge in a statement.

“As a result, we are resuming the sale of existing inventory of HUAWEI devices at Microsoft Store,” it added.

In other words, the U.S. trade ban doesn’t seem to extend to devices currently in stock at a retailer’s website. It does suggest that once these HUAWEI laptops are out of stock, Microsoft won’t be bringing in more units (unless the ban is lifted). So if you’re in the U.S. and on the hunt for a HUAWEI laptop, then you’ll want to act fast. You can check out the store listings via the buttons below.