Huawei files motion aimed at speeding up case against the U.S.

In a press statement announcing the motion, Glen Nager, Huawei’s lead counsel for the case, said Section 889 of the 2019 NDAA violates the Bill of Attainder, Due Process, and Vesting Clauses of the United States Constitution. Thus, the case is purely “a matter of law” as there are no facts at issue, thereby justifying the motion for a summary judgement to speed up the process. In the same statement, Song Liuping, Huawei’s chief legal officer, said the company is calling for the U.S. government to end its government-sanctioned campaign against Huawei because it will not deliver cybersecurity. Liuping said that banning Huawei using cybersecurity as an excuse “will do nothing to make networks more secure. They provide a false sense of security and distract attention from the real challenges we face. Politicians in the U.S. are using the strength of an entire nation to come after a private company. This is not normal. Almost never seen in history. The U.S. government has provided no evidence to show that Huawei is a security threat. There is no gun, no smoke. Only speculation,” Song added. In the complaint filed in March, Huawei argues that Section 889 f.3 of the 2019 NDAA, “Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services,” singles out Huawei by name and not only bars U.S. government agencies from buying Huawei equipment and services, but also bars them from contracting with or awarding grants or loans to third parties who buy Huawei equipment or services—even if there is no impact or connection to the U.S. government. Song also addressed the addition of Huawei to the “Entity List” by the U.S. Commerce Department two weeks ago. “This sets a dangerous precedent. Today it's telecoms and Huawei. Tomorrow it could be your industry, your company, your consumers,” he said. “The judicial system is the last line of defense for justice. Huawei has confidence in the independence and integrity of the U.S. judicial system. We hope that mistakes in the NDAA can be corrected by the court,” Song added. Huawei believes that U.S. suppression of Huawei will not help make networks more secure. Huawei expects the U.S. to take the right approach and adopt honest and effective measures to enhance cybersecurity for everyone, if the U.S. government’s real goal is security. A hearing on the motion has been set for September 19.